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, August 2026Summaries of recent cases that explore a trustee's ability to use trust assets to fund a trustee's legal fees and a reversed dismissal of a beneficiary's breach of fiduciary claims relative to a trust.
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Estates, January 2026A summary and analysis of Estate of John Podmajersky, Jr., a 1st District of the Appellate Court unpublished decision.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 SummariesBy Hon. Thomas GrippandoAdministrative Law, September 2026An exploration of Potek v. City of Chicago, a recent First District Appellate Court case; how and why administrative decisions are overturned in courts; and examples of errors that did and did not justify reversal of a final administrative decision.
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: Bogot v. Haverford Homeowners Ass’n (Master Association and Assessments Under the Condominium Property Act)By Nicky VogelReal Estate Law, September 2026The First District held that a homeowners association governing a mixed development of detached homes and condominium units is a master association under the Condominium Property Act, and is therefore governed by the Condominium Property Act and excluded from the Common Interest Community Association Act (CICA)—even though its own declaration disclaimed master-association status. The court affirmed dismissal of the condominium owners' challenges to the association's assessments and structure in full.
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.
Case Summary: First United Methodist Church v. Dep’t of Revenue (Charitable-Purpose Property Exemption Granted)By Nicky VogelReal Estate Law, September 2026In First United Methodist Church, the appellate court reversed the Director of Revenue's decision and affirmed the circuit court, holding that the church's property qualified for the charitable-purpose property tax exemption under section 15-65 of the Property Tax Code for the 2021 tax year. Because the charitable exemption was dispositive, the court did not reach the alternative religious-purpose exemption under section 15-40.
Case Summary: Griffith Foods Int’l, Inc. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PABy James NyesteInsurance Law, April 2026A decisive win for the insurance industry regarding pollution exclusions in standard CGL policies, the Illinois Supreme Court recently decided an issue of insurance liability coverage for environmental discharge of pollutants in Griffith Foods v. National Union Fire Insurance.
Case Summary: Legacy Re, Ltd. v. 401 Properties Limited P’shipBy Kevin CamdenReal Estate Law, August 2026An analysis of Legacy Re v. 401 Properties, a First District Illinois Appellate Court case exploring the appeal of a judgment of foreclosure and later approved judicial sale of property.
Case Summary: People v. UseniBy James SternTraffic Laws and Courts, January 2026The People v. Useni decision explores why base allegations are not sufficient to deny bail.
Chair ColumnBy Staci BalbirerFamily Law, May 2026Learn more about the new incoming Chair of the Family Law Section Council, Matthew Benson!
Chair ColumnBy Staci BalbirerFamily Law, February 2026A note from the Chair of the ISBA Family Law Section Council.
Chair ColumnBy Staci BalbirerFamily Law, January 2026A note from the Chair of the Family Law Section Council.
Chair’s ColumnBy Sarah J. TaylorRural Practice, September 2026Learn more about the recent collaborative CLE with the Rural Practice Section, ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, and the Fayette County Bar Association; and don't forget to apply for the Rural Practice Fellowship Program before September 18, 2026!
Chair’s ColumnBy Joe SouligneYoung Lawyers Division, September 2026A note from the Chair of the Young Lawyers Division, introducing the efforts of YLD and how you can become involved.
Chair’s ColumnBy Harry DubnickCivil Practice and Procedure, August 2026A note from the new Chair of the Civil Practice & Procedure Section Council, discussing the current newsletter issue and planned efforts from the Council in the upcoming bar year.
Chair’s ColumnBy Staci BalbirerFamily Law, March 2026Budgeting before, during, and after divorce: a roadmap for you and your clients.
Chair’s ColumnBy Natalia CurtoInternational and Immigration Law, February 2026A note from the Chair of the International and Immigration Law Section Council, reflecting on current events.
Chair’s CornerBy Julia Kaye WykoffCriminal Justice, January 2026A note from the Chair of the Criminal Justice Section Council regarding the current issue.
Changes Are A-Coming: SB3524 Child Support ChangesBy Nancy Chausow ShaferFamily Law, May 2026Child support disputes have often been dominated by "the Cliff," or the change in child support if the parenting time of each parent is at least 146 overnights. SB3524 would alter the current child support landscape, by providing additional adjustments for 110 to 146 overnights.
Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits CommitteeBy Lee PolkEmployee Benefits, January 2026The outline for the Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee Meeting, hosted on November 21, 2025, discussing various issues related to alternative assets, investments, and defined contribution plans.
