Section Newsletters

Articles From 2017

What constitutes a “sufficient public recital” of a final action to be taken by a public body? By Michael Weinstein Administrative Law, May 2017 In a rare defeat for the Illinois Attorney General, the Illinois Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the Attorney General erred with respect to the issuance of a binding opinion finding violations of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
What constitutes being a “public body” subject to the provisions of FOIA – Better Government Association v. Illinois High School Association, et al. By Patrick T. Driscoll, Jr. Education Law, December 2017 The Illinois Supreme Court, in Better Government Association v. Illinois High School Association, et al., determined that the Illinois High School Association was not a “public body” as defined by the Freedom of Information Act
What constitutes being a “public body” subject to the provisions of FOIA – Better Government Association v. Illinois High School Association, et al. By Patrick T. Driscoll, Jr. Government Lawyers, December 2017 The Illinois Supreme Court, in Better Government Association v. Illinois High School Association, et al., determined that the Illinois High School Association was not a “public body” as defined by the Freedom of Information Act
What do I have to do to get them to pay the award? By Richard D. Hannigan Workers’ Compensation Law, June 2017 A summary of Brittany M. Theis v IWCC et al.
What does the Second Amendment really mean? By Mitchell Goldberg Bench and Bar, April 2017 An examination of the historical framework behind this divisive issue.
What family law practitioners need to know about cyberstalking By Marie K. Sarantakis Family Law, May 2017 Today’s family law attorney must have a cursory understanding of the legal framework concerning privacy issues in order to adequately instruct their clients about actions for which they may be found civilly and/or criminally liable.
What federal Magistrate Judges do and why they can or can’t do it By Hon. Tom Schanzle-Haskins Bench and Bar, May 2017 A summary of the basic rules regarding a Magistrate Judge’s authority to rule on matters which are deemed dispositive or non-dispositive under the Magistrate Judges Act and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
What federal Magistrate Judges do and why they can or can’t do it By Hon. Tom Schanzle-Haskins Federal Civil Practice, April 2017 A summary of the basic rules regarding a Magistrate Judge’s authority to rule on matters which are deemed dispositive or non-dispositive under the Magistrate Judges Act and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
What I learned about being a lawyer from being a client By Karen Vandermeer Young Lawyers Division, December 2017 Despite having spent years providing advice and counsel to clients, the author was recently on the client end of the attorney-client relationship and the experience affirmed and reshaped her understanding of client management.
What is Avvo & is it worth my time? By Vincent A. Oppedisano Young Lawyers Division, October 2017 Founded in 2006, Avvo has become one of the most popular tools used by the public to research lawyers and legal services.
What is legal aid? By Lura January Law Related Education for the Public, February 2017 Legal aid programs provide legal services to people who need civil legal assistance but cannot afford to pay for the services of an attorney.
What is the Jones Act? By Lauren Evans DeJong Law Related Education for the Public, October 2017 The Jones Act has been in the news lately, most particularly with calls for waiver of the Act. But what is the Jones Act?
What may the Concealed Carry License Review Board properly consider when granting or denying a permit? By Patrick T. Driscoll, Jr. Government Lawyers, March 2017 The ruling in Perez v. The Illinois Concealed Carry Licensing Review Bd. provides direction as to what information may be considered when approving or denying a conceal carry permit application.
What needs to be in a good order of protection petition? By Sally K. Kolb Family Law, March 2017 This article will help walk a practitioner through the process of fact-gathering, properly preparing and filing the Verified Petition for Order of Protection, and representing the Petitioner in an Emergency Order of Protection.
What the bench and bar should do for justice By Zel M. Fischer Bench and Bar, November 2017 A reprint of Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice's recent address in Kansas City.
What traits make for a good lawyer? What about a good judge? By Hon. Michael B. Hyman Bench and Bar, June 2017 It turns out that good lawyers and good judges share what it takes to distinguish themselves and stand out among their peers. Their “good” traits are not so different from one another and are interchangeable, reciprocal, and mutual. That is, traits befitting a good lawyer apply with equal force to a good judge.
What’s app? Government Lawyers, September 2017 A look at some helpful apps that could save you time.
What’s been on my mind By Hon. Michael P. Kiley, (Ret.) Bench and Bar, December 2017 A personal health journey provided by retired judge Michael Kiley.
What’s your succession plan? By Kerry M. Lavelle Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2017 There are basically four strategies to consider for a law firm succession plan: sell to colleagues; sell to a third party; liquidate the business and move on; or transition the business to family members.
When can I destroy my records? By Kevin J. Stine Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2017 In March 2017 the ISBA issued Advisory Professional Conduct Advisory Opinion 17-02 to help attorneys find a solution for this common question.
When is it Weingarten? An employee’s right to a union rep during employer questioning By David Amerson Labor and Employment Law, April 2017 Despite its age, the 42-year-old U.S. Supreme Court decision in N.L.R.B. v. J. Weingarten, Inc., still generates confusion among employers attempting to heed it, and hesitancy among workers attempting to invoke it.
When to award attorney fees in divorce cases according to the Illinois Supreme Court By Rachael Bernal Family Law, April 2017 In In re Heroy, the Illinois Supreme Court recently tackled the question of whether and when to award attorney fees in divorce cases.
Where is agriculture, and therefore agricultural law, headed? By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, March 2017 A look at the results of a recent USDA study that may possibly predict what legal issues we might need to be prepared for in the future.
Whither the Doctrine of Implied Warranty of Habitability in new construction—did the Illinois Supreme Court change course in Fattah v. Bim? By Joseph R. Fortunato, Jr. Real Estate Law, January 2017 The recently decided case of Board of Managers of the 1120 Club Condominium Association v. 1120 Club, LLC, et al, seems to breathe new life into the concept of the Implied Warranty of Habitability, but important questions remain unanswered.
Who gets the painting on the living room wall? By Cary A. Lind Business Advice and Financial Planning, October 2017 Distributing tangible property can be one of the most trying tasks that a fiduciary has, whether the distribution is through a Probate estate or through a trust.
Who gets the painting on the living room wall? By Cary A. Lind Elder Law, September 2017 Distributing tangible property can be one of the most trying tasks that a fiduciary has, whether the distribution is through a Probate estate or through a trust.
Who gets the painting on the living room wall? By Cary A. Lind Trusts and Estates, September 2017 Distributing tangible property can be one of the most trying tasks that a fiduciary has, whether the distribution is through a Probate estate or through a trust.
Who gets to make the call: U Visas, Immigration Judges and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals By Patrick M. Kinnally International and Immigration Law, December 2017 Once a U-nonimmigrant has obtained such status he/she may adjust to lawful permanent resident status provided certain conditions are met. Sound like good policy? It's not, according to the administrators.
Who really regulates attorneys in Illinois? By Ralph J. Schumann Real Estate Law, December 2017 In April, 2017, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation initiated prosecutions of two Illinois attorneys for alleged violation of the Real Estate Appraisal Licensing Act of 2002. But far from purporting to act as appraisers, or engaging in the development of appraisals, however, the attorneys were engaging in the practice of law.
Why construction law? By Stanley N. Wasser Construction Law, March 2017 Trying to decide which area of law to practice? Here's why you should consider construction law.