Lashly & Baer, P.C. To Open Edwardsville Office as Part of Strategic Growth

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

 ST. LOUIS – Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 – Lashly & Baer, P.C. announced today that it will open a new office in Edwardsville, Illinois effective January 1, 2026. The new location expands the firm’s presence in Illinois and reinforces its long-term commitment to serving clients throughout the Metro East and surrounding communities.

New Illinois law makes cocktails-to-go permanent among other changes

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a bipartisan law making a host of changes, including making cocktails-to-go permanent in the state.

From: 
NBC 5 Chicago

Illinois Court of Claims launches online filing and remote hearings

Illinois claimants can now file cases online and attend remote hearings as the state’s Court of Claims goes digital.

From: 
The State Journal-Register

Decorated Navy vet imprisoned 28 years in his wife's death gets $13 million settlement

Herman Williams was found guilty of his wife’s 1993 death. Williams sued members of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, the state’s attorneys office and medical examiner two years ago alleging misconduct.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Kane County officials: Police can’t enforce new law banning civil immigration arrests at courthouses

The Kane County sheriff and state’s attorney say local police officers won’t be able to enforce a new Illinois law that prohibits federal immigration agents from making civil arrests at courthouses.

From: 
Daily Herald

Illinois leaders ‘won’t back down’ following Trump’s order limiting AI regulation

Illinois lawmakers vowed to keep fighting for protections against artificial intelligence after President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to shield tech companies from state laws.

From: 
Capitol News Illinois

Holiday Gift Guide 2025

Posted on December 15, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

Still looking for holiday gift ideas for colleagues? Check out the Illinois Bar Journal’s “Holiday Gift Guide 2025,” written by Pointers From Practice HQ columnists Jeffrey S. Krause and Jeffrey S. Schoenberger. The list includes productivity products, apps, gadgets, and other items that will bring value, efficiency, and perhaps even a bit of fun to your working day.

Lunchtime FOIA Series: Freedom of Information Act Best Practices: A Discussion with the Public Access Counselor

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by ISBA’s Standing Committee on Government Lawyers
Co-presented by the ISBA Local Government Law Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­December 15, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss Part 4 of this lunchtime series that discusses the most common FOIA disputes brought to the Public Access Counselor (PAC), what to expect during the Request for Review process with the PAC, and the new developments in binding opinions. Additional topics include: the requirements of FOIA that go beyond responding to requests, the best practice tips you need to know when responding to Requests for Review, and the concerning trends in FOIA disputes.


Program Coordinators:
Bianca B. Brown, Pretzel & Stouffer, Chicago
Michele K. Niermann, Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., Chicago

Program Moderator:
Michele K. Niermann, Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Bianca B. Brown, Pretzel & Stouffer, Chicago

Program Speaker:
Leah Bartelt, Public Access Counselor, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Chicago



Program Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free