Local Government Law

The Procrastination Puzzle

By Ed Finkel
January
2025
Cover Story
, Page 20
Attorneys need to better understand this bad habit to overcome it.
1 comment (Most recent January 8, 2025)

City Limits

By Ed Finkel
November
2024
Cover Story
, Page 24
You can fight city hall, but it’s complicated.

LIVE WEB - Life Today Can Seem So Taxing - Part 1: Sales, Income, and Transaction Tax Issues in Illinois and Chicago

January 8, 2026
Presented by the ISBA State and Local Taxation Section

Live Webcast
Thursday, January 8, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.

2.75 hours MCLE credit

Don’t miss Part 1 of this two-part series that explores several hot topic tax issues. State and local tax attorneys, government lawyers, general practitioners, and corporate law counsel with intermediate to advanced levels of practice experience who attend this online program will better understand:
  • How income taxes may be impacted by Illinois’ 2025 legislation;
  • The tax ordinances that were recently enacted in Chicago;
  • The state-wide tax regulations and rules that may impact your clients;
  • The changes that were adopted under House Bill 2755;
  • The estate tax law provisions that have been designed specifically for estate farms and small businesses; and
  • Much more.
Program Coordinators:
Nicole A. DeBella, The Law Offices of William J. Seitz, LLC, Northbrook
Gary H. Smith, Law Offices of Gary H. Smith, P.C., a division of Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, Chicago

Program Moderator:
David J. Kupiec, Kupiec & Martin, LLC, Chicago

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. State Tax Legislation Updates
Join us for this opening segment as we review the Illinois legislation that was enacted during the 2025 spring legislative session that impacts Illinois taxes, as well as the fall veto session, and what’s on the horizon for 2026.
Keith Staats, Duane Morris LLP, Chicago

9:45 – 10:30 a.m. Illinois and Chicago: Sales, Use, Transaction, and Taxes
This presentation examines the recent regulations, rulings, and sales and use tax cases in Illinois, while also providing an Illinois Department of Revenue update. Additionally, the tax ordinances that were recently enacted in Chicago and other Illinois local tax issues are also discussed.
David J. Kupiec, Kupiec & Martin, LLC, Chicago
Natalie M. Martin, Kupiec & Martin, LLC, Chicago

10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break

10:45 – 11:30 a.m. Highlights of 2025: Recent Illinois Legislative and Judicial Updates Impacting Income Tax
This segment examines the tax-related highlights from 2025, as well as Illinois’ legislative and judicial changes, which adopted several key changes under H.B. 2755, including: the shift from Joyce to Finnigan, the GILTI addback, the allocation of nonbusiness gain/loss from the sale of a pass-through entity (PTE), and eliminations to related party interest addback exceptions. A summary of these changes and commentary from a tax policy perspective is also included. Changes to the Illinois Gives Tax Credit, the Advancing Innovating Manufacturing for Illinois (AIM) Tax Credit, and the EDGE Credit are also discussed.
Samantha K. Breslow, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, Chicago
Brian Fliflet, Deputy General Counsel, Illinois Department of Revenue, Chicago

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Estate Tax: Special Valuation for Farms and Small Businesses
Get the information you need on the estate tax law provisions designed to provide relief to the estates of farms and small business owners, including special valuation and installment payment plans.
Joan Ellen Smuda, Bureau Chief, Revenue Litigation Bureau, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Chicago


For best practices, before attending the program using ISBA's Zoom platform, please visit our Technical Support page.

Program Information

  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member - $83
      • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
    • Non-Member - $193
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Student Members - Free
    • Special pricing is available for Legal Service Attorneys.
  • If you cannot attend the live web event, a full refund is available, if you cancel your registration up to the start of the live web event on the program page in your “My CLE Account”. 
  • Please Note: MCLE credit is available to registrants only on the day of this live event – and you must attend the entire program to earn MCLE credit. All registrants will receive access to a recording of the event a few days after the program, but credit is NOT available for the recording.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Course

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the ISBA Labor and Employment Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: November 18, 2022
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 19, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


This course satisfies the state-mandated training requirement!
Improve the culture of your office and satisfy your annually mandated sexual harassment prevention training requirement by attending this program. Consistent with the requirements established in Section 2-109(B) of the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act (Public Act 101-0220) this program will help you gain an understanding of what sexual harassment is, what remedies are available to victims of sexual harassment, and what responsibilities employers have in the prevention, investigation, and provision of corrective measures to address sexual harassment in the workplace. Topics include: reporting allegations; conditions of employment; settlement or termination agreements; and more. This program is open to both Illinois lawyers and their staff members.

Program Virtual Moderator:
Laura E. Schrick, Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., Belleville

Program Speakers:
Michael R. Lied, Attorney at Law, Dunlap
Thalia Pacheco, Fish Potter Bolaños, P.C., Chicago

Pricing Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

Lunchtime FOIA Series: Freedom of Information Act and Law Enforcement Records

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by ISBA’s Standing Committee on Government Lawyers
Co-presented by the ISBA Local Government Law Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 6, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss Part 3 of this lunchtime series that examines the unique challenges associated with law enforcement records, including body-worn cameras, investigations, and juvenile records. A look at the most common exemptions for law enforcement records (such as personal privacy and maintaining the integrity of an investigation) is also included.

Program Coordinators:
Bianca B. Brown, Pretzel & Stouffer, Chicago
Michele K. Niermann, Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., Chicago

Program Moderator:
Leilani A. Pino, Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Michele K. Niermann, Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., Chicago

Program Speaker:
Mallory A. Milluzzi, Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., Chicago


Program Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

8 Movie-Lawyers Who Would Be Disciplined in Real Life

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Master Series presented by the Illinois State Bar Association


1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 6, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Movies often depict lawyers behaving badly, acting unprofessionally, or blatantly violating rules of professional conduct – all for the sake of entertainment. But in real life, attorneys need to avoid these gaffes at all costs, learn from their mistake when they do occur, and understand the consequences that may arise in the aftermath. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Stuart Teicher as he examines both the obvious and subtle ethics violations being committed by lawyers in the movies and on television. Topics include:
  • Ex parte conversations with a judge (Rule 3.5);
  • How fictional lawyers are constantly disrupting a tribunal (Rule 3.4(d)); and
  • Your responsibility to report a colleague’s misconduct (Rule 8.3 (a)).

About the Speaker:
Stuart I. Teicher , Esq. is a professional legal educator who focuses on ethics law and writing instruction. A practicing lawyer for 30 years, Stuart’s career is now dedicated to helping fellow lawyers survive the practice of law and thrive in the profession. He teaches seminars, provides in-house training to law firms and legal departments, provides CLE instruction at law firm client events, and also gives keynote speeches at conventions and association meetings. Stuart helps lawyers get better at what they do (and enjoy the process) through his entertaining and educational CLE “performances.” He speaks, teaches, and writes. His most recent book is titled, How to Stop Hating the Law: A Path to Hope for Miserable Lawyers. Mr. Teicher is a Supreme Court appointee to the New Jersey District Ethics Committee where he investigates and prosecutes grievances filed against attorneys. He is an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown Law where he teaches Professional Responsibility, and served for 15 years as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University in New Brunswick where he taught undergraduate writing courses. He also taught both Professional Responsibility and Legal Writing at St. John’s University School of Law in New York City.


Pricing Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Clark v. City of Galena

Clark v. City of Galena
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Zoning
Citation
Case Number: 
2025 IL App (4th) 241245
Decision Date: 
Thursday, October 30, 2025
District: 
4th Dist.
Division/County: 
Jo Daviess Co.
Holding: 
Reversed.
Justice: 
GRISCHOW

Plaintiff filed a complaint challenging zoning decisions made by the defendant city by alleging various statutory and constitutional violations with respect to the rezoning of property and preliminary approval of a planned unit development by defendants developers. The trial court ruled against plaintiff on all counts except for on plaintiff’s claim of a violation of procedural due process and defendants appealed. The appellate court reversed the trial court’s ruling on the procedural due process claim and reinstated the ordinances amending the city’s zoning map. (LANNERD and VANCIL, concurring)

Lunchtime FOIA Series: Freedom of Information Act Case Law and Public Access Counselor Opinions Update

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by ISBA’s Standing Committee on Government Lawyers
Co-presented by the ISBA Local Government Law Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 21, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss Part 2 of this lunchtime series that offers you an in-depth overview of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act case law and Public Access Counselor Opinions update. Administrative law attorneys, civil practice lawyers, general practitioners, and local government counsel with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will better understand the 2025 Binding Public Access Counselor Decisions and 2025 Case Law Interpreting FOIA.

Program Coordinators:
Bianca B. Brown, Pretzel & Stouffer, Chicago
Michele K. Niermann, Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., Chicago

Program Moderator:
Bianca B. Brown, Pretzel & Stouffer, Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Michele K. Niermann, Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., Chicago

Program Speaker:
Marissa Spencer, Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo Ltd., Naperville



Pricing Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

NextGen Symposium 2025: Illinois' New Bar Exam Focuses on Getting Students "Practice Ready"

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Illinois Bar Foundation


6.25 hours MCLE credit, including 6.25 hours approved Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025 – Friday, September 12, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 30, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


 Why is Illinois joining 42 other jurisdictions that have chosen to implement NextGen for their bar exam? What effect will this implementation have on the practice of law in this state? How are these changes likely to impact both law school study and the legal community as a whole? Get the answers to these questions and more with these two half-day seminars that explore the various ways Illinois law schools are preparing their students to practice law in the real world. Topics include:
  • An overview of the NextGen Bar Exam;
  • How law school leadership can help students succeed after law school;
  • The historical efforts of the Illinois State Bar Association in helping prepare law students to practice law;
  • Understanding what the NextGen Bar Exam means for the future of legal education and the practice of law; and
  • A look at the new topics on the NextGen Bar Exam.


Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Ted A. Donner , Donner & Company Law Offices, LLC, Glen Ellyn

Overview: Illinois Adopts the NextGen Bar Exam*
Moderator: Prof. Wendy H. Vaughn, Northern Illinois University College of Law, DeKalb
Prof. Jon J. Lee , Distinguished Scholar in Residence, National Conference of Bar Examiners, Wisconsin
Susannah Pollvogt , Principal Consultant for Curriculum, Law School Admission Council, Pennsylvania
Suzanne J. Schmitz , President, Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar, Carbondale

Law School Leadership: What Do Students Need from Their Law Schools and Bar Associations?*
Moderator: Jason R. Blumenthal, Donahue & Rose, P.C., Rosemont
Moderator: Joseph A. Souligne, Webber & Thies, P.C., Urbana

Roundtable Discussion: What the NextGen Bar Exam Means for the Future of Legal Education*
Moderator: Daniel R. Thies , Webber & Thies, P.C., Urbana
Prof. Marsha Griggs , St. Louis University School of Law, Missouri
Megan Kreminski , Director of Academic Success, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Chicago
Susannah Pollvogt , Principal Consultant for Curriculum, Law School Admission Council, Pennsylvania
Prof. Kate Waldinger, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago

Next Gen’s Emphasis on Foundational Lawyering Skills*
Moderator: H. Case Ellis, Resolute Systems, Chicago
Michael Bergmann , Executive Director, Public Interest Law Initiative, Chicago
Melissa A. Smart , Director of Education, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago



Pricing Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $150 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $310
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

LIVE WEB - Getting the Most Out of Mediation

December 18, 2025
Presented by the ISBA Tort Law Section
Co-presented by the ISBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section

Live Webcast
Thursday, December 18, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.

1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit

Although mediation offers the path of least resistance to resolving differences between parties, it still requires thorough preparation from both you and your client. Don’t miss this in-depth look at how to help your client get the most out of mediation, including what to expect at the meeting, the best practices for preparing for the mediation (from both the plaintiff and defense perspectives), how to prepare a concise and compelling mediation package, and how to handle yourself throughout the mediation process.

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Judith Conway, Cooney & Conway, Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Josh Rohrscheib, Onward Injury Law, Bloomington

Program Speakers:
Michael R. Hartigan, Hartigan & O’Connor, LLC, Chicago
Hon. Clare McWilliams (ret.), Resolute Systems, Chicago
Jeffrey A. Schulkin, Ankin Law, LLC, Chicago


For best practices, before attending the program using ISBA's Zoom platform, please visit our Technical Support page.

Program Information

  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member - $35
      • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
    • Non-Member - $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Student Members - Free
    • Special pricing is available for Legal Service Attorneys.
  • If you cannot attend the live web event, a full refund is available, if you cancel your registration up to the start of the live web event on the program page in your “My CLE Account”. 
  • Please Note: MCLE credit is available to registrants only on the day of this live event – and you must attend the entire program to earn MCLE credit. All registrants will receive access to a recording of the event a few days after the program, but credit is NOT available for the recording.