The Board of Peace Makes Its Mark, but It May Be Heading for Conflict in the USPTOBy Steven L. BaronIntellectual Property, March 2026On February 19, 2026, President Trump’s newly created Board of Peace (“BOP”) held its inaugural gathering to discuss how to rebuild Gaza.Setting aside the propriety and potential efficacy of the BOP, there are now four pending intent-to-use trademark applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) for BOARD OF PEACE trademarks, two filed by the government and two filed by a non-profit.
Bock Food Law & Policy Conference Agrivoltaics ObservationsBy Alan E. StumpfEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2026Esoteric subjects for most Illinois attorneys were presented in Carbondale, Illinois at the Simmons School of Law on September 19, 2025. However, after listening to the presentations (available online through ISBA) the information presented gives us a legal and policy background helpful to know when counselling our clients’ legal matters that relate to agricultural production.
Book Review: “Life, Law & Liberty”By Gary T. RafoolHuman and Civil Rights, May 2026A book review of Life, Law & Liberty, a memoir from Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, detailing his early life, rise to the United States Supreme Court, and prominent cases in which his legal expertise played a key role.
Book Review: “Life, Law & Liberty”By Gary T. RafoolSenior Lawyers, February 2026A book review of Life, Law & Liberty, a memoir from Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, detailing his early life, rise to the United States Supreme Court, and prominent cases in which his legal expertise played a key role.
Book Review: “The Human Scale”By Gary T. RafoolSenior Lawyers, February 2026The book, The Human Scale, details the history of Palestine, Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, Gaza, and the Sini.
Book Review: We the Women…the Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America By Norah O’DonnellBy Judge Naomi H. SchusterFamily Law, July 2026As we enter the 250th anniversary of America, it's important to remember the American heroines who helped change the course of history. We the Women follows 35 women throughout American history, across the span of 50 years, to discuss their contributions to and influences on our country.
Book Review: We the Women…the Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America By Norah O’DonnellBy Judge Naomi H. SchusterSenior Lawyers, June 2026As we enter the 250th anniversary of America, it's important to remember the American heroines who helped change the course of history. We the Women follows 35 women throughout American history, across the span of 50 years, to discuss their contributions to and influences on our country.
Budget UpdatesElder Law, March 2026A summary of federal and state budget updates that may impact resources and programs that serve the aging population.
Call for ArticlesElder Law, July 2026Learn more about how you can submit your article for publication in the Elder Law Section Newsletter!
Call for ArticlesElder Law, May 2026If you have an article that you'd like to share with the Elder Law Section, consider submitting it for publication in the Elder Law Newsletter!
Call for ArticlesEmployee Benefits, April 2026Don't miss your chance to become a published author in the Employee Benefits Section Newsletter--find out more about how to submit an article for consideration.
Call for ArticlesElder Law, April 2026Submit your article to the Elder Law Newsletter today!
Call for ArticlesElder Law, March 2026Learn how you can submit an article for the Elder Law Newsletter!
Call for ArticlesElder Law, February 2026Read about how you can submit your articles for the Elder Law Section Newsletter.
Call for Articles and ParticipationInsurance Law, June 2026Don't forget to submit your articles for consideration in The Policy newsletter or participate on the Insurance Law Section and the Council for opportunities to receive CLE credit!
Call to Action: Build a Bridge From Courthouse to CommunityBy Margie Komes Putzler & Avery TenEcykWorkers’ Compensation Law, February 2026Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford is excited to unveil a forward and public-facing initiative: Build a Bridge from Courthouse to Community, founded on the premise that there is diminished confidence in our legal system, and it is the responsibility of lawyers and judges to make information about the operation of the courts more accessible and transparent to the people we serve.
Call to Action: Build a Bridge From Courthouse to CommunityBy Margie Komes Putzler & Avery TenEcykWomen and the Law, February 2026Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford is excited to unveil a forward and public-facing initiative: Build a Bridge from Courthouse to Community, founded on the premise that there is diminished confidence in our legal system, and it is the responsibility of lawyers and judges to make information about the operation of the courts more accessible and transparent to the people we serve.
Can a Member of a Metal Band Be Fired at Will?By Robin SheaLabor and Employment Law, January 2026Chris Beattie, a founder of and bass player for the metalcore band Hatebreed is suing over his dismissal from the band. Despite several claims relating to Mr. Beattie's termination from the band, it is highly likely his claims will be unsuccessful.
Case BriefsBy ISBA ADR Section CouncilAlternative Dispute Resolution, May 2026Select case summaries that are relevant to alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration agreement did not bind plaintiff absent clear evidence of intent, contractual waiver of right to appeal is not clear, arbitration agreement without both parties' signatures was unenforceable, and more.
Case BriefsBy ISBA ADR Section CouncilAlternative Dispute Resolution, March 2026A compilation of case summaries relevant to alternative dispute resolution, including topics such as waiver of arbitration, sua sponte findings, deference to arbitral tribunals, and more.
Case BriefsBy Deborah HawkinsAlternative Dispute Resolution, February 2026A collection of case summaries that discuss alternative dispute resolution, from staying a petition to compel arbitration, to arbitration fees, and more!
Case Law UpdateBy Meghan E. TepasTrusts and Estates, January 2026A summary and analysis of Estate of John Podmajersky, Jr., a 1st District of the Appellate Court unpublished decision.
Case Review: People v. Greer, 2025 IL App (1st) 232302-UBy David FranksTraffic Laws and Courts, May 2026(1) Defendant’s convictions for aggravated driving under the influence based on actual impairment were reversed where there was no evidence showing that defendant’s use of cannabis proximately caused the fatal crash. (2) There was no appellate jurisdiction to review the merits of defendant’s arguments with respect to two unsentenced, and therefore nonfinal, convictions for aggravated driving under the influence based on defendant’s THC concentration, requiring a remand for sentence on those counts. (3) Defendant’s conviction for reckless homicide was affirmed where evidence that defendant was traveling more than 90 miles-per-hour, combined with other circumstances, rationally supported the jury’s finding that his conduct was reckless, and where defendant’s remaining allegations of error either did not show an abuse of discretion or amount to clear and obvious error under the plain-error doctrine.
Case SummariesInsurance Law, January 2026Case summaries from E-Clips, including an in-depth summary of Reynolds v. State Farm Life Insurance Co., considering whether the Genetic Information and Privacy Act applies to life insurance underwriting.
Case Summary: Chicago Title Land Tr. Co. v. Sara Watkin, 2025 IL App (1st) 241354By Philip J. VaccoReal Estate Law, March 2026An Illinois appellate court ruled that even if the statute of limitations prevents enforcement of a promissory note or mortgage foreclosure, the mortgage lien itself does not automatically disappear and can remain a cloud on the property’s title. Under Illinois law, the lien continues until 20 years after the debt’s maturity unless the mortgagee fails to take required actions to extend it under Section 13-116. As a result, old mortgage liens may still affect property titles even when the underlying debt can no longer be legally enforced.
