Federal Student Aid Changes Effective January 1, 2026: Consequences for Family Law ClientsBy Rebecca Berlin MelzerFamily Law, May 2026The One Big Beautiful Bill Act's changes to federal student borrowing may have significant impacts on clients relating to contribution to secondary educational expenses under section 513 of the IMDMA. Without additional federal borrowing, true out-of-pocket costs to families are increasing. It is imperative that clients understand the changes, to be able to make more informed decisions on the selection of school based on the child’s and parents’ resources given the new borrowing limits.
A Final Dismissal in First Ultraprocessed Foods LawsuitBy Dave FusaroFood Law, August 2026A federal court in Pennsylvania delivered the apparent final victory to major food & beverage companies who were accused of creating ultraprocessed foods they knew would be addictive and would create health problems.
FinCEN UpdateBy Nicky SonntagAgricultural Law, June 2026FinCEN's Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers Rule remains in limbo as a district court in Texas overturned it, which means that reporting persons are not currently required to file real estate reports with FinCEN under the new Rule.
FinCEN UpdateBy Nicky SonntagTrusts and Estates, May 2026FinCEN's Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers Rule remains in limbo as a district court in Texas overturned it, which means that reporting persons are not currently required to file real estate reports with FinCEN under the new Rule.
FinCEN UpdateBy Nicky SonntagReal Estate Law, May 2026FinCEN's Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers Rule remains in limbo as a district court in Texas overturned it, which means that reporting persons are not currently required to file real estate reports with FinCEN under the new Rule.
FinCEN’s New Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule Effective March 1, 2026By Ryan StoddenBusiness Advice and Financial Planning, March 2026FinCEN has finalized a new rule requiring the filing of Real Estate Reports for certain residential real estate transactions. The regulation represents a significant expansion of federal AML and SAR oversight into the real estate sector to combat laundering illicit funds.
FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule: What Illinois Agricultural Law Practitioners Need to KnowBy Sam Ellis, Kendal A. Schoepfer, & Cari Brett RinckerAgricultural Law, August 2026On March 1, 2026, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s long-anticipated residential real estate reporting rule took full effect. For Illinois agricultural law practitioners—whose clients rely heavily on revocable living trusts, family limited liability companies, and gratuitous inter-generational transfers to pass the family farm—the rule’s reach is broader than its policy aims might suggest.
Five Ways to Be a More Efficient Working MomBy Nicole SartoriRural Practice, June 2026At the end of each day, a working parent may feel exhausted from trying to balance the demands of their career and their responsibilities at home. Give them (and yourself) grace, accept the outside assistance in the ways of apps and people, and incorporate these five tips into your life to ease the mental load.
Five Ways to Be a More Efficient Working MomBy Nicole SartoriWomen and the Law, May 2026At the end of each day, a working parent may feel exhausted from trying to balance the demands of their career and their responsibilities at home. Give them (and yourself) grace, accept the outside assistance in the ways of apps and people, and incorporate these five tips into your life to ease the mental load.
Flinn ReportFood Law, August 2026The Department of Agriculture adopted an emergency amendment to address safety concerns regarding animals entering Illinois from areas impacted by the New World Screwworm.
Flinn Report Summary: December 5, 2025, Through January 30, 2026By Joseph P. O’KeefeTrusts and Estates, April 2026Highlights from the Flinn Report, including DCFS rulemakings, amendments concerning consumer legal funding loans, changes relating to unclaimed property, and more.
FOIA Amended to Address Cybersecurity ThreatsBy Jenifer L. JohnsonIntellectual Property, June 2026Illinois Public Act 104-0438, effective 1/1/26, makes numerous changes to the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including a change driven by cybersecurity concerns.
FOIA Amended To Address Cybersecurity ThreatsBy Jenifer L. JohnsonGovernment Lawyers, March 2026Illinois Public Act 104-0438, effective 1/1/26, makes numerous changes to the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including a change driven by cybersecurity concerns.
FOIA Case Law UpdateBy Matthew HarteCivil Practice and Procedure, May 2026A summary of three recent appellate court cases that discuss when a public body is deemed to have received an electronic FOIA request, when delayed production may expose a public body to civil penalties, and whether a court may shift the burden of in camera review to a special master.
Food Law in the States—2025 UpdateBy Emily StoneFood Law, June 2026Hot topics in 2025 state legislative sessions across the country included discussion and amendments on issues such as raw milk, cottage food, food additives, alternative proteins, and SNAP benefits.
Food Law’s 2025 “Top Ten”By Emily StoneFood Law, June 20262025 brought several food law issues to the forefront, including the MAHA movement, SNAP waivers, federal food ingredient oversight, alternative proteins, and more.
The Forum Non Conveniens Doctrine in Refiled SuitsBy Jeffrey A. ParnessCivil Practice and Procedure, May 2026The Fifth District Appellate Court, in Richardson v. Husain, recently determined that a plaintiff's second choice of forum is entitled to "substantial deference," while one justice emphasized the importance of "public interest factors" when analyzing forum non conveniens challenges.
Forum Non Conveniens Motion to an Adjacent CountyBy Albert DurkinTort Law, March 2026It is rare that a plaintiff’s choice of forum would be overcome by a forum non conveniens motion to an adjacent county. In Seilheimer, the First District upheld a plaintiff’s right to select the forum for filing a personal injury claim.
Frivolous Appeal Results in SanctionsBy Michael R. LiedEmployee Benefits, April 2026In Girard v. Girard, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently reminded litigants that an order remanding a removed case to state court is almost never reviewable on appeal and frivolous appeals really can result in sanctions under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.
Frivolous Appeal Results in SanctionsBy Michael R. LiedCorporate Law Departments, April 2026In Girard v. Girard, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently reminded litigants that an order remanding a removed case to state court is almost never reviewable on appeal and frivolous appeals really can result in sanctions under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.
Frivolous Appeal Results in SanctionsBy Michael R. LiedFederal Civil Practice, March 2026In Girard v. Girard, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently reminded litigants that an order remanding a removed case to state court is almost never reviewable on appeal and frivolous appeals really can result in sanctions under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.
From 146 to 110: Public Act 104-0733 and Illinois’ New Shared-Care Child-Support RegimeBy Steve RakowskiFamily Law, September 2026On July 31, 2026, Illinois enacted Public Act 104-0733, effective January 1, 2027, amending sections 505 and 510 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, and making five changes of immediate importance to family-law practitioners: it lowers the shared-care threshold, introduces “overnight equivalents,” expands the minimum-support category, creates a detailed incarceration procedure, and requires annual exchanges of income information.
From Appointment to Action: ISBA YLD’s Proposed Resolution for Language Equity in Legal PracticeBy Kassandra MorfinYoung Lawyers Division, April 2026While Rule 1.4 of the Rules of Professional Conduct require an attorney reasonably communicate with his or her client to aid the client to effectively participate in the legal matter, guidelines regarding language barriers and interpreters are lacking. The ISBA YLD Section Council is conducting research in an effort to influence an amendment to Rule 1.4, clarifying requirements for adequate representation of native foreign language litigants.
