Section Newsletters

Articles on Rural Practice Section Council

Child Support in Illinois—Multiple Answers to a Single Question By Nancy Chausow Shafer Rural Practice, April 2025 This article discusses allocation of the dependent tax exemption and designation of the majority-time parent—two tax-related choices often misunderstood and used incorrectly.
Thirteen Red Flags for Spotting Problem Clients By Matthew Benson Rural Practice, April 2025 The purpose of this article is to provide a list of “red flags:” the phrases that problematic or regrettable clients say or make reference to in initial consultations, so that they can be spotted early and encouraged to find counsel more suited to their disposition. If a client exhibits any of the following, it might be wise to question the wisdom of allowing them to hire you. 
An Update from the Chair By Angel Wawrzynek Rural Practice, April 2025 A message from the chair regarding recent section council activity.
The Use of a Police Report at Trial to Refresh the Recollection of an Investigating Officer and the Application of the Hearsay Rule and the Exceptions: Capsel v. Burwell By Richard L. Turner, Jr. Rural Practice, April 2025 In analysis of Capsel v. Burwell, 2024 IL App (3d) 230170. In this case, the truth and accuracy of the officer’s report could not be established in that he did not witness the collision and could not identify who provided the statements. The officer’s testimony lacked the necessary foundation and was inadmissible under the past recollection recorded exception, or any other exception, to the hearsay rule. The appellate court then found that the trial court’s act of admitting the statements in the report into evidence constituted reversible error meriting a new trial.
The Corporate Transparency Act: A New Era of Business Accountability By Nikhil A. Mehta Rural Practice, October 2024 The Corporate Transparency Act, which aims to enhance transparency among business entities by combating illicit financial activities and bolstering efforts by the federal government to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes, went into effect on January 1.
Guilty Pleas Following People v. Wells By Hon. Randy Rosenbaum Rural Practice, October 2024 The Illinois Supreme Court considered whether a defendant is entitled to additional jail credit after a negotiated plea in People v. Wells.
Nice Trust, But What’s in It? Analyzing Funding for Revocable Trusts By Cameron T. Lythberg Rural Practice, October 2024 A trust should include a schedule of assets so that a successor trustee knows what assets are in the trust they have been tasked with administering.
A Rural Practitioner’s Plea for Action By Lindy A. Giesler Rural Practice, October 2024 While rural Illinois was once the home to a greater number of legal practitioners and law firms, these firms have struggled in recent years to attract new attorneys that are willing to take positions in rural areas.
Two Wrongs Do Not Make a Right: Illinois Adopts the ‘Partial Breach’ Doctrine By Ronald D. Menna, Jr. Rural Practice, October 2024 Illinois follows the “first-to-breach" rule, which holds a material breach of a contract provision by one party may be grounds for releasing the other party from its contractual obligations.
Welcome to the Rural Practice Section By Angel Wawrzynek Rural Practice, October 2024 The Rural Practice Section Newsletter is intended to circulate articles and information from the various sections addressing substantive legal updates as well as addressing law practice management and other topics of interest to general rural practitioners. 

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