Recap of WATL-Sponsored Event: “Trailblazing Through the Law: Lifting as We Climb”By Jennifer Bunker SkerstonWomen and the Law, September 2025The ISBA and the Woman and the Law Committee hosted a very successful event in Springfield, "Trailblazing Through the Law: Lifting as We Climb," where attendees received a tour of the Capitol Building and the Illinios Supreme Court.
Recap of YLD’s CLE from January 15: Family Law 101By Genevieve E. Miller, Esq.Young Lawyers Division, February 2025Olivia Basu and I teamed up as co-speakers on January 15, 2025, for a one-hour virtual CLE entitled Family Law 101 that was co-sponsored by ISBA’s YLD, Family Law, and Rural Practice Sections. We provided attendees with the basics of practicing family law, which included a brief overview of important aspects to consider when handling a family law case. We discussed tools to facilitate settlements and things to be mindful of, such as how each family dynamic is unique.
Recent Amendments to the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy ActBy Nikhil A. MehtaCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, July 2025The recent amendments bring significant changes, particularly with respect to liability and consent procedures, which will impact businesses, privacy advocates, and legal professionals alike. The amendments are codified in Illinois Public Act 103-0666.
Recent Amendments to the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy ActBy Nikhil A. MehtaBusiness Advice and Financial Planning, June 2025The recent amendments bring significant changes, particularly with respect to liability and consent procedures, which will impact businesses, privacy advocates, and legal professionals alike. The amendments are codified in Illinois Public Act 103-0666.
Recent Amendments to the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy ActBy Nikhil A. MehtaBusiness and Securities Law, February 2025The recent amendments bring significant changes, particularly with respect to liability and consent procedures, which will impact businesses, privacy advocates, and legal professionals alike. The amendments are codified in Illinois Public Act 103-0666.
Recent Appointments and RetirementsBench and Bar, September 2025A summary of changes to the judiciary, including those who have been appointed as Circuit Judge and associate judges, those who have retired, and those who have been recalled.
Recent Changes to the IRS Office of AppealsBy Sandra D. Mertens & Grace SymingtonFederal Taxation, October 2025The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Independent Office of Appeals is launching two initiatives aimed at increasing transparency and fairness to taxpayers: (1) a Post Appeals Mediation pilot program, and (2) making Appeals Case Memos available to share with taxpayers.
Recent False Claims Act Cases Show Trump Administration’s Continued Focus on International Customs and Trade FraudBy Jay SchleppenbachCorporate Law Departments, August 2025International trade has continually been in the news during President Trump’s second administration. From the imposition of tariffs on automobiles and their component parts to the broad reciprocal tariffs announced on Liberation Day and discussions of tariffs on foreign-made films, it is safe to say the landscape of international trade has continually shifted. Beyond these more dramatic moves on the international stage, however, there have been perhaps less visible but no less important signs that the Trump administration is prioritizing compliance with the nation’s customs and trade laws.
Recent False Claims Act Cases Show Trump Administration’s Continued Focus on International Customs and Trade FraudBy Jay SchleppenbachCivil Practice and Procedure, August 2025International trade has continually been in the news during President Trump’s second administration. From the imposition of tariffs on automobiles and their component parts to the broad reciprocal tariffs announced on Liberation Day and discussions of tariffs on foreign-made films, it is safe to say the landscape of international trade has continually shifted. Beyond these more dramatic moves on the international stage, however, there have been perhaps less visible but no less important signs that the Trump administration is prioritizing compliance with the nation’s customs and trade laws.
Recent False Claims Act Cases Show Trump Administration’s Continued Focus on International Customs and Trade FraudBy Jay SchleppenbachFederal Civil Practice, July 2025International trade has continually been in the news during President Trump’s second administration. From the imposition of tariffs on automobiles and their component parts to the broad reciprocal tariffs announced on Liberation Day and discussions of tariffs on foreign-made films, it is safe to say the landscape of international trade has continually shifted. Beyond these more dramatic moves on the international stage, however, there have been perhaps less visible but no less important signs that the Trump administration is prioritizing compliance with the nation’s customs and trade laws.
Recent Illinois Tax Sale and Tax Deed CasesBy Tim MoranState and Local Taxation, February 2025A summary of recent Illinois appellate cases regarding tax sale and tax deed issues.
Recent Legal DevelopmentsElder Law, November 2025A summary of new state laws, impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and 2024 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.
Recent Legislation Affecting the Construction IndustryBy Samuel H. LevineConstruction Law, September 2025Learn more about 3 bills that will impact construction law, including amendments to the Home Repair and Remodeling Act Governing Attorneys Fees, the Illinois Receivership Act, and restrictions in the State Agency Retainage Act.
Recent Prosecutions, Announcements Show Trump DOJ’s Focus on Curbing Health Care FraudBy Jay SchleppenbachHealth Care Law, October 2025Recent announcements from the United States Department of Justice emphasize health care fraud is a top white collar enforcement priority for the Trump administration. Health care companies and individual providers must take care to ensure they do not come under the government's microscope.
Recent Retainage Reforms in Illinois: First Private Projects, Then Local Government, and Now State AgenciesBy James RohlfingConstruction Law, October 2025On June 1, 2025, the Illinois legislature passed House Bill 1224 (HB1224), restricting retainage permitted to be withheld from contractors on construction projects with certain Illinois state agencies. The bill was signed by Governor Pritzker on August 15, 2025 and created Public Act 104-0168, which will become effective June 1, 2027. It will be the third new law in the last six years enacted by the Illinois legislature restricting the withholding of retainage under Illinois construction contracts.
Recent Updates on H-1B Visa Applications and Their Impact on the Upcoming LotteryBy Likitha ReddyInternational and Immigration Law, January 2025The recent changes and updates to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services guidelines will impact both applicants and employers significantly. This article explores these developments and their implications for the upcoming H-1B lottery season.
Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Impacting Environmental and Administrative LawBy William J. Anaya & Sophia BoothbyEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, August 2025The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has recently issued a series of decisions that have significantly reshaped the landscape of not only environmental law, but administrative law in general. Not satisfied with simply overruling the decades old Chevron deference, SCOTUS has imposed jurisdictional limits on agency action that reflect a broader trend curbing agency discretion and reinforcing judicial oversight.
Recovery When an Employer Has No Insurance: IWBF CasesBy Derek G. DominguezWorkers’ Compensation Law, July 2025One of the first things a Petitioner’s attorney must do when they sign up a new client is figure out who is the employer’s insurance carrier. It can be disheartening to learn that an employer had no insurance on the date of injury due to a lapse in coverage, or even a willful decision not to carry insurance. Fortunately, the Injured Workers Benefit Fund (“IWBF”) was established for employees to recover workers’ compensation benefits such as PPD, TTD, and payment of medical expenses in cases where an employer is deemed to have had no insurance on the date of injury. The following will help you get to the finish line and recover for your client in these cases.
Reflections on 50 Years of PracticeBy Malcolm C. McPhersonGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, January 2025A significant concern that looms large over our profession is the dwindling number of lawyers willing to practice in rural areas. Many of my early colleagues have retired or passed on, and we see fewer young lawyers stepping in to fill those vital roles. This decline isn't just a rural issue; it affects the entire legal fabric of our state.
REM Members Attend Annual Meeting in LincolnshireRacial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, October 2025Members of the Standing Committee on Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law attended the Annual Meeting at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort on June 5–6, 2025.
Remembering Justice Thomas E. HoffmanWorkers’ Compensation Law, October 2025Justice Hoffmann will be remembered as a distinguished jurist, loving husband and father, avid collector of historical memorabilia, and a classic car enthusiast.
Report From the ChairBy Garrett ThalgottAgricultural Law, November 2025A note from the Chair of the Agricultural Law Section Council, including a save the date for the 32nd Annual Agricultural Law Conference.
Report From the ChairBy Garrett ThalgottAgricultural Law, September 2025A note from the Chair of the Agricultural Law Section Council regarding the upcoming bar year.
