Agency UpdatesElder Law, April 2026Learn more about the Social Security Administration's transition to in-house processing at Disability Case Review, and the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Justice regarding needs of individuals who are unable to make health care decisions.
Call for ArticlesElder Law, April 2026Submit your article to the Elder Law Newsletter today!
Court Holds OSHA Standard as Illinois Public Policy in Retaliatory Discharge Claim Against Nursing Home After Complaints of Glove ShortagesBy Lawrence A. MansonElder Law, April 2026In December 2025, the Illinois appellate court considered whether a formerly employed registered nurse could sue his former nursing home employer for retaliatory discharge after his complaints about the facility not maintaining an adequate supply of sterile gloves for staff. The appellate court found that the amended complaint did sufficiently plead the public policy element of a retaliatory discharge claim.
Does Medical Record Discovery Include Audit Trails?By Lawrence A. MansonElder Law, April 2026A First District Appellate Court case, Burnette v. Nockels, 2025 IL App (1st) 240485, explores a potential conflict between federal HIPAA law and Illinois discovery rules concerning the audit trail of medical records.
Elder Law Advocacy UpdatesElder Law, April 2026AARP Fraud Prevention Month and the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline; several bills require action from federal Congress; and the Center for Medicare Advocacy celebrates its 40th anniversary, highlighting the CMA's history, successes, challenges, and vision for the future.
Illinois Supreme Court AnnouncementsElder Law, April 2026The Illinois Supreme Court has announced revised Illinois Pattern Civil Jury Instructions, draft forms for public comment, and new juror compilation procedures.
Mark Your Calendars…Elder Law, April 2026A look ahead at May and upcoming holidays, celebratory days, and commemorative days.
Resource UpdatesElder Law, April 2026Don't forget about the wealth of resources available to you or your client online! The Consumer Federation of America, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and more, all offer various informational resources that can aid in the practice of elder law.
Budget UpdatesElder Law, March 2026A summary of federal and state budget updates that may impact resources and programs that serve the aging population.
Call for ArticlesElder Law, March 2026Learn how you can submit an article for the Elder Law Newsletter!
Court NewsElder Law, March 2026Recent changes at the Illinois Supreme Court include new statewide forms and amendments to Supreme Court Rules 307, 10-101, and 9, while the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit is seeking public comments on potential changes to Circuit Rule 40(e).
Health PrivacyElder Law, March 2026If a covered entity creates or maintains covered SUD records, its Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) must be updated to comply with the effective date of February 14, 2026. Learn more about what a new NPP must contain.
Housing RulemakingElder Law, March 2026On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development filed a notice of proposed rulemaking to prohibit the Secretary from making financial assistance available to persons other than United States citizens or certain categories of eligible noncitizens under specified housing programs.
Illinois Medical Debt Relief ProgramElder Law, March 2026Last month, Governor Pritzker announced that the State of Illinois has erased over $1.1 billion in medical debt for more than half a million Illinoisans through the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program.
Illinois Multisector Plan for AgingElder Law, March 2026The Department on Aging recently has released EngAging Illinois: A Comprehensive Plan for Living Well, establishing a decade-long blueprint to support healthy aging in the state, while also addressing issues related to healthcare, housing, transportation, and other social determinants of health.
Important Resources and Upcoming CLE OpportunitiesElder Law, March 2026A compilation of resources that may be helpful for your practice or your clients, and don't miss upcoming CLE programs sponsored by the Elder Law Section Council and the Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services.
Mark Your Calendars…Elder Law, March 2026April brings several observatory months, including National Financial Literacy Month and National Volunteer Month; holidays, such as Easter; and celebratory days, including Denim Day and National Scrabble Day.
News CornerElder Law, March 2026A roundup of recent news, including Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, scam alerts, and an update for the National Strategy for Financial Literacy.
Reverse Mortgages, Medicaid, and Help To Remain in Your HomeBy Leonard F. BergElder Law, March 2026An inquiry on the ISBA Central discussion group for Trusts and Estates asked whether a reverse mortgage would disqualify a person from receiving Medicaid benefits. The simple response is that Medicaid disqualification is not automatic; however, the larger issue is identifying resources to help a client to remain in their home.
Advocating for Yourself to Better Advocate for Your Clients: The Taboo Topic of Self-CareBy Isabella MazzantiElder Law, February 2026Next time you may feel guilty about taking time for yourself and away from work, remember that you cannot be an effective advocate without self-care. In other words, self-care doesn’t compete with hard work, it protects it.
The Best Thing That Ever Happened to MeBy Curt W. FergusonElder Law, February 2026A reflection of a farmer's rags-to-riches story, and his hope for his children and grandchildren to reach success and happiness.
Black History MonthElder Law, February 2026Chicago's rich history provides many landmarks that you can visit during Black History Month or any time of year: from the Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Monument, to Douglass Park, to the Obama Kissing Rock, and so many other sites.
Call for ArticlesElder Law, February 2026Read about how you can submit your articles for the Elder Law Section Newsletter.
Elder Law Case Summaries: October 1, 2025, Through December 31, 2025Elder Law, February 2026A collection of case summaries that may be useful for an elder law practitioner, including developments relating to guardianships; wills, trusts, and estates; social security disability; and medical malpractice.
Mark Your Calendars…Elder Law, February 2026A look ahead at March and upcoming awareness days and holidays.
My Rural Ag Law Practice: So What’s in My Tech Stack?By Cari Brett RinckerElder Law, February 2026An in-depth review of different technology that can make your law practice run smoother, from office management to AI, and everything in between.
Postal ChangesElder Law, February 2026In December 2025, the U.S. Postal Service announced several changes regarding postal processes, including changes to postmark dating, making change for cash transactions, and increases in rates for certain shipping services.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramElder Law, February 2026The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has brought many changes to several areas of law and federal programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. These changes will alter eligibility requirements, potentially impacting a large swath of the nearly 2 million individuals who rely on this assistance in Illinois.
Unclaimed PropertyElder Law, February 2026February 1 was National Unclaimed Property Day. Unclaimed property includes forgotten or overlooked bank accounts; certificates of deposit; stocks and bonds; overpayments, refunds, and uncashed rebate checks; unpaid insurance claims; the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes; and more.
