Settling Cases by Consent JudgmentBy Hon. Alon SteinCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, February 2026Yes, you do have settlement authority and you are negotiating in good faith if the only thing your client can offer at a pretrial settlement conference is a consent judgment!
Smaller Estates Are Not Always Simpler To AdministerBy Hayden R. EarlYoung Lawyers Division, March 2026For many attorneys who are new to estate administration, it may be tempting to gravitate towards working on smaller estates, under the guise that probate will be simpler. Though, at first, it may seem intuitive that an estate with a single, easily identifiable asset would be easy to administer, smaller does not always mean simpler.
Sole Proximate Cause—Whose Burden Is It Anyway?By Judge Eileen Marie O’ConnorTort Law, May 2026Although a party may plead in the alternative and assert multiple theories of sole proximate cause, the trial court must serve as gatekeeper to ensure that this burden is met. Specifically, the court must ensure that the defendant presents competent evidence establishing that a third party, condition, or combination thereof constituted the sole—rather than a merely contributing—cause of the plaintiff’s injury. Absent such safeguards, the doctrine of sole proximate cause risks misapplication, inviting jury confusion and undermining the integrity of the verdict.
Spotlight on Court-Appointed NeutralsBy Judge Ann Breen-GrecoAlternative Dispute Resolution, March 2026The Southern California Mediation Association has done extensive work on promoting Court-Appointed Neutrals, most recently with a webinar that explores the benefits of Court-Appointed Neutrals, illustrating lessons that may be applicable for the effective administration of justice in Illinois.
Spotlight on Section Member Kathryn GarlowFederal Taxation, March 2026Learn more about Section Council Member, Kathryn Garlow, including her career trajectory, interests in tax law, and her hobbies.
State Legislative Update: New Education Laws Part IIBy Phil MilskEducation Law, February 2026Learn more about new legislation for 2026 that impacts education law, including ABLE Account Information, Safety Drills and Substitutes, AI Guidance, and more.
State Prosecutions of ICE AgentsBy Natalia GalicaCriminal Justice, April 2026In recent months, state and local communities have been increasingly clashing with federal officers over immigration enforcement tactics. In response, for example, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed the “ICE on Notice” executive order. In theory, Mayor Johnson’s executive order seems to be an apt solution to increasing calls for accountability. In reality, however, state prosecutions of federal agents come with some unique challenges.
Status of Challenges to Tax Deed ProceedingsBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2026On February 6, 2026, Senate Bill 3940 was filed by Senator Celina Villanueva. The Bill is an attempt to bring Illinois into compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court holding in the case of Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, which was decided on May 25, 2023.
Still Skeptical About Using AI in Your Law Practice? You Don’t Need to Use It for Legal Work to Benefit From ItBy Kimberly DudaBench and Bar, May 2026Artificial intelligence has become one of the most discussed topics in the legal profession, particularly in conversations about legal research, contract review, and document drafting. For many solo practitioners and small-firm lawyers, however, the most practical use of AI may be far less ambitious—and far more immediately useful: helping lawyers run their practices more efficiently without being used for substantive legal work.
Still Skeptical About Using AI in Your Law Practice? You Don’t Need to Use It for Legal Work to Benefit From ItBy Kimberly DudaGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2026Artificial intelligence has become one of the most discussed topics in the legal profession, particularly in conversations about legal research, contract review, and document drafting. For many solo practitioners and small-firm lawyers, however, the most practical use of AI may be far less ambitious—and far more immediately useful: helping lawyers run their practices more efficiently without being used for substantive legal work.
Summary of the Illinois Annual Cannabis Report for 2025 and the Illinois Adult Use Cannabis Health Advisory Committee’s 2025 ReportBy Cole PrestonCannabis Law, May 2026The Illinois State Police (ISP) provide “enforcement, investigation, and processing of all cannabis-related criminal offenses.” This includes curbing illicit market activity, defined as non-taxed sales and possession, enforcing laws related to driving under the influence, and overseeing security requirements within the legal cannabis industry. Through its Cannabis Control Office (CCO), the agency conducts monthly inspections of all facilities operating under Illinois’ adult use and medical cannabis laws.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramElder Law, February 2026The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has brought many changes to several areas of law and federal programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. These changes will alter eligibility requirements, potentially impacting a large swath of the nearly 2 million individuals who rely on this assistance in Illinois.
Supreme Court NewsElder Law, May 2026The Illinois Supreme Court has instituted a handful of changes and amendments in the past month, including new post judgment collection form; and amendments to Illinois Supreme Court Rules 705, 717, 793, 795, 711, and 703.
The Supreme Court’s Unanimous Decision on the Standard of Review for Removal OrdersBy Jesse J. SolisInternational and Immigration Law, April 2026The Urias-Orellana et al. v. Bondi, Attorney General case held that the First Circuit applied the correct standard of review when reviewing the Board of Immigration Appeals’ determination for substantial evidence regarding persecution.
T&E Q&A Recap: Guardianship Basics and BeyondBy Melissa A. GrisoniTrusts and Estates, May 2026A summary of the "Basics and Beyond" Zoom Q&A session, held on March 26, 2026, discussing the fundamentals of guardianship, and providing a roadmap for practitioners to navigate the complexities of both guardian of the person and estate for minors and disabled adults.
T&E Q&A: The Basics and Beyond—Trust FundingBy Melissa A. GrisoniTrusts and Estates, March 2026A summary of the topics covered in the "T&E Q&A: The Basics and Beyond" meeting via Zoom on January 22, 2026, hosted by the ISBA Trusts & Estates Section Subcommittee on Lawyers Who are New to Trusts & Estates. Don't miss the next one!
A Taste of NetworkingBy Molly Anne KrebsYoung Lawyers Division, March 2026A recap of the YLD Speed Networking and Wine Tasting event, held on February 27, 2026, at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office!
Teaching an AI to Do Your Busywork: A Practical GuideBy Elisabeth A. RitterGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2026AI can be a powerful tool for solo or small firm practitioners who would like to automate administrative tasks and increase the amount of hours available to spend on client matters. Find the task you like least. Describe it clearly. See what happens.
Terminating Guardianship & Returning the Child to a Parent: Reconciling Best Interests With the Parental PresumptionBy Sean McCumberChild Law, May 2026Guardianship of a minor under the Illinois Probate Act is frequently born of crisis. What guardianship is not, however, is a termination of parental rights. It is a protective device, designed to ensure that a child has someone legally able to act on the child’s behalf. Yet, when the parent stabilizes and seeks to terminate the guardianship, the legal terrain can become far more complex than the statute’s language might suggest. There is not just an automatic return home.
There’s Still Time To Nominate YourselfBy Margo Lynn Hablutzel, J.D.Corporate Law Departments, March 2026Learn how to get involved in the Corporate Law Departments Section, from CLE programs, to writing an article for the newsletter!
Three 2026 Predictions for Food and Beverage Products From MintelBy Andy HanacekFood Law, February 2026Learn more about the predicted 2026 food trends that are expected to dominate the food industry this year: maxxing out and diversity in; retro rejuvenation; and intentionally sensory. Jenny Zegler, director of Food and Drink for Mintel, joins the podcast this time around to dig into the details of three predictions that Mintel has made for 2026 for the food and beverage industry.
Three Smart Phone Applications for Young Lawyers’ Mental WellbeingBy Maura AsheYoung Lawyers Division, May 2026It's important for lawyers to prioritize their mental health, which may include taking frequent breaks, finding time to exercise, and focusing on nutritious meals. While it may not always be feasible for a young attorney to expend the time required for those activities, a re-set can easily be found through apps available to smart phones, including the How We Feel app, the Insight Timer app, and the Calm app.
Tips for Handling Civil Cases Throughout the State of IllinoisBy Dennis M. LynchRural Practice, March 2026It is becoming more common for attorneys to expand their geographical footprint, necessitating becoming familiar with many different jurisdictions. Prior to expansion, be sure to check local rules and standing orders, talk to locals, observe the judge and the community, determine appropriateness of Zoom appearances, and, most importantly, always be kind.
