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.
The Three Types of Driving Abstracts and What They Show and Do Not ShowBy Ted HarvatinTraffic Laws and Courts, July 2026The Illinois Secretary of State is charged with keeping records of a driver’s traffic ticket and driving history. Some of these are made public, some are kept internally, and even more information is contained in a third "abstract." This article explains all three types of abstracts.
Time Is MoneyBy Michael G. CortinaBench and Bar, May 2026Litigants and lawyers alike should consider if having a dispute resolved via arbitration is actually in everyone’s best interests. While the expedited award allows for a swift conclusion, it should be decided by everyone involved if the speed of the award is worth the cost.
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.
Title IX and the Fragile State of Student Due ProcessBy Sheraya BernardEducation Law, May 2026This article examines shifting Title IX regulations regarding disciplinary proceedings and the impact of Seventh Circuit deference.
Top 5 Email Management/Organization Tips for OutlookBy Kimberly A. HiltonAgricultural Law, February 2026Managing email can be overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling multiple tasks or handling a high volume of messages. Fortunately, Microsoft Outlook offers several powerful features to help streamline your workflow, improve productivity, and ensure you never miss an important task or email. Here are my top five email management tips for Outlook to help you stay organized and efficient.
Tort TrendsBy Ava L. CaffariniTort Law, April 2026In a 2023 opinion, Health and Hosp. Corp. of Marion Cnty. v. Talevski, the Supreme Court of the United States found that specific sections of the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act provided a private right of action for nursing home residents enforceable through 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against their government-operated nursing homes.
Transferee Liability for Unpaid Estate Taxes Can Haunt Fiduciaries and Beneficiaries for DecadesBy Sandra D. MertensFederal Taxation, May 2026The IRS typically does not decide to audit a Form 706 until nine months after the filing date. Moreover, since 2021, estate tax closing letters are not routinely issued, but must be specifically requested with a fee payment. For these reasons, executors and trustees should make sure to work closely with a tax return preparer knowledgeable about estate taxes who can properly advise about the payment deadlines, closing procedures, and consequences for non-payment.
TrumpIRA.govElder Law, May 2026Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, Promoting Retirement-Savings Access for American Workers By Establishing TrumpIRA.gov, on April 30, 2026.
Turn On Your Video!By Judge James A. Shapiro & Thomas DeMouyAgricultural Law, June 2026Few things are more annoying to a judge than when we can't see the litigant or lawyer we are addressing (or who is addressing us). During the height of the pandemic, there were judges who were not turning on their video as well. Without naming names, my former presiding judge once had to remind everyone in the division to turn on their videos. For judges, attorneys, and litigants, the lesson is clear: Zoom court requires the same decorum as a physical courtroom.
Turn On Your Video!By Judge James A. Shapiro & Thomas DeMouyRural Practice, January 2026Few things are more annoying to a judge than when we can't see the litigant or lawyer we are addressing (or who is addressing us). During the height of the pandemic, there were judges who were not turning on their video as well. Without naming names, my former presiding judge once had to remind everyone in the division to turn on their videos. For judges, attorneys, and litigants, the lesson is clear: Zoom court requires the same decorum as a physical courtroom.
Unclaimed PropertyIntellectual Property, June 2026February 1 was National Unclaimed Property Day. Unclaimed property includes forgotten or overlooked bank accounts; certificates of deposit; stocks and bonds; overpayments, refunds, and uncashed rebate checks; unpaid insurance claims; and the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes.
Unclaimed PropertyElder Law, February 2026February 1 was National Unclaimed Property Day. Unclaimed property includes forgotten or overlooked bank accounts; certificates of deposit; stocks and bonds; overpayments, refunds, and uncashed rebate checks; unpaid insurance claims; the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes; and more.
The Unconstitutional Barrier Blocking Review of Errant Rulings by the Appellate Panel of the Worker’s Compensation DivisionBy Kurt NiermannWorkers’ Compensation Law, June 2026As with every other decision-making body in the world, decisions from the workers' compensation appellate panel are not always consistent with precedent, the text of the Act, or even the goals of the underlying system.The problem comes from a gatekeeper feature in Supreme Court Rule 315(a), governing workers’ compensation appeals to the Supreme Court.
Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs or Impairment From Mental Health Issues?By Terrence WallaceTraffic Laws and Courts, May 2026This article discusses the decision in People v. Garcia where the Second District Appellate Court was asked whether mental health defenses applied in strict liability cases such as DUI, and whether the failure to present that defense constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel.
Unforeseeable Business Circumstances Exception as a Defense to a Claim Brought Under the WARN ActBy Hon. Alon SteinCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, April 2026The WARN Act requires that business enterprises which employ 100 or more employees give employees 60-days notice in advance of any mass layoffs or plant closings, unless certain exceptions apply. The Unforeseeable Business Circumstances Exception is very fact sensitive. Attorneys need to be aware of this argument when defending WARN Act claims.
Unique Statutory Liens in Agriculture for Uncertain TimesBy Kyle TompkinsAgricultural Law, March 2026In Illinois, the law provides for several unique protections for agricultural stakeholders during difficult times through agricultural liens, including Landlord Lien, Agister's Lien, Thresherman's Lien, and Warehouseman's Lien.
Upcoming CLE: Defending Democracy and Safeguarding the Rule of LawBy Junaid M. AfeefHuman and Civil Rights, April 2026The 2026 Rule of Law Symposium, Defending Democracy: Protecting the Rule of Law, will be hosted on May 8, 2026, in Chicago, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This program will feature sitting and retired judges, legal scholars, civil rights advocates, nonprofit attorneys, and private practitioners. Register today!
Updated Judgment Enforcement Forms: Citations To Discover AssetsBy Robert G. MarkoffCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, April 2026The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, Access to Justice Division, Forms Project, has just released updated forms for the enforcement of judgments. The new forms are effective immediately. They incorporate changes required by Public Act 104-0120 effective January 1, 2026.
The U.S. Citizenship Application Process Is Changing in 2025By John RottierDiversity Leadership Council, June 2026Changes to the U.S. naturalization process took effect on October 20, 2025, including new civic test, stricter rules for exemptions, re-introducing neighborhood investigations, revised moral character standard, and more.
