What’s Going on with Vehicle-to-Everything Laws in Illinois?By Nick OliverEnergy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation, April 2025Welcome to “What’s going on with ____ in Illinois?” The author's goal for this new column is to provide an overview of emerging laws affecting the energy, utilities, transportation, and telecommunication industries in our state. For our first column in this series, the author focuses on the current state of vehicle-to-everything laws in Illinois.
What’s the Law? Dogs in Hot CarsBy Elizabeth ZurekAnimal Law, May 2025Some states allow individual citizens to enter a car, including by means of breaking a window, in order to rescue an animal. In Illinois, only a law enforcement officer can do so, using “any reasonable means under the circumstances.”
When Bad Things Happen to Good ProjectsBy Samuel H. LevineConstruction Law, May 2025The article examines the suspension of construction projects, their causes, and the contractual rights and responsibilities involved. Industry-standard contracts like AIA A201 and ConsensusDocs 200 contain suspension clauses that allow owners to suspend work for convenience and outline contractor rights, including time and cost adjustments. Federal contracts also permit suspension but typically exclude profit in recovery. Levine's article highlights the need for contractors to follow claim procedures carefully and document delays and damages. It also covers force majeure clauses, emergency provisions, and differentiates between delay and disruption claims. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of proper contract drafting and timely communication to manage the impacts of suspension.
When Is Insurance Not “Other Insurance”?By David E. SchroederInsurance Law, May 2025A typical “other insurance” provision in a general liability policy might state that “any coverage hereunder will be excess over any other valid and collectible insurance available to the additional insured, whether primary, excess, contingent, or on any other basis.” Note that this provision only comes into play if another party has “other valid and collectible insurance.” This article examines situations where what appears to be an insurance policy or insurance coverage has been found not to be “other valid and collectible insurance” for the purposes of “other insurance” clause analysis.
Why I Seek Out Rooms Without Lawyers—And Why You Might TooBy Ricardo SantiagoFederal Taxation, November 2025Learn about the benefits of networking outside of your usual professional circles and challenge yourself to network with non-attorneys to grow your practice.
Why I Seek Out Rooms Without Lawyers—And Why You Might TooBy Ricardo SantiagoYoung Lawyers Division, September 2025Learn about the benefits of networking outside of your usual professional circles and challenge yourself to network with non-attorneys to grow your practice.
Why I Will Keep Trying To Contact Public OfficialsBy Bhavani RaveendranHuman and Civil Rights, August 2025Learn about additional ways that you can contact your representatives or senators to effectuate change.
Why Volunteer on a Section Council?By Margo Lynn HablutzelCorporate Law Departments, August 2025Learn about the benefits of joining the Corporate Law Department Section Council!
Will Illinois Have a New Public Defender System?By John RekowskiCriminal Justice, May 2025Illinois is considering HB 3363 to reform its public defense system by creating a State Public Defender and a State Public Defender Commission to support, not control, local public defenders. The main controversy is over who appoints local Chief Public Defenders—currently judges, but the bill proposes a state commission. The change aims to reduce conflicts of interest but faces strong opposition from judges and the Illinois State Bar Association.
Without Further Ado: Third Circuit Limits Discovery on Motions to Compel ArbitrationBy Bassam F. GergiFederal Civil Practice, January 2025More than a decade after its seminal decision in Guidotti v. Legal Helpers Debt Resolution, L.L.C., the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has clarified that a plaintiff’s claims may be sent straight to arbitration, without any discovery, if there is no challenge to an arbitration agreement’s existence or validity.
Women & the Law’s Book Drive: 492 Books Collected for Young Readers in IllinoisBy Laura CastagnaWomen and the Law, May 2025Literacy is the single most important skill a child needs to be successful, yet many children lack access to books of their own. In an effort to promote book ownership and help children create pathways to success through engagement with text, the Women & the Law Committee organized a book drive to coincide with ISBA’s 2024 Midyear Meeting. From November 2024 until the Midyear Meeting, the WATL Committee invited its members and the greater ISBA membership to collect new and gently used children’s books as well as monetary donations for four non-profits serving communities throughout Illinois.
The Women by Kristin Hannah—A Reflection of Our TimesBy Naomi SchusterSenior Lawyers, June 2025The article reflects on The Women by Kristin Hannah, a historical fiction novel highlighting the overlooked contributions of women—especially nurses—during the Vietnam War. Through the fictional character Frankie McGrath, based on real accounts, the story reveals the harsh realities faced by female veterans, including trauma, lack of recognition, and poor treatment upon returning home. Despite 10,000 women serving in Vietnam, mostly as volunteer nurses, their roles were long ignored. Efforts to honor them culminated in the 1993 dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., thanks to advocacy led by former nurse Diane Carlson Evans.
The Work of a GAL and Lessons LearnedBy Judge Maureen SchuetteYoung Lawyers Division, May 2025Judge Schuette provides insight and guidance from her days as a Guardian Ad Litem.
The Work of a GAL and Lessons LearnedBy Judge Maureen SchuetteBench and Bar, April 2025Judge Schuette provides insight and guidance from her days as a Guardian Ad Litem.
The Work of a GAL and Lessons LearnedBy Judge Maureen SchuetteFamily Law, April 2025Judge Schuette provides insight and guidance from her days as a Guardian Ad Litem.
Year 2000 Nonfirearm Version of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault Adding a 10-Year Enhancement Declared UnconstitutionalBy Mark Kevin Wykoff, Sr.Criminal Justice, January 2025In People v. Taylor, 2024 IL App (4th) 231066, the Fourth District considered whether the aggravated criminal sexual assault statute that included a mandatory 10-year sentence enhancement when the perpetrator displayed, threatened to use, or used a dangerous weapon, other than a firearm, or any object fashioned or utilized in such a manner as to lead the victim *** to believe it to be a dangerous weapon, violated due process and was void ab initio. (720 ILCS 5/12-14(a)(1) (West 2006)).
YLD Members Attend Annual Meeting in LincolnshireYoung Lawyers Division, August 2025Members of the ISBA Young Lawyers Division attended the Annual Meeting at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort on June 5–6, 2025.
YLD Speed Networking Event 2025Young Lawyers Division, May 2025The YLD Speed Networking event provided an opportunity for young lawyers and law students to meet and connect with colleagues.
YLD Wine Tasting Event 2025Young Lawyers Division, May 2025Proceeds from the annual Wine Tasting event benefited the YLD’s Children’s Assistance Fund, which provides grants to organizations across the state related to children and law.
