Articles From 2026

Lawyers’ Assistance Program: Mental Health By Nicole Sartori Mental Health Law, May 2026 The Lawyers' Assistance Program is a valuable resource for attorneys, judges, and law students, offering services from assessments, substance abuse to mental health treatments, support groups, and individual counseling. 
Lawyers’ Assistance Program: Mental Health By Nicole Sartori Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, May 2026 The Lawyers' Assistance Program is a valuable resource for attorneys, judges, and law students, offering services from assessments, substance abuse to mental health treatments, support groups, and individual counseling. 
Lawyers’ Assistance Program: Mental Health By Nicole Sartori Women and the Law, April 2026 The Lawyers' Assistance Program is a valuable resource for attorneys, judges, and law students, offering services from assessments, substance abuse to mental health treatments, support groups, and individual counseling. 
Lawyers Must Build Technical Competence Before Claiming AI Competence By George Bellas Employee Benefits, April 2026 Artificial intelligence is becoming an inevitable component of practicing law, but before implementing AI into your practice, ensure you have the correct technological competency to satisfy your ethical obligations. 
Lawyers Must Build Technical Competence Before Claiming AI Competence By George Bellas Legal Technology, Standing Committee on, April 2026 Artificial intelligence is becoming an inevitable component of practicing law, but before implementing AI into your practice, ensure you have the correct technological competency to satisfy your ethical obligations. 
Lawyers Must Build Technical Competence Before Claiming AI Competence By George Bellas Intellectual Property, March 2026 Artificial intelligence is becoming an inevitable component of practicing law, but before implementing AI into your practice, ensure you have the correct technological competency to satisfy your ethical obligations. 
Lawyers Must Build Technical Competence Before Claiming AI Competence By George Bellas Civil Practice and Procedure, January 2026 Artificial intelligence is becoming an inevitable component of practicing law, but before implementing AI into your practice, ensure you have the correct technological competency to satisfy your ethical obligations. 
Legal Representation in Unemployment Insurance Hearings By Kevin Lovellette & Briana Jacobs Government Lawyers, March 2026 The Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act authorizes IDES to establish a program commonly referred to as the Legal Services Program. IDES works with contracted law firms to offer free legal services in Illinois that assist individuals and businesses in navigating administrative hearings.
Legislative Proposals for January 2026—Quick Summary Corporate Law Departments, March 2026 A roundup of proposed Illinois legislation from the House and Senate, including Mental Health Warning for Social Media Act, amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003, Surveillance-Based Wage Discrimination Act, amendment to the Property Tax Code, the Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy Act, and more. 
Legislative Proposals for January 2026—Quick Summary Corporate Law Departments, February 2026 A collection of summaries of legislation that may be of interest to members of the Corporate Law Departments Section, including adult changing stations, consumer fraud solicit loans, freedom to work relating to health care, Tarriff Transparency Act, and more. 
Lessons From Child First Approach in Northern Ireland By Kelly Cassidy Child Law, March 2026 The juvenile justice system of the United States could take cues from other countries to better align with the United Nations Compact on the Rights of the Child. This article offers a reflection of society after an exploration of Northern Ireland's approach to children in conflict with the law. 
Lessons From Skarbek v. Woodman’s Food Market: Absence of Rule 222(b) Affidavit Not a Proper Basis for Dismissing Complaint By Laura Castagna Civil Practice and Procedure, May 2026 In Skarbek v. Woodman’s Food Market, the Second District held that a circuit clerk may not reject a complaint simply because it lacks an Illinois Supreme Court Rule 222(b) affidavit. This case reinforces the narrow scope of the clerk’s authority to reject filings. There are 24 permissible rejection categories under Rule 9; be familiar with those categories!
A Letter From the Chair By Sarah J. Taylor Rural Practice, July 2026 A reminder of the mission and efforts of the Rural Practice Section to improve the practice of law in rural areas, with a note from the current Chair of the Rural Practice Section Council. 
A Letter From the Chair By Nicholas P. Jordan State and Local Taxation, July 2026 The new chair of the State and Local Taxation Section Council reflects on the 90th birthday of the section, the section's efforts in recent and future legislation, a glimpse into how you can be involved in the section this bar year, and the importance of IBF Champions. 
Letter From the Chair By Angel Wawrzynek Rural Practice, May 2026 A note from the Chair of the Rural Practice Section Council, discussing the Rural Practice Fellowship Program, discounted posts on ISBA's job board, and free section membership for the next bar year. 
Letter From the Chair By Jill D. Leka Human and Civil Rights, February 2026 A note from the Chair of the Human & Civil Rights Section Council, reflecting on current events. 
Letter From the Chairperson By Nancy Metsker-Handegan Agricultural Law, July 2026 An introduction to the current Chair of the Agricultural Law Section Council and a look at the year ahead. 
Letter From the Editor By Khara Coleman Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, May 2026 A letter from the Editor of The Challenge, highlighting the essence of REM, and the important role of advocacy, justice, and inclusion. 
Letter to the Editor for Bench & Bar Section Council Newsletter By Hon. Michael S. Jordan Bench and Bar, April 2026 A response to a previous article published in this newsletter, highlighting the necessity for conversations about justice for all. 
Leveraging Generative AI: Transforming the Practice of Law By George Bellas Legal Technology, Standing Committee on, March 2026 A general review of how legal practitioners can use these tools in their practice from a broad perspective.
The Limits of Parental Liability: Key Insights for Illinois Family Law Practitioners By Melisa Quinones Child Law, February 2026 A case summary and analysis of Dicks v. Kuntz, a recent 4th District Appellate Court case that examines the boundaries of parental liability in negligent entrustment claims. 
A Little Bit, on Little Bits of Microplastics By William J. Anaya Environmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2026 Microplastics have been making big waves in the headlines, but what are microplastics and how concerned should we be about the presence of microplastics in our environment? Sound science and high-quality toxicity data are essential to understanding the potential toxicity of microplastics. While the presence of microplastics may be concerning, the toxic effect of microplastics has yet to be determined.
Love and Marriage Go Together Like… By Sandra Crawford, J.D. Family Law, July 2026 Although divorce is, by its nature, emotionally exacting and often accompanied by pain, anger, and betrayal, it need not be conducted without dignity or care. By engaging one another with empathy, respect, and cooperation, modeled by their lawyers and other professionals, people may “divorce well,” minimizing harm and laying the groundwork for healthier post‑marital relationships.
Love, Money, and the Family Business: Considerations to Prevent Private Disagreements From Becoming Public Legal Battles By Meghan E. Tepas Business Advice and Financial Planning, June 2026 Family wealth conflicts sit at the collision point of personal history and legal obligation. Understanding the duties that govern trustees, executors, directors, and officers; acknowledging the family dynamics that so often cause disputes; and designing plans that factor in reality can keep private tensions from boiling over in court. 
Love, Money, and the Family Business: Considerations To Prevent Private Disagreements From Becoming Public Legal Battles By Meghan E. Tepas Trusts and Estates, April 2026 Family wealth conflicts sit at the collision point of personal history and legal obligation. Understanding the duties that govern trustees, executors, directors, and officers; acknowledging the family dynamics that so often cause disputes; and designing plans that factor in reality can keep private tensions from boiling over in court. 
Mark Your Calendar for Our Upcoming Federal Taxation Section Council Business Meeting Federal Taxation, July 2026 Don't miss the next Federal Taxation Section Council Business Meeting on August 28!
Mark Your Calendars… Elder Law, July 2026 Don't miss the Illinois State Fair, from August 13 through August 23, 2026, and other holidays and days of remembrance in August. 
Mark Your Calendars… Elder Law, May 2026 Don't miss the ISBA Annual Meeting and several celebratory days and holidays in the month of June! 
Mark Your Calendars… Elder Law, April 2026 A look ahead at May and upcoming holidays, celebratory days, and commemorative days. 
Mark Your Calendars… Elder Law, March 2026 April brings several observatory months, including National Financial Literacy Month and National Volunteer Month; holidays, such as Easter; and celebratory days, including Denim Day and National Scrabble Day.