Articles From J.A. Sebastian

Cook County’s Department of Administrative Hearings: The new kid on the block By J.A. Sebastian State and Local Taxation, January 2009 In today’s litigious society, more and more matters are being initially handled outside of the courts and in administrative proceedings—especially matters that involve government enforcement, compliance and collection.
Less is more: Lessons from BLINK By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, January 2009 BLINK: THE POWER OF THINKING WITHOUT THINKING is about thinking in new ways about how we think. How valid is a first impression? What factors are considered? How often (who has time?) do we even think about how we think.
Chair’s Column: The Section really does a lot for its members! By J.A. Sebastian General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, December 2008 Thanks to our newsletter co-editors, John Phipps of Champaign and Judge Edna Turkington-Viktora of Chicago, who devote so much time and effort to assure that the General Practice newsletter is a quality resource for you.
Practice Tip – Improving Skills: Your Witness (2008) By J.A. Sebastian Bench and Bar, December 2008 On December 5, 2008, the Bench & Bar Section Council will present a Trial Practice and Advocacy – Getting it Right, at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office located at 20 South Clark, 9th Floor. Members of the Section are entitled to a $10 discount for each CLE sponsored by the Section – a significant benefit of section membership.
Chair’s column By J.A. Sebastian General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, September 2008 Once again I repeat the scope/mission statement of the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section Council: “To promote professional excellence among those engaged in the general practice of law through education relating to substantive legal practice areas and by providing opportunities for the exchange of information particularly pertinent to the needs of solo and small firm practitioners.
Thank you for 37 years of editorial work on the Administrative Law Newsletter, Paul By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, August 2008 Newsletter editor Paul Freehling has served as the first and only editor of this fabulous newsletter since 1971.
From the Magna Carta to Lincoln… words to guide us in the 21st Century By J.A. Sebastian Bench and Bar, July 2008 Lincoln’s words are one of seven quotations carved in concrete at the entrance to the Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale.
Amendment to FMLA of 1993 covers care for injured or ill service members and for “qualifying exigency” By J.A. Sebastian General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2008 On January 28, 2008, President Bush signed an amendment to the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 (NDAA) (Pub. L. 110-181).
From State ALJ to Federal District Court Judge: Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer’s professional progression By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, March 2008 On February 4, 2008, the Administrative Law Judges Committee of the Chicago Bar Association presented the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer as the guest speaker at its monthly lunch meeting.
An MCLE program on “Colleagues in Crisis” By J.A. Sebastian Bench and Bar, December 2007 On Friday, December 7, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., at part of the ISBA Midyear Meeting at the Sheraton in Chicago, the ISBA Bench & Bar Section and Illinois Judges Association, together with the Commission on Professionalism of the Illinois Supreme Court, will present “Colleagues in Crisis.
An example of amendments that create new problems in Administrative Law By J.A. Sebastian Bench and Bar, November 2007 The following is a brief summary of attempts by the General Assembly to address a civil practice-pleading problem that, by piecemeal amendments, has actually generated more problems than the original legislation was enacted to address.
Legislative update: Ten new Public Acts that affect general practice By J.A. Sebastian General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, November 2007 The following is a summary of recent legislative action of interest to members of the ISBA General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Section.
Recent legislation By J.A. Sebastian & Paul E. Freehling Administrative Law, September 2007 On August 21, 2007, Public Act 95-321 (SB29) became law.
Can a corporation file a complaint for administrative review? Siakpere says no. By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, August 2007 In a recent appellate court decision, Siakpere v. City of Chicago, the Illinois appellate court reminds practitioners that a complaint filed by a non-lawyer on behalf of a corporation is null and void from the beginning.
Amendments to administrative practice: Is a central core panel a good idea? By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, June 2007 A central core panel is the heart of Illinois Senate Bill 58, introduced on January 31, 2007, by Senator Harmon, which would amend the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and create the Office of Administrative Hearings under the jurisdiction of the Governor, at 5 ILCS 100/12-5. 
Guidance on the Illinois Administrative Review Law By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, March 2007 For those members who do not regularly review the ISBA Web site electronically (www.isba.org), or link to the Administrative Law Section Council, here’s a quick screen-saver from that Section’s link that provides the mission of the ISBA Administrative Law Section.
McGaw Medical Center’s fall into the ARL’s dangerous minefield By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, January 2007 When relief is sought from an adverse decision involving a claim for unemployment compensation benefits, who are the necessary-party defendants in a complaint seeking administrative review of that decision?
Thoughts about conflicts of interest By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, November 2006 A good friend in another state practices in a highly regulated industry, represents people before the state agency, and has written and lectured extensively in that field.
New court security restrictions in 9th Circuit By J.A. Sebastian Bench and Bar, September 2006 Jodi Pospeschil, reporter for Peoria Journal Star (pjstar.com), recently reported that, beginning September 1, 2006, the chief judge of the 9th Judicial Circuit has banned from the six western Illinois courthouses all cellular telephones, cameras, and video and audio recording devices.
Arête and Atticus Finch By J.A. Sebastian Young Lawyers Division, August 2006 Mike Papantonio, who organized the mass tort practice at Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Eschner & Proctor in Pensacola, Florida, will speak during the kickoff plenary session of the second annual ISBA SOLO AND SMALL FIRM CONFERENCE to be held at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles on Thursday, September 14, 2006.
Ahmad v. Board of Education of the City of Chicago, — Ill. App. 3d ___. 847 N.E.2d 810 (1st Dist. 2006) By J.A. Sebastian Labor and Employment Law, July 2006 The Board of Education of the City of Chicago (“Board”) terminated Rita Ahmad (“Ahmad”), a tenured public school teacher, who then filed a complaint for administrative review pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Review Law, 735 ILCS 5/3-101 through 5-3-113, as provided in the Illinois School Code at 105 ILCS 5/24-16.
Legislation update of interest to the general practitioner By J.A. Sebastian General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, July 2006 The following is a summary of recent legislative action of interest to ISBA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm section members.
A book review and personal recommendation By J.A. Sebastian Bench and Bar, June 2006 Three strings walk into a bar….
Unintended consequences of administrative review law amendments snare the unwary By J.A. Sebastian Bench and Bar, June 2006 Every case is first of all a story, and all stories have a beginning and an ending. Some endings leave you wanting more.
Rodriguez reiterates the 35-day rule of the administrative review law By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, February 2006 The time has come to speak of rules, and slips, and who's been lax. In Rodriguez v. Sheriff's Merit Commission of Kane County, No. 100165, the court considered whether the circuit court should have granted a section 2-0619 motion to dismiss a complaint filed pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Review Law (735 ILCS 5/3-101 though 3-113 (West 2002)) (“ARL”) on the basis of subject matter jurisdiction. 
Unintended consequences of ARL amendments snare the unwary By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, February 2006 Every case is first of all a story, and all stories have a beginning and an ending. Some endings leave you wanting more.
Administrative review: Unintended consequences of ARL amendments snares the unwary. Strict compliance with statutes are required to obtain administrative review By J.A. Sebastian General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, January 2006 Every case is first of all a story, and all stories have a beginning and an ending. Some endings leave you wanting more.
Lawyers lending a helping hand—Katrina relief By Ann Breen-Greco, J.A. Sebastian, & Vickie Gillio Administrative Law, November 2005 Lawyers throughout the nation individually and through professional organizations have risen to the challenge of Hurricane Katrina and are giving a helping hand to address the many-faceted ramifications of the Katrina Disaster.
Illinois Judicial Circuit Rules Directory By J.A. Sebastian Bench and Bar, September 2005 Technology has changed reliance on yellow legal pads as cell phones and personal digital assistant ("PDAs") assume a greater use among lawyers for noting dockets and phone numbers.
Walters reiterates that not all administrative action is reviewable By J.A. Sebastian Administrative Law, August 2005 Although the Illinois Constitution grants an appeal as a matter of right from all final judgments of the circuit court (Ill. Const. 1970, art. VI, @ 6), there is no constitutional right to appeal administrative decisions.

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