Experiences in the Rural Practice ProgramBy Matthew WellsRural Practice, October 2025A reflection on the Rural Practice Fellowship Program as a non-traditional law student.
Extended Producer Responsibility Laws in 2025By Sydney Weiss & Emily N. MasalskiEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, January 2025Extended Producer Responsibility laws represent a pivotal shift in environmental policy, encouraging producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, including post-consumer waste. EPR laws are designed to reduce landfill waste; promote recycling, composting, and use of post-consumer recycled content; and require manufacturers to address the environmental impact of their products. These laws require “producers” (typically defined as those who manufacture the package) to manage the collection, recycling, or disposal of products after they have reached the end of their useful lives, typically by financing recycling programs or implementing take-back programs.
Externships Provide Real-Law ExperienceBy Judge Michael J. ChmielBench and Bar, December 2025The value of externships is immeasurable. Through externships, we can impart good practices and get help when resources are scant. In our digital age, technology allows students to Zoom into a courtroom from miles away, access court files, and engage prompt communications through telephone, email, and text.
Externships Provide Real-Law ExperienceBy Judge Michael J. ChmielLaw-Related Education for the Public, November 2025The value of externships is immeasurable. Through externships, we can impart good practices and get help when resources are scant. In our digital age, technology allows students to Zoom into a courtroom from miles away, access court files, and engage prompt communications through telephone, email, and text.
Farmer’s Daughter: How a Federal Court Pushed Agriculture Biotech Back DecadesBy Amanda ZaluckyjFood Law, January 2025Early in December, the Northern California District Court vacated rules adopted in 2020 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The lawsuit, brought by anti-bioengineering activists (pretending to be worried about family farms), reinstates a regulatory framework in place since 1986, while the technology was only in its infancy—and not yet even commercially available.
FDA To Revoke 52 Obsolete Standards of Identity for Food ProductsBy Dave FusaroFood Law, August 2025The FDA announced on July 16 that it is revoking or proposing to revoke 52 food standards of identity after concluding they are obsolete and unnecessary. The standards are for canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, macaroni products and other foods.
Featured CaseInsurance Law, May 2025The First District Appellate Court decision in Chicago Restaurant Management Group, LLC v. Great American Ins. Co. involves the issue of whether two claims arose from “related wrongful acts” so as to bar coverage for the second claim because the D&O insurer had not been given notice of the earlier claim.
Featured CaseInsurance Law, February 2025A look at Menard, Inc. v. Illinois Farmers Ins. Co., a case of interest to insurance law practitioners, from the Third District of the Illinois Appellate Court.
February SALT Section Council Meeting MinutesState and Local Taxation, April 2025Meeting minutes from the ISBA State & Local Taxation Section Council Meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
Felons Eligible to Run for Office: Airhart v. Municipal Officers Electoral Board for the Village of Riverdale, IllinoisBy Zachary FryeLocal Government Law, April 2025A question of statutory construction regarding the Illinois Municipal Code and the election of municipal officers recently came before the 1st District Appellate Court. Prior to the consolidated primary election that was held on February 25, 2025, Michael Airhart filed a signed “statement of candidacy” to run for Village President of Riverdale, Illinois. As part of that statement, Airhart affirmed that he was “legally qualified” to hold the office. A ballot objection was filed with the Electoral Board for the Village of Riverdale, alleging that Airhart was not legally qualified, as he had been convicted of three felonies and was not pardoned by the Governor. Airhart argued that he is not precluded from seeking office, only from holding it, and that he was in the process of having his rights restored. The Electoral Board sustained the objection, which was then appealed to the Circuit Court of Cook County. The circuit court reversed the Electoral Board’s judgment.
Fewer Sleepless Nights for Mechanics Lien Claimants’ CounselBy James M. DashConstruction Law, November 2025If you represent claimants in actions under the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act, don't find yourself on the wrong side of statutory deadlines. However, a case from the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho, In re Millenkamp Cattle, Inc., may offer some comfort.
The Fifth TruthBy Michael J. RooneySenior Lawyers, February 2025The beginning of a new year often brings with it the need (or maybe it’s just a tradition) to make resolutions about what we’ll do this year to make it different from (and, presumably, better than) last year. Personally, I’m not big on new year’s resolutions for I find that they come and go and, in reality, very little changes based on how this year’s resolutions differ from those I so carefully thought through, wrote down, and consistently abandoned, in prior years. What I am big on is choosing always to be happy.
A Final Note from the Outgoing ChairBy Alan JedlickaEnergy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation, June 2025As my term as Chair of the ISBA’s Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation Council comes to an end, I would like to thank you all for your collaboration, friendship, trust, and encouragement. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Chair and to work together on the issues and initiatives that impact our various practice areas and the diverse sectors we represent.
The Flinn ReportBy Elaine SpencerFood Law, October 2025The Department of Public Health has proposed various amendments to the Manufacturing, Processing, Packing or Holding of Food Code, relating to facilities, permits, and fees; and the Departmen of Agriculture has also proposed various amendments to the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, regarding plant monitoring systems and fees.
The Flinn ReportFood Law, July 2025The Flinn Report is a weekly summary of regulatory actions of State agencies published in the Illinois Register and action taken by the Illinois General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The Flinn Report honors founding JCAR member Representative Monroe Flinn, and is designed to inform and involve the public in changes taking place in agency administration.
The Flinn ReportFood Law, April 2025The Flinn Report is a weekly summary of regulatory actions of State agencies published in the Illinois Register and action taken by the Illinois General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR).
Flinn Report on May 16, 2025Food Law, June 2025The Flinn Report, dated May 16, 2025, includes proposed and adopted rules that may be of interest to the Food Law Section.
Flinn Report Summary: October 31, 2025, Through December 1, 2025By Joseph P. O’KeefeTrusts and Estates, December 2025A quick overview of regulatory decisions that may impact trust and estate practices, discussing the proposed rule to establish a scholarship program for early childhood directors and other educators; proposed amendment to rule to remove transcripts of state and federal tax returns as proof of residency; amendments to require renewal and licensing fees for collection agencies; and more.
A Focus on Children’s RightsBy Elizabeth Clarke & Bridget SchottChild Law, April 2025An introduction to the second half of the issue from Newsletter Co-Editors Elizabeth Clarke and Bridget Schott.
Food and Beverage News and TrendsBy Stefanie Fogel, Maggie Craig, Sharon May, & Amy PressmanFood Law, March 2025FDA issues final guidance on lead in baby food; revises fifth edition of Q&A on food allergen labelling requirements; publishes final guidance on public health importance of non-listed food allergens; releases guidance on LMRTEs; warns industry about toxic mushrooms; and more.
Food for Thought: Intellectual Property Protection for Recipes and Food DesignsBy Kurt M. Saunders & Valerie FluggeFood Law, January 2025This article considers how intellectual property law has been applied to protect recipes and food designs, along with broader issues relating to how these rights may overlap and their implications for competition.
A Foot in Each Canoe Is Getting Harder: Deploying Value-Based Care Models Amid Competing DemandsBy Sumaya M. NoushHealth Care Law, May 2025Despite growing interest in value-based care (VBC), most U.S. hospitals and health systems have not fully transitioned from the traditional fee-for-service (FFS) model due to financial, operational, and competitive challenges. Some progress has been made, especially in primary care and specialties like nephrology, supported by successful CMS pilot programs. However, political shifts, particularly upcoming changes under the Trump Administration, may reshape federal priorities for VBC. While full adoption remains slow, hospitals can take meaningful steps now—like improving data analytics, care coordination, and evidence-based clinical practices—to prepare for and succeed in a value-based future.
Formalities for Family Farm Estate Plan – The Promissory NoteBy Alan E. StumpfAgricultural Law, April 2025This article contains checklists for practitioners to use when drafting the family loan component of an operating agreement buyout or land sale.
Foundational Requirements for Overweight Trucking CasesBy Terrence WallaceTraffic Laws and Courts, July 2025Lessons learned from People v. LaForce, 2024 IL App (3d) 230328-U for foundational requirements at a trial for overweight tickets.
