My Journey From Policy to PracticeBy Alexandra WizdaLaw-Related Education for the Public, April 2026A reflection from a political science grad and the perspective shift toward the law.
My Rural Ag Law Practice: So What’s in My Tech Stack?By Cari Brett RinckerRural Practice, February 2026An in-depth review of different technology that can make your law practice run smoother, from office management to AI, and everything in between.
My Rural Ag Law Practice: So What’s in My Tech Stack?By Cari Brett RinckerElder Law, February 2026An in-depth review of different technology that can make your law practice run smoother, from office management to AI, and everything in between.
National Healthcare Decisions DayBy Karen Alice KloppeLaw-Related Education for the Public, April 2026National Healthcare Decisions Day was April 16, 2026. This event is part of a public awareness initiative designed to promote the use of advance directives to plan for and document medical wishes in the event of an emergency when an adult may not be able to act or make decisions.
Navigating the Landscape of Partition ActionsBy Cameron T. LythbergReal Estate Law, March 2026Partition actions are replete with emotions, difficult equity concerns, and civil practice issues. While seemingly simple at first blush, they can quickly become one of the most complex areas of civil practice.
Navigating the Rise of AI in ADR: Opportunities, Risks, and Ethical Considerations for AttorneysBy Hon. Mary Colleen Roberts, (ret.)Alternative Dispute Resolution, May 2026Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. Virtually every conversation these days involves AI and now this advanced technology seems to be on the cusp of transforming nearly every aspect of society. Despite all of its promise, there are significant pitfalls legal professionals, law firms, and the courts must consider as this technology becomes more pervasive. Unsurprisingly, the same issues faced by litigators are being experienced in the world of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
New Ethics Opinion Addresses Federal Judges’ Public EngagementBy Pamela S. MenakerBench and Bar, April 2026The U.S. Judicial Conference’s Committee on Codes of Conduct has released a new advisory opinion that explicitly provides that federal judges are now permitted to publicly defend their judicial independence and the rule of law, so long as they avoid partisan politics and preserve impartiality. For advocates of judicial independence, the opinion should come as a welcome affirmation of the judiciary’s important role in our judicial system.
New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Requirements for Loans on Condominiums and Community Association BuildingsBy Paul PetersonReal Estate Law, May 2026Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in March 2026, issued updates to certain standards and insurance requirements, outlined in Lender Letter LL-2026-03, which addresses expansion of waiver of project review, retirement of investor ownership limits, retirement of the limited review process, and more.
New FINCEN Reporting Starts March 1, 2026!Real Estate Law, March 2026Will you have to file the Real Estate Report? Be sure to familiarize yourself with the reporting requirements.
New Illinois Law Requires Hospitals To Adopt and Submit Law Enforcement Interaction PoliciesBy Sumaya M. NoushHealth Care Law, March 2026Illinois hospitals face significant compliance obligations under the recently enacted Illinois Health Care Sanctity and Privacy Law. Effective January 1, 2026, for general acute care hospitals and March 1, 2026, for all other hospitals, the Illinois Department of Public Health is requiring hospitals to develop and formally submit written policies governing interactions with law enforcement, including immigration enforcement personnel.
New Member Spotlight: Aggie BaumertWomen and the Law, April 2026Learn more about Aggie Baumert, who not only brings a wealth of experience in family law to the committee—she embodies grit, passion, and dedication against all odds, a true testament to everything that the committee represents.
The New Receivership Act: Claims Filing, Automatic Stays, and Receivership Sales of Real EstateBy Paul PetersonCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, February 2026This article higlights some of the key sections of the Receivership Act that should be considered in practice, including purpose, scope, notice, status of receiver as lien creditor, sale of real estate, contracts, injunctions, claims bar date, and discharge of the receiver.
The New Receivership Act: Claims Filing, Automatic Stays, and Receivership Sales of Real EstateBy Paul PetersonAgricultural Law, January 2026This article higlights some of the key sections of the Receivership Act that a real estate practitioner or mechanics lien claimant should consider, including purpose, scope, notice, status of receiver as lien creditor, sale of real estate, contracts, injunctions, claims bar date, and discharge of the receiver.
The New Receivership Act: Claims Filing, Automatic Stays, and Receivership Sales of Real EstateBy Paul PetersonReal Estate Law, January 2026The new Illinois Receivership Act brings a host of changes to receiverships in Illinois under certain circumstances. One of the purposes of the Act is to facilitate sales that can bring in more proceeds than would otherwise be obtained through a mortgage foreclosure, creating the necessity for all real estate practitioners to consider.
New Residential Real Estate Reporting to FinCEN Begins March 1, 2026By Sandra D. MertensFederal Taxation, March 2026Effective March 1, 2026, a new regulation promulgated by the FinCEN requires a new information report each time a qualifying residential real estate transaction or settlement closes. The new regulation is the next step under the DOT’s longstanding effort to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit financial activities.
News CornerElder Law, March 2026A roundup of recent news, including Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, scam alerts, and an update for the National Strategy for Financial Literacy.
The NextGen Bar ExamBy Michael G. CortinaBench and Bar, April 2026We all likely remember taking the usual classes in law school—Torts, Contracts, Criminal Law—but very few courses focused on the practical skills of lawyering. Some schools had more courses that were skills-based, but most classes focused on teaching students legal concepts and principles. The times, they are a changin’. The next generation of attorneys may enter practice with a stronger skillset thanks to the new Bar Exam.
No Access to Justice Without Access to a Lawyer: Part IIBy Judge James A. Shapiro & James J. HerdegenBench and Bar, February 2026Part II of this two-part series explores the difficulties that self-represented litigants face in the court system, particularly as it relates to Domestic Relations cases and the inability to afford an attorney, and offers solutions to increase access to justice.
The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act: Key Provisions and Impacts for Local GovernmentsBy Megan M. OlsonLocal Government Law, February 2026On December 16, 2025, Governor Pritzker signed a new transit funding bill known as “The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act” (NITA) into law. The law replaces the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) with the newly created Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA).
Not So Exclusive Remedy: Allergic Reactions at WorkBy Dennis M. LynchTort Law, March 2026A look at Rivas v. Benny's Prime Chophouse, a First District Appellate Court case that illustrates the important interplay between workers’ compensation law and direct liability claims against an employer.
NOTEReal Estate Law, January 2026Quick summaries of new laws for 2026 that may impact the practice of real estate law.
Nuclear Tesla Verdict & the “Full Self-Driving” HustleBy Michael AlkarakiEnergy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation, February 2026The number of people who have been injured due to Tesla's alleged self-driving cars is increasing; however, Tesla is doubling down that user is to blame, not the faulty Tesla feature.
Oil and Gas Law for the Non-Oil and Gas LawyerBy John C. Robison, Jr.Mineral Law, March 2026An overview of oil and gas law is presented for the practitioner who only occasionally encounters real estate with oil and gas issues.
Oil and Gas Law Ownership Rights and Surface IssuesBy David M. ForemanEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2026Historically, an owner of real estate, in fee simple absolute, was thought to own a pie shaped cubit, extending from the center of the Earth, all the way up to the heavens. This traditional rule of ownership is a gross over simplification which, as we shall see, does not truly apply in the case of oil and gas.
Oil and Gas Law Ownership Rights and Surface IssuesBy David M. ForemanAgricultural Law, February 2026Historically, an owner of real estate, in fee simple absolute, was thought to own a pie shaped cubit, extending from the center of the Earth, all the way up to the heavens. This traditional rule of ownership is a gross over simplification which, as we shall see, does not truly apply in the case of oil and gas.
Oil and Gas Law Ownership Rights and Surface IssuesBy David M. ForemanReal Estate Law, February 2026Historically, an owner of real estate, in fee simple absolute, was thought to own a pie shaped cubit, extending from the center of the Earth, all the way up to the heavens. This traditional rule of ownership is a gross over simplification which, as we shall see, does not truly apply in the case of oil and gas.
