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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When a Private Home Becomes a Regulated Workplace: Employment Law Considerations for Hiring Nannies in IllinoisBy Kat GaineyWomen and the Law, February 2026For many families juggling careers and children, hiring an in-home nanny often feels like a practical solution to an everyday problem. The arrangement appears personal, private, and even informal; however, unlike traditional employment relationships, in-home childcare frequently begins through word-of-mouth referrals, casual interviews, and handshake agreements. Yet few families pause to consider the legal implications that accompany recurring childcare.
When Does the Deliberate Encounter Exception Apply to an Open and Obvious Condition?By Brent R. EamesTort Law, February 2026An analysis of the appellate court’s reasoning in Hertz v. City of Fairbury: Based upon the court’s reasoning in Hertz, it should be clear that any defect which only poses a minor inconvenience to navigate will not be considered valid for purposes of invoking the deliberate encounter exception to an open and obvious condition.
When HR Becomes the Problem: A Worker Side Employment Lawyer’s Take on the $11.5m SHRM VerdictBy David J. FishLabor and Employment Law, January 2026Even though human resources departments are supposed to be the internal guardrails, HR is often the accelerant. A look at the recent jury verdict against the Society for Human Resource Management highlights the importance of HR departments to protect the company and to protect fairness.
When “Owner-Operator” Really Means “Independent Contractor”By Gregory S. KeltnerWorkers’ Compensation Law, February 2026In Boyce v. Redbird Carriers, 25 IWCC 0327, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission affirmed and adopted, without modification, the Arbitrator’s decision denying benefits on the basis that no employer-employee relationship existed between the petitioner truck driver and respondent motor carrier.
