Homeschooling in IllinoisBy Erin Wilson & Juliana BrannanFamily Law, June 2025Illinois public schools educate thousands of children each day. These schools are directly regulated and reviewed by the state, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). However, many homeschooled children's education slips through the cracks in Illinois. Most states have some type of regulations and monitoring in place, yet Illinois is in the minority with the fewest regulations and no monitoring regarding homeschooling.
Homicidal vs. Suicidal IntentBy Dan FultzCriminal Justice, May 2025Fultz's article uses the case, People v. Oelerich, to illustrate how suicidal intent does not exempt a defendant from a first-degree murder conviction. In Oelerich, the defendant deliberately crashed his car while under the influence, claiming he intended to die, not to harm others. The court upheld his first-degree murder conviction, ruling that the act still met the knowledge standard since he knowingly created a strong probability of harming others. Suicidal intent does not negate the knowledge required for first-degree murder if the conduct foreseeably endangers others.
How Bezos, Zuckerberg, Gates, and Musk Are Trying—Or Not Trying—to Make Meat SustainableBy Seth MillsteinFood Law, February 2025Our food systems are in serious need of an overhaul. Over the last 60 years, per-capita meat consumption has roughly doubled, and is now at unsustainable levels. During that same period of time, the number of billionaires in the world has increased dramatically as well. This confluence of trends raises an important question: what, if anything, are the world’s billionaires doing to fix our food systems, and help us transition into a more climate-friendly way of eating?
How To Deal With Difficult Personalities as a GALBy Erin Wilson, Juliana Brannan, & Emily RuweFamily Law, July 2025When a Guardian ad Litem ("GAL") is appointed on a case, they must interact with many individuals to conduct a thorough investigation. This can involve having difficult conversations with individuals who are experiencing significant emotional distress, conflict, or just general challenges.
How to Maintain the Ethical Use of AI in Personal Injury MattersBy Michael McCreadyArtificial Intelligence & the Practice of Law, Standing Committee on, March 2025Ethical concerns are rightly of primary concern for attorneys using AI tools in their practice. Key among them are data privacy, algorithmic bias, and client confidentiality. Best practices are essential to navigating these challenges.
How To Stop This $475,000 Email Scam From Happening to Your Law FirmBy Mark C. PalmerLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, October 2025Heed the warning of Thomas v. Corbyn Restaurant Dev. Corp. and ensure that your firm is handling client funds through strict protocol and stringent judgment with 4 tips to protect your practice.
Hyman’s Holdings: Knowing When To Stand FirmBy Justice Michael B. HymanCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, November 2025In his new column, Hyman's Holdings, featured in the Civil Practice & Procedure Newsletter, Justice Hyman explores various topics related to the legal profession.
Hyman’s Holdings: Knowing When To Stand FirmBy Justice Michael B. HymanCivil Practice and Procedure, October 2025In his new column, Hyman's Holdings, featured in the Civil Practice & Procedure Newsletter, Justice Hyman explores various topics related to the legal profession.
Hypothetically It Will Not Be Necessary To Learn Chinese To Be in ChinaBy Ralph E. GuderianInternational and Immigration Law, October 2025In China the basic language of course is Chinese. Then why are there are around 400 million estimated Chinese people being taught and learning English in China, larger than the entire population of the U.S.? A look at China's history and the current status of American-Chinese relations.
I Knew You Were Trouble When You Walked In: T&E Monthly Q&ABy Melissa A. GrisoniTrusts and Estates, May 2025The ISBA Trusts & Estates Section Subcommittee on Lawyers Who Are New to Trusts & Estates held its monthly "T&E Q&A: The Basics and Beyond" Zoom meeting on May 15, 2025. This month’s insightful meeting tackled a challenge every attorney inevitably faces: the "toxic client." Moderated by the knowledgeable Mary Vanek of Matlin Law in Northbrook, co-chair of the subcommittee and a 37-year veteran of T&E law, the session provided invaluable guidance from a panel of experienced practitioners.
ICE Raids Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha, NebraskaBy Andy HanacekFood Law, July 2025U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and federal law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant and raided an Omaha, Neb., meat-processing plant the morning of June 10, according to numerous news reports.
Illinois and Federal Program UpdatesElder Law, August 2025A brief overview of changes to the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program, Illinois Multi-Sector Plan for Aging, and the Social Security Compassionate Allowances List.
Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Tax Tribunal Decision Holding That Subsidiary Was Improperly Excluded from Parent Company’s Illinois Unitary Group as Subsidiary Was Not an 80/20 CompanyBy David J. Kupiec, JD,CPA & Natalie Martin, JDState and Local Taxation, April 2025On March 19, 2025, the Illinois Appellate Court issued an order in Pepsico, Inc. and Affiliates v. The Illinois Department of Revenue and The Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal, 2025 IL App (1st) 230913-U, Third Division (March 19, 2025), holding that The Independent Tax Tribunal, properly entered a judgment in favor of the Illinois Department of Revenue. The Court agreed with the Department’s determination that a subsidiary’s income was improperly excluded from the parent corporation’s income tax returns. In addition, the Appellate Court held that the Tax Tribunal properly declined to abate tax penalties imposed against the parent corporation.
The Illinois Court of Claims—What’s That All About?By Leonard F. AmariYoung Lawyers Division, March 2025The Illinois Court of Claims serves any citizen with a claim of money damages or personal injury against a state agency or state employee. The Court also awards compensation to victims of violent crimes under the Crime Victims Compensation Act and to dependents of police officers, firefighters, and National Guard members killed in the line of duty.
The Illinois Court of Claims—What’s That All About?By Leonard F. AmariSenior Lawyers, February 2025The Illinois Court of Claims serves any citizen with a claim of money damages or personal injury against a state agency or state employee. The Court also awards compensation to victims of violent crimes under the Crime Victims Compensation Act and to dependents of police officers, firefighters, and National Guard members killed in the line of duty.
Illinois Courts Are Altering the Fee Waiver StatuteBy Michael StraussFamily Law, October 2025This article explores the importance of holding courts accountable in appropriately applying the fee waiver statute for indigent litigants.
Illinois Enacts New Neonatal Intensive Care Leave ActBy Kimberly A. RossLabor and Employment Law, September 2025The Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act (NICLA), signed by Governor Pritzker on August 15, 2025, will require employers meeting certain qualifications to provide unpaid leave to all employees when a child of the employee is a patient in the NICU.
Illinois Expands General Jurisdiction Over Defendants in Toxic Tort CasesBy Michael P. MurphyEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, September 2025Updates to the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure require businesses to "consent" to general jurisdiction in toxic exposure cases as a cost of doing business in Illinois.
Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill Banning Carbon Sequestration Near Mahomet AquiferBy John H. HendersonEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2025The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill banning carbon sequestration over, under, or through a “sole source aquifer.” SB 1723 passed the Senate by a vote of 55-0 on April 10 and passed the House by a vote of 91-19 on May 20. Upon signing by Governor Pritzker, the bill will become law. The Mahomet Aquifer is the only sole source aquifer in Illinois, and the bill applies only to carbon sequestration activities near that aquifer.
Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill Banning Carbon Sequestration Near Mahomet AquiferBy John H. HendersonMineral Law, June 2025The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill banning carbon sequestration over, under, or through a “sole source aquifer.” SB 1723 passed the Senate by a vote of 55-0 on April 10 and passed the House by a vote of 91-19 on May 20. Upon signing by Governor Pritzker, the bill will become law. The Mahomet Aquifer is the only sole source aquifer in Illinois, and the bill applies only to carbon sequestration activities near that aquifer.
Illinois Has a “Climate Bank!” What Does It Do?Environmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2025The Illinois Climate Bank, created by the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, funds clean energy and climate projects across the state. It supports grid upgrades, solar for low-income communities, EV charging, energy efficiency loans, and small business financing. Backed by federal and state funds, the bank promotes job creation, emissions reduction, and energy equity. A second fund, the Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund, focuses on underserved communities, while rural areas benefit from the Green Bank for Rural America.
Illinois Has a “Climate Bank!” What Does It Do?Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation, June 2025The Illinois Climate Bank, created by the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, funds clean energy and climate projects across the state. It supports grid upgrades, solar for low-income communities, EV charging, energy efficiency loans, and small business financing. Backed by federal and state funds, the bank promotes job creation, emissions reduction, and energy equity. A second fund, the Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund, focuses on underserved communities, while rural areas benefit from the Green Bank for Rural America.
Illinois Increases Maximum Civil Penalties for Environmental ViolationsBy Melissa Brown & Michael ScottCorporate Law Departments, September 2025A summary of the new legislation that increases the maximum civil penalty amounts for violations under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.
Illinois Increases Maximum Civil Penalties for Environmental ViolationsBy Melissa Brown & Michael ScottEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, September 2025A summary of the new legislation that increases the maximum civil penalty amounts for violations under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.
Illinois Joins Coalition Suing Trump Administration on Energy Executive OrderBy Craig R. HedinEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2025On January 20, 2025, President Trump declared a national energy emergency to fast-track energy projects, citing unreliable energy supply. A coalition of 15 states sued, arguing the emergency is unjustified and the order unlawfully bypasses environmental laws, risking harm to people, wildlife, and state interests. The case may reach the Supreme Court.
Illinois Joins Coalition Suing Trump Administration on Energy Executive OrderBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2025On January 20, 2025, President Trump declared a national energy emergency to fast-track energy projects, citing unreliable energy supply. A coalition of 15 states sued, arguing the emergency is unjustified and the order unlawfully bypasses environmental laws, risking harm to people, wildlife, and state interests. The case may reach the Supreme Court.
Illinois Municipal League End of Session ReportLocal Government Law, June 2025View the Illinois Municipal League End of Session Report from the 104th General Assembly that was published June 1, 2025.
