Important: Immediate change to the filing of criminal notices of appeal

Effective January 1st, trial clerks will no longer be required to file a Notice of Appeal in criminal cases when the defendant is represented by counsel. Instead, defense attorneys will be responsible for filing timely Notices of Appeal.

From: 
The Bar News

Feds won't try to prove gang membership for man charged with putting a bounty on Greg Bovino

Prosecutors told a judge Wednesday they haven’t abandoned their theory that Juan Espinoza Martinez is a ranking member of the Latin Kings, but they say the crucial question will be his “affinity” for the gang.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

'Hope & support for victims': Prosecutors say domestic battery conviction sends a message

The Adams County State’s Attorney’s Office says a jury's conviction of a Quincy man for domestic battery this week sends a message that there's hope and support for all victims of domestic violence.

From: 
KHQA

Illinois bill would update disability terms across state laws

A newly proposed bill in the Illinois House would mandate changes to how people with disabilities are identified in state law.

From: 
Journal Courier

Louis George Apostol Will Continue To Serve Another Term as Public Administrator of Cook County

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

Governor J.B. Pritzker recently announced that Louis George Apostol will continue to serve another term as Public Administrator of Cook County.

Mr. Apostol has a distinguished 45-year career as a practicing attorney in Illinois. He has been reappointed to this position multiple times since 1991. He formerly served as Executive Director & General Counsel to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board and was appointed Commissioner/Trial Judge on the Illinois Court of Claims.

Notice of Planned Service Interruption

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) will soon begin the process of converting to a new association management system (AMS).  Our AMS is the membership database that serves as the backbone for most of our technology systems, including the ISBA website (isba.org).  In preparation of our AMS conversion, we will experience a “data freeze” beginning on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 4:30 pm.  From the beginning of this data freeze through the launch of our new AMS, members will not be able to:

ISBA Member Trip — MLB Spring Training Opening Weekend

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

Don’t miss out on this unique ISBA member experience! Watch the Cubs play two roaring games during opening weekend of MLB Spring Training. Join other ISBA members as baseball season kicks off with the Cubs vs White Sox on Friday, February 20, followed by the Cubs vs Rangers on Saturday, February 21, at Sloan Park in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona.

Immigration law, policy scholar to present SIU Simmons Law School Lesar Lecture

Immigration law and policy scholar César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández will discuss federal courts and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies when he presents the Hiram H. Lesar Distinguished Lecture on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Southern Illinois University’s Simmons Law School.

From: 
WSIU