Fred Lane’s Trial Techniques Institute - Fall Semester 2025

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

Improve your trial skills in this “learn-by-doing” program that covers all phases of trial work from both a plaintiff/prosecutor and defendant’s viewpoint, in both civil and criminal cases. Through this course, you will learn and practice new trial techniques that are most effective and consistent with the Illinois Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Evidence. Each session is audio-video taped so you can see and hear the improvements in your voice, manner, and trial technique.

Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Michael Cabonargi As At-Large Circuit Judge in Cook County

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

Justice Joy V. Cunningham and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Michael Cabonargi as an At-Large Circuit Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. Cabonargi is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mary Ellen Coglan. Mr. Cabonargi’s appointment is effective June 13, 2025, and will conclude on December 7, 2026.

Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Launches Bullying Prevention Challenge for Lawyers and Bar Associations

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is calling on lawyers and bar associations to stand up to bullying in the legal profession. The Commission has launched a six-day Stand Up to Bullying Challenge at its Standing Up to Intimidation: Confronting Bullying in the Legal Profession summit on June 10, 2025.

A federal judge has flushed a class action alleging Procter & Gamble misled consumers into believing they’d won a year’s supply of Charmin toilet paper.

From: 
Legal Newsline

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan’s lawyers accused prosecutors of a “gross breach of the rules” Monday, complaining that the feds “gratuitously plastered Madigan’s estimated net worth” in a public court filing leading up to his sentencing this week.

From: 
Northern Public Radio

Amid the waning hours of its spring legislative session, the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill which, if the governor signs, would significantly expand Illinois courts’ jurisdictional reach to foreign corporations in toxic tort litigation.

From: 
The National Law Review

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday announced they intend to retry state Sen. Emil Jones III after his April trial on charges of bribery and lying to the FBI ended in a hung jury.

From: 
Capitol News Illinois

Gun rights advocates once again are asking a federal appeals court in Chicago to overturn Illinois’ ban on assault-style firearms and large-capacity magazines in a case that may be destined for the U.S. Supreme Court.

From: 
Belleville News-Democrat

A federal ruling restoring AmeriCorps grant funding in states that sued over the Trump administration's dismantling of the program may help keep important legal assistance available in McLean County.

From: 
WGLT

The “Clean Slate” Act, which could have sealed thousands and potentially millions of nonviolent criminal records in Illinois, had bipartisan support but failed to pass in the final flurry of legislative action this spring, the sponsor says.

From: 
WREX