Soil Health WeekFood Law, February 2025Participate in Soil Health Week happening March 3-9, 2025!
Some IRS Changes for 2025!Real Estate Law, January 2025A brief list of new IRS changes of interest to ADR practitioners.
Someone You Should KnowGovernment Lawyers, November 2025Learn more about the members of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Committee on Government Lawyers!
Someone You Should Know: Gregory J. Ramel, Sr.By Kevin LovelletteGovernment Lawyers, August 2025Greg Ramel has worked a lifetime in public service. Literally. He worked diligently at the Illinois Department of Employment Security (“IDES”) for 45+ years before retiring, and after a short one-month break, came back to assist with training new IDES attorneys. Then the pandemic happened. With all hands needed on deck for the agency that administered unemployment insurance benefits in Illinois during that time, Greg’s knowledge, experience, and hard work, despite being officially retired, helped the agency be an economic first responder during those tough years.
SoundExchange Dealt a Blow To Enforcing Delinquent RoyaltiesBy Anthony J. Wenn & Beverly A. BernemanIntellectual Property, December 2025The Southern District of New York case, SoundExchange v. Sirius XM Radio Inc., has profound implications, including weakening SoundExchange's legal leverage, creating uncertainty about mechanisms to recover underpaid royalties, and future potential legislative action.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Its Application to Illinois Family Law and GuardianshipsBy Phil SchlichtingInternational and Immigration Law, October 2025Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (“SIJS”) is a form of immigration relief that is available to foreign born children that have been abused, neglected, abandoned or similarly mistreated by one or both parents. Approved SIJS petitioners are able to adjust status in the United States when their priority date becomes current.
Spotlight on Trusts & Estates Section Council Member Emily R. VivianBy Hayden R. EarlTrusts and Estates, December 2025The Trusts & Estates Section Council has members from throughout the State of Illinois with a variety of professional achievements, skills, and practices. In this newsletter, we continue a prior series of “spotlight” articles that highlights the backgrounds, interests, and experiences of members of the Trusts & Estates Section Council, in order to get to know more about them.
Spotlight on Trusts & Estates Section Council Member Matthew HessBy Mia O. HernandezTrusts and Estates, September 2025The Trusts & Estates Section Council has members from throughout the State of Illinois with a variety of professional achievements, skills, and practices. In this newsletter, we continue a prior series of “spotlight” articles that highlights the backgrounds, interests, and experiences of members of the Trusts & Estates Section Council, in order to get to know more about them.
Spotlight on Trusts & Estates Section Council Member Meghan TepasBy Mia O. HernandezTrusts and Estates, August 2025The Trusts & Estates Section Council has members from throughout the State of Illinois with a variety of professional achievements, skills, and practices. In this newsletter, we continue a prior series of “spotlight” articles that highlight the backgrounds, interests, and experiences of members of the Trusts & Estates Section Council, in a question-and-answer format, as a way to get to know more about them.
Spotlight on Trusts & Estates Section Council Member Sharanya GururajanBy Mia O. HernandezTrusts and Estates, July 2025The Trusts & Estates Section Council has members from throughout the State of Illinois with a variety of professional achievements, skills, and practices. In this newsletter, we continue a prior series of “spotlight” articles that highlight the backgrounds, interests, and experiences of members of the Trusts & Estates Section Council, in a question-and-answer format, as a way to get to know more about them.
State Legislative Update: New Education LawsBy Phil MilskEducation Law, October 2025Learn more about the new legislation passed in the summer of 2025 that impacts education law.
Statute of Limitations for Line of Credit Is 5 Years?By Kevin J. StineCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, July 2025In BMO Bank N.A. v. Zbroszczyk, theIllinois Appellate Court recently affirmed dismissal of a mortgage foreclosure action based on a revolving line of credit.
Statutory Amendments Affecting the Illinois Power of Attorney for Property – Boon or Bane for Estate Planning Attorneys?By Mia O. Hernandez & Jennifer Bunker SkerstonElder Law, January 2025Public Act 103-0994, effective January 1, 2025, amended the Illinois Power of Attorney Act to add and describe unreasonable and reasonable causes for a third party to refuse to honor powers of attorney for property. The impetus for the Act’s amendment was to redress the perceived problem that it is not uncommon for third parties to unreasonably reject powers of attorney for property.
Statutory Amendments Affecting the Illinois Power of Attorney for Property – Boon or Bane for Estate Planning Attorneys?By Mia O. Hernandez & Jennifer Bunker SkerstonRural Practice, January 2025Recently, lively discussion ensued among estate planning practitioner members of the Trusts and Estates Section on the ISBA Central Community discussion board regarding Public Act 103-0994, effective January 1, 2025, which amends the Illinois Power of Attorney Act to add and describe unreasonable and reasonable causes for a third party to refuse to honor powers of attorney for property. The impetus for the Act’s amendment was to redress the perceived problem that it is not uncommon for third parties to unreasonably reject powers of attorney for property.
A Steak by Any Other Name: How States Are Shaping the Future of Cultivated MeatFood Law, May 2025In the first quarter of 2025, state legislatures across the United States have proposed bills regulating cell-cultured meat, including both labeling requirements and sales restrictions. Cell-cultured meat, also known as “lab-grown meat” or even “fake meat”, is produced by cultivating animal cells in a controlled environment, offering a potential alternative to traditional livestock farming.
Streamlining Environmental Permitting Is Part of White House AI Action PlanBy Michael P. MurphyEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, September 2025The White House recently released its new AI Action Plan, which aims to accelerate AI innovation, build American infrastructure, and lead in international AI diplomacy and security. Learn more about the impacts of this Plan on environmental regulations.
Street Gangs in Relation to Claims for Asylum: Part IIBy Ralph E. GuderianInternational and Immigration Law, January 2025Part II on street gangs seeking asylum, including the 18th Street Gang, Barrio 18, Latin Kings, MS-13, and more.
Substantive Elements in Special State Pleading LawsBy Jeffrey A. ParnessFederal Civil Practice, July 2025In Berk, the issue is whether a Delaware affidavit of merit (AOM) statute governing “healthcare negligence” claims, 18 Delaware Code 6853 (a)(1-3), applied in a diversity case involving the treatment of a Florida citizen in Delaware that was prompted by a fall in a Delaware home. Upon examining the principles of Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64 (1938) and its progeny, the Third Circuit determined that there was no conflict involving federal civil procedure rules
