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!
An Update on FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule: What Illinois Agricultural Law Practitioners Need to KnowBy Sam Ellis, Kendal A. Schoepfer, & Cari Brett RinckerAgricultural Law, September 2026FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule is currently halted following the Eastern District of Texas’ decision in Flowers Title Companies, LLC v. Bessent. Accordingly, Illinois agricultural law practitioners should not treat the vacated rule as an active filing obligation.
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.
The U.S. Citizenship Application Process Is Changing in 2025By John RottierInternational and Immigration Law, February 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.
U.S. EPA Extends Compliance Deadlines for NSPSBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2026In July of 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an interim final rule to extend several compliance deadlines in the 2024 New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines for Oil and Gas Operations commonly known as OOOOb/c.
U.S. FDA & USDA Food Regulation UpdatesBy Sandhya SashikumarFood Law, April 2026Regulatory changes from the FDA and USDA are reshaping how products are formulated, labeled, and marketed. Leveraging regulatory compliance software can help brands monitor and adapt to new food safety rules efficiently, avoiding costly recalls and protecting consumer trust.
Use Caution With Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of LawBy Michelle PorroWorkers’ Compensation Law, February 2026AI is here to stay. Due to the federal void in guidance regarding the use of AI generated content, the Illinois Supreme Court published its policy regarding the use of AI effective on January 1, 2025. Attorneys must be sure to familiarize themselves with AI guidance and rules to uphold ethical obligations and professional standards.
Using AI in Federal Taxation PracticeBy Sandra D. MertensFederal Taxation, July 2026While even the IRS admits the powerful potential in AI to streamline routine tasks, enhance research, and provide valuable insights, final decisions must always rest with a qualified tax professional who understands the complexities of tax law and ethical standards.
The Value of NetworkingBy Nichol BensonGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2026Networking can be the best investment for solo or small firms. Whether traditional methods of networking, such as becoming a member of a bar association, or through social media, it's never too early or too late to make a new connection in life.
Victory! Federal Court Orders Terminated USDA Farmer and Community Grants To Be ReinstatedFood Law, April 2026Major win: A preliminary injunction was granted in a lawsuit against the USDA, requiring the agency to restore wrongfully terminated grants and funding that support tree planning, growing food in underserved communities, training new farmers, and helping farmers adopt climate-friendly practices.
Viewpoint: How Close Are We To Seeing “Influencers” Use AI To Fake AG Images?By Amanda ZaluckyjFood Law, February 2026With the progressive rise of AI, we’re starting to see the downside of artificial intelligence, and not just from pranks gone too far. We’ll soon be living in a world where the truth is even more convoluted, and we won’t be able to believe what we see with our eyes. Does our society have the critical thinking skills necessary to handle that?
Visa Processing Paused for 75 Countries: What Immigrant Visa Applicants Need To KnowBy John RottierInternational and Immigration Law, February 2026On January 14, 2026, the Trump Administration announced a significant change to U.S. immigrant visa processing. Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State will pause the issuance of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 designated countries, based on a new policy that creates a presumption of public charge inadmissibility for individuals applying with passports from the affected countries.
Vivek Shah’s Vexatious LitigationBy Margo Lynn Hablutzel, J.D.Intellectual Property, September 2026For the last few years, companies all over the United States have received a letter from a man named Vivek Shah, demanding payment for alleged violations of California’s Invasion of Privacy Act. Finally, in July, Judge R. Gary Klausner, with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, granted a motion declaring Vivek Shah to be a Vexatious Litigant. While the order is limited to one district, other recipients of communications from Shah are cheered by their ability to use it, along with his history of letters and litigation, to ask the same relief of other courts.
Volunteer Tutor OpportunityElder Law, October 2026Lawyers Lend-A-Hand is looking for volunteer tutors to help low-income elementary school children become better readers.
Wearable AI Note-Takers: What Illinois Lawyers Should Know Before Pressing RecordBy Elizabeth WakemanTrusts and Estates, October 2026A new category of hardware has arrived in conference rooms, client meetings, and mediation sessions: the wearable AI note-taker. These are pendants, clips, glasses, bracelets, and pins that record ambient conversation, push the audio to a cloud service, and return a transcript, a summary, and a list of action items. For a lawyer who has ever tried to take usable notes while maintaining eye contact with a crying client, the appeal is obvious.
Wearable AI Note-Takers: What Illinois Lawyers Should Know Before Pressing RecordBy Elizabeth WakemanFamily Law, August 2026A new category of hardware has arrived in conference rooms, client meetings, and mediation sessions: the wearable AI note-taker. These are pendants, clips, glasses, bracelets, and pins that record ambient conversation, push the audio to a cloud service, and return a transcript, a summary, and a list of action items. For a lawyer who has ever tried to take usable notes while maintaining eye contact with a crying client, the appeal is obvious.
Welcome to 2026 Where Life Happens as We Try To Hold the Line on DecorumBy Hon. Michael J. ChmielCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, February 2026A note from the Editor of the Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy Newsletter regarding the current issue and the start of the new year.
Wellbeing of Caregivers in the Legal Profession: Why Caregivers Make Better Lawyers and the System Changes Needed for SupportBy Hannah R. LamoreWomen and the Law, May 2026On March 11, 2026, the Standing Committee on Women and the Law presented a continuing education program titled Wellbeing for Caregivers in the Legal Profession. It featured Anna Krolikowska of Anna K. Law, Professor Michelle Browning Coughlin of Northern Kentucky University College of Law, and Paulette Brown of MindSetPower, LLC. The program was intended for anyone who may be in a position of caregiving while practicing law: a young lawyer with a new family, an attorney who is faced with caring for an ailing spouse or elderly parents, and any caregiving demands in between.
What Elegant Legal Writing Gets Right About Legal WritingBy Jake A. LeahyYoung Lawyers Division, January 2026Elegant Legal Writing by Ryan McCarl offers several valuable, insightful tips that can be employed by young lawyers to take your legal writing to the next level.
