Real Estate Law

Chicago Title Land Trust Co. v. Watkin

Chicago Title Land Trust Co. v. Watkin
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Mortgage Lien
Citation
Case Number: 
2025 IL App (1st) 241354
Decision Date: 
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
District: 
1st Dist.
Division/County: 
3d Div./Cook Co.
Holding: 
Affirmed.
Justice: 
REYES

Plaintiff, a trustee to a land trust, filed a complaint to quiet title, arguing that a mortgage lien on the land trust was extinguished by operation of law after the expiration of the limitations period for both the debt and the mortgage and that this constituted a cloud on title. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment and the circuit court granted defendant’s motion, finding that the mortgage remained a valid lien on the property even when the debt was unenforceable and plaintiff appealed. The appellate court affirmed, finding that the expiration of the statute of limitations for enforcement of the note and mortgage did not extinguish the lien on plaintiff’s property. (MARTIN and D.B. WALKER, concurring)

Harding v. Shi

Harding v. Shi
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Landlord Tenant Law
Citation
Case Number: 
2025 IL App (1st) 240317
Decision Date: 
Monday, August 4, 2025
District: 
1st Dist.
Division/County: 
1st Div./Cook Co.
Holding: 
Affirmed.
Justice: 
PUCINSKI

Plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance pertaining to security deposits. The circuit court dismissed the action after defendants provided proof that plaintiff’s former roommate paid the entirety of the security deposit and plaintiff appealed. The appellate court affirmed, finding that plaintiff had no basis to assert a claim against the landlord where she did not pay any portion of the security deposit. (COBBS and LAVIN, concurring)

Foolproof Generative Artificial Intelligence for Illinois Lawyers: Generating a Smarter, More Efficient Practice

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


1.50 hours MCLE credit, including 1.50 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention


Original Program Date: June 25, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: August 14, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


As generative artificial intelligence reshapes the legal landscape, attorneys must understand its benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations to stay competitive and compliant. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from our speaker, Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, as he demystifies the role of AI in modern legal practice and offers strategic insights on its integration into research, drafting and client communications. Attorneys with intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will learn:
  • How artificial intelligence enhances efficiency by streamlining legal research, automating document drafting, and supporting data-driven decision-making;
  • How to address fabricated citations and misleading outputs;
  • Why human oversight and rigorous verification is so important (especially in light of the cases where attorneys were sanctioned for AI-related errors);
  • The latest ethical guidelines (including the ABA’s Formal Opinion 512 and the Illinois Supreme Court’s AI policy) that outlines the best practices for confidentiality, transparency, and responsible artificial intelligence use;
  • How to ensure accuracy and compliance when using artificial intelligence tools; and
  • Much more!
For those who wish to receive the presenter’s resources after the presentation, such as in-depth case studies with guidance on how to adopt Generative AI in a law firm and his book on Generative AI strategies, please visit: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/event
About the Speaker: Dr. Gleb Tspiursky was named “Office Whisperer” by The New York Times for helping leaders overcome frustrations with Generative AI. He serves as the CEO of the future-of-work consultancy, Disaster Avoidance Experts. Dr. Gleb wrote seven bestselling books, including ChatGPT for Leaders and Content Creators: Unlocking the Potential of Generative AI . His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles and 550 interview, including USA Today, CBS News, Fox News, Time, Business Insider, Fortune, and The New York Times. His writing was translated into Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Korean, French, Vietnamese, German, and more. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, and speaking for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox. It also comes from over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist, with 8 years as a lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill, and 7 years as a professor at Ohio State.


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 $52.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $105
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Problem Properties and Effective Solutions

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 Local Government Law Section
Co-presented by ISBA’s Standing Committee on Government Lawyers


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­August 25, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Get the information you need to advise your clients on municipal solutions to abandoned, dilapidated, horded, or nuisance properties. Government lawyers, real estate attorneys, general practitioners, and administrative law counsel with basic practice experience who attend this online program will learn the holistic and legal approaches to managing problem properties, review the state statutes and local municipal codes that may impact your case, and explore the injunctive relief options available to your client.

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

Program Moderator:
Deborah Lang, Assistant Corporation Counsel, City of Aurora, Aurora

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

Program Speaker:
Kelley A. Gandurski, Elrod Friedman LLP, 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

Understanding the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act

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 Local Government Law Section
Co-presented by ISBA’s Standing Committee on Government Lawyers and ISBA Real Estate Law Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­August 25, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) is a federal law that was designed to protect religious institutions against discriminatory regulations and ensure that these groups are treated the same as non-religious entities. Join us for a comprehensive overview of RLUIPA, including how this Act helps religious institutions purchase or build without undue burdens from state or local municipalities, as well as giving prisoners and inmates the right to worship and practice their faith while incarcerated.

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

Program Moderator:
Deborah Lang, Assistant Corporation Counsel, City of Aurora, Aurora

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

Program Speaker:
Azam Nizamuddin, Abear Law Offices, Wheaton



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

Increasing Lawyer Health & Wellness: Programs, Remedies, and Strategies for Success in the Law

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, Illinois Bar Foundation, Lawyers’ Assistance Program, and the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission


1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit


Original Program Date: June 6, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­August 14, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Join us for a comprehensive look at how to increase the health and wellness of you and your colleagues with this informative presentation. Attorneys with all levels of practice experience who attend this onside program will better understand:
  • The interactive and complementary nature of programs offered by the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF), the Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP) and the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) to assist with mental health/substance abuse issues and wellness for Illinois attorneys;
  • The process for requesting services through LAP and IBF’s Lawyers Care Program; and
  • How a complaint that’s filed with the ARDC may lead to a referral for assistance from LAP and/or IBF.

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Stacey Meehan, Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, Illinois Bar Foundation, Chicago

Roles of ARDC, LAP, and IBF in Lawyer Wellness
This segment explains the roles each entity plays in developing and improving lawyer wellness, the specific programs that each organization offers, and how to reach out or be referred for their assistance.
Christine P. Anderson, Intake Group Manager and Director of Probation and Lawyer Deferral Services, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois, Chicago
Stacey Meehan, Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, Illinois Bar Foundation, Chicago
Jessie Reeves, Director of Events & Administration, Illinois Bar Foundation, Chicago
Dr. Diana Uchiyama, J.D., Psy.D., CAADC, Executive Director, Lawyers’ Assistance Program, Chicago

Interacting and Assisting
Learn how the ARDC, LAP, and IBF interact with one another while assisting and caring for a lawyer who comes to them or is referred due to a complaint. The need for releases to be signed by all participating parties for the purposes of sharing information is also discussed.
Christine P. Anderson, Intake Group Manager and Director of Probation and Lawyer Deferral Services, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois, Chicago
Stacey Meehan, Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, Illinois Bar Foundation, Chicago
Jessie Reeves, Director of Events & Administration, Illinois Bar Foundation, Chicago
Dr. Diana Uchiyama, J.D., Psy.D., CAADC, Executive Director, Lawyers’ Assistance Program, 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

The Rainmaker's 17 Secrets to Marketing & Advertising

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 Standing Committee on Law Office Management and Economics


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: June 6, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­August 21, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Are you an associate attorney looking to branch out and build your own book of business? Are you a solo practitioner needing to generate a larger client base? Do you dream of creating a successful practice or want to become a highly regarded rainmaker within your law firm? Then don’t miss this opportunity to hear from our speaker, Robert Schaller, as he explains why referrals are so important, how to successfully promote yourself through networking, the advantages of direct mail marketing, how you can personalize your email marketing messages, and why social media is the marketing and advertising tool you never knew you needed.


Program Coordinators/Moderators:
Amber L. Mikula , Quinn, Meadowcroft & Mikula, LLC, Bolingbrook
Nicole R. Sartori , McAdams & Sartori, LLC, Yorkville

Program Speaker:
Robert Schaller , Schaller Law Firm, P.C., Oak Brook

About the Speaker: Robert Schaller has practiced law for more than 34 years and is a Registered Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He is authorized to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Tax Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the Illinois Supreme Court. Mr. Schaller is the president of Schaller Law Firm, P.C. where he concentrates his practice on clients needing bankruptcy and IRS back-tax relief. Additionally, he has written over 10 books on bankruptcy law and IRS tax law, as well as The Rainmaker’s 17 Secrets to Legal Marketing & Advertising.
    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

23rd Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference - Part 1

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 Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, The Chicago Bar Association Environmental Law Committee, and The Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Environmental Committee


3.50 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: May 22, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: July 30, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this program that offers updates on the latest state and federal initiatives, as well as a discussion on the historical ties of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation to Illinois and their efforts to reacquire and control lands within the Reservation boundaries. A look at the criteria used to identify a wetland and the current status of the wetland regulations is included.


Program Coordinators:
Jane E. McBride, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Michael P. Murphy, HeplerBroom LLC, Springfield


Annual Update on Agency Activities and Priorities: Illinois and Region V
The 23rd Annual Environmental Law Conference kicks off with a look at the latest initiatives at the state and federal levels as presented by distinguished representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
Moderator: James L. Morgan, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Andrew Armstrong, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield
Matthew J. Dunn, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Springfield
Robert Kaplan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region V, Chicago
Renee Snow, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield
Jennifer Van Wie, Illinois Pollution Control Board, Chicago

Coming Home: Prairie Band Potawatomi Returns to Illinois
Don’t miss this panel presentation as our speakers discuss the return of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation to its homeland in what is now called Illinois. Topics include: the Nation’s historical ties to the area, its efforts to reacquire ownership and control of lands within the Reservation boundaries, recent federal and state legislative efforts, and issues related to Shabbona Lake State Park.
Moderator: Jane E. McBride, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Russell Brien, Brien Law LLC, Kansas
Darren Root, Tribal Attorney, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Choctaw Nation, Kansas
Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, Chairman, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Kansas

WOTUS: When a Wetland is Not a Wetland …. Or Is It? And What If It Is?
This session examines the criteria used to identify a wetland, and the status of wetland regulation following the tumultuous 2024 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) activity.
Moderator: William Anaya, UBGreensfelder LLP, Chicago
Clayton Heffter, DuPage County Stormwater Management, Wheaton
Vincent J. Mosca, Hey and Associates, Inc., Chicago



*Originally presented as part of the 23rd Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law 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 $122.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $245
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $50
    • Law Students – Free

Rural Land in Demand

July
2025
Article
, Page 14
Companies investing in artificial intelligence are looking for land in rural areas to build huge, power-hungry data centers.