Local Government Law

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.

---

3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 8, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 9, 2025 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this two part series from ISBA’s 5^th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar, as we take an in-depth look at how inventions and advancements in science and technology create opportunities for lawyers to represent innovators, as well as those clients who are disrupted by the innovation (including the legal profession). The program takes place at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum located on the historic island that supported part of the railroad bridge subject to Lincoln’s famous case of Hurd et al v. Rock Island Bridge Company (often called the Effie Afton trial.) Ft. Armstrong has been on Rock Island since 1816. Army Dr. Emerson was stationed at Ft. Armstrong from 1834 to 1836 and took Dred Scott with him as a slave. Slavery was prohibited in Illinois and that later served as Scott’s claim for freedom in the Dred Scott case. The first rail bridge over the Mississippi used the Island to connect Illinois to Iowa and was finished in 1856 (and struck by the steamboat Effie Afton the same year!). President Lincoln signed the legislation creating the Arsenal in 1862, which became a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Join us for this informative, historical look at how Lincoln addressed the science and technology issues of his time, and how lawyers of every generation face similar challenges. Topics include:

• The ethical issues facing lawyers regarding science and technology innovations;
• How AI and emerging technology is impacting current lawyers and law practice; and
• Much more.

Program Coordinators:
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Contemporary Ethical Issues
Explore the ethical issues facing lawyers today – from the need to stay current with technology to problems with email, websites, cybersecurity, and more – with this informative session.
Peter L. Rotskoff, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Springfield

How Artificial Intelligence Will Impact Lawyers and the Legal Profession
Get the information you need about how the evolving area of AI may impact your law practice and the legal system.
Jonathan T. Nessler, Nessler & Associates Ltd., Springfield

Block Chain, AI, Disruptive Innovations – What is a Lawyer To Do?
This panel presentation discusses what we can learn from Lincoln’s experiences with science and technology, and how lawyers and the legal profession will continue to be impacted.
Moderator: J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Jonathan T. Nessler, Nessler & Associates Ltd., Springfield
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville



*Originally presented as part of the ISBA’s 5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy Conference. Find more sessions in this series in the ISBA On-Demand CLE catalog.



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 $105 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
• Non-Member Price $210
• New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
• Law Students - Free

2.75 hours MCLE credit, including 2.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 8, 2023
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­October 21, 2025 - October 20, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this two part series from ISBA’s 5^th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar, as we take an in-depth look at how inventions and advancements in science and technology create opportunities for lawyers to represent innovators, as well as those clients who are disrupted by the innovation (including the legal profession). The program takes place at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum located on the historic island that supported part of the railroad bridge subject to Lincoln’s famous case of Hurd et al v. Rock Island Bridge Company (often called the Effie Afton trial.) Ft. Armstrong has been on Rock Island since 1816. Army Dr. Emerson was stationed at Ft. Armstrong from 1834 to 1836 and took Dred Scott with him as a slave. Slavery was prohibited in Illinois and that later served as Scott’s claim for freedom in the Dred Scott case. The first rail bridge over the Mississippi used the Island to connect Illinois to Iowa and was finished in 1856 (and struck by the steamboat Effie Afton the same year!). President Lincoln signed the legislation creating the Arsenal in 1862, which became a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Join us for this informative, historical look at how Lincoln addressed the science and technology issues of his time, and how lawyers of every generation face similar challenges. Topics include:

• How Lincoln’s curiosity and self-study of other disciplines (including science and technology) enhanced his ability to represent clients from a broad range of industries;
• Lincoln’s representation in the famous Effie Afton trial where the interests of steamboats clashed with the development of railroad expansion;
• Lincoln’s role as legislator, lawyer, President, and inventor in other areas of science and technology innovations;
• Much more.

Program Coordinators:
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Lincoln’s Interest and Commitment to Science and Technology
The program’s opening segment examines Lincoln’s evolving interest in and involvement with science and technology issues – and how it impacted his role as lawyer, legislator, and President.
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Lincoln and the Effie Afton Case
Don’t miss this in-depth look at how the westward expansion of railroads required a bridge over the Mississippi and how that collided, figuratively and literally, with the steamboat industry.
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington

Lincoln’s Cases involving Railroads and Other Patents and Inventions
This segment explores some of the many cases Lincoln participated in as new inventions, methods of transportation, commerce, and industry came to Illinois.
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville



*Originally presented as part of the ISBA’s 5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy Conference. Find more sessions in this series in the ISBA On-Demand CLE catalog.



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 $96.25 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
• Non-Member Price $192.50
• New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
• Law Students - Free

2.75 hours MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following categories:

• 0.75 hours Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment credit
• 1.0 hours Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit
  

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
John A. Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield

Abraham Lincoln’s Medical Malpractice Cases*
(0.75 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment credit)
This presentation explores one of Lincoln’s more famous cases – the chicken bone case – and how today’s medical malpractice field differs from Lincoln’s time period.
John A. Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield

Legal Ethics and Medicine*
(1.0 hour Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit)
This session examines the juxtaposition of medical issues in the legal community and legal ethics, and what you need to know when representing your clients.
Melissa A. Smart, Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Springfield

David Davis and Abraham Lincoln
The program closes with a look at the personal and professional relationship between David Davis – who was an Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit Judge, Lincoln’s campaign manager, and an U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice – and Abraham Lincoln.
Hon. Raymond J. McKoski (ret.), University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, 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 $96 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
• Non-Member Price $193
• New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
• Law Students – Free

1.75 hours MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following categories:

• 0.75 hours Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment credit
• 1.0 hours Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit
  

Original Program Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 4, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss Part 1 of ISBA’s 7^th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we discuss the medically-based cases Lincoln handled involving expert witnesses, personal injury, and insanity, as well as his own personal struggles with depression and how it impacted his career.


Program Coordinator/Moderator:
John A. Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield

Abraham Lincoln’s Medical-Related Cases*
(0.75 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment credit)
This segment opens with a brief introduction to the Court House Square’s Lincoln sites, followed by an in-depth look at the cases Lincoln handled that dealt with the medical profession, including expert witnesses, personal injury, and insanity.
Guy Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington

Abraham Lincoln’s Melancholy*
(1.0 hour Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit)
This segment focuses on Lincoln’s own personal struggles with depression and how it impacted his legal and political careers.
Samuel Wheeler, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield



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 $62 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
• Non-Member Price $124
• New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
• Law Students – Free

1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 12, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Local municipal and township council have the responsibility to convene an electoral board whenever objections arise for the nomination of municipal and township offices. For municipalities, these offices include president, mayor, clerk, trustee, alderperson, and municipal library board, whereas township offices include assessor, clerk, trustee, supervisor, and highway commissioner. Don’t miss this program that discusses all things related to convening an electoral board – from determining the legal composition of the board and setting the schedule, to conducting the hearing and defending the board’s decision. Civil practice lawyers, local government counsel, and government lawyers with intermediate practice experience who attend this online seminar will learn:

• How to prepare the necessary documents, including Notice of Transmittal and Receipt of Petitions and Objections, Notice of Hearing to Parties, Open Meetings Act Public Notice, and Proof of Service and Service Waivers;
• How to draft the proposed electoral board rules;
• The power and duties of electoral boards;
• Responsibilities of the acting electoral board counsel or additional co-counsel;
• Disqualification of statutory members and the need for appointment of Public Members;
• How to comply with the strict Election Code (and Municipal and Township Code) requirements;
• How to expedite from initial stages through judicial/appellate review; and
• Much more.

Program Coordinator/Chat Moderator:
Patrick J. Collins, Assistant Corporation Counsel, City of Aurora, Aurora

Program Speaker:
Thomas A. Jaconetty, Law Offices of Thomas A. Jaconetty, Chicago

1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 9, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss Part 1 of this lunchtime series that offers you an in-depth overview of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), while also giving you the tips you need for staying in compliance. 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 presumption concerning openness and why agencies are obligated to provide records to requesters;
• The burden of proof that must be met when asserting requested information is exempt from disclosure;
• The most commonly used FOIA exemptions;
• The required response time for FOIA requests;
• How to handle vague or burdensome requests; and
• Much more.

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

Program Moderator:
Patrick Collins, Assistant Corporation Counsel, City of Aurora, Aurora

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

Program Speakers:
Leilani A. Pino, General Counsel, Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Chicago
Sarah Walsh, Staff Attorney, FOIA Specialist, City of Aurora, Aurora

1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hourProfessional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Diversity & Inclusion credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 15, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


In 1920s Oklahoma, Native Americans were treated as second class citizens. In the book and movie, Killers of the Flower Moon, we learn the true story about how members of the Osage Tribe were cheated out of their wealth and murdered for their oil rights. Don’t miss this interactive presentation in which our speaker, Philip Bogdanoff, uses film clips from the movie to discuss the various laws that discriminated against the Osage Tribe and how William Hale schemed to murder members of the tribe and steal their wealth. Learn how attorneys today can help prevent bias and discrimination in the legal profession by examining what the attorneys in the 1920s did to fight the racial persecution of the Osage Tribe and aided in the conviction of Mr. Hale for murder.

---

About the Speaker: Philip Bogdanoff is a nationally recognized continuing legal education speaker. Previously, he served as an assistant prosecutor in Akron, Ohio for nearly thirty years. He worked closely with the police and often made charging decisions on long term investigations. Mr. Bogdanoff also argued cases before the Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court before retiring as a senior assistant prosecutor. He still works as a special prosecutor and in 2022 argued three criminal cases before the Ohio Supreme Court. He has done over fifty presentations for prosecutor groups including the National District Attorneys Association. Attendees describe his presentations as informative, engaging, entertaining and dynamic. More information about Mr. Bogdanoff is available on his website at http://www.philipbogdanoff.com/.