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Illinois Supreme Court

  • May 18, 2010 | Practice News
    Gamrath appointed as a Circuit Judge of Cook County
    [caption id="attachment_11507" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Celia G. Gamrath"][/caption] The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Celia G. Gamrath as a Circuit Judge of Cook County, Eighth Subcircuit, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Thomas R. Chiola. This appointment is effective June 10, 2010, and terminates on December 3, 2012, Ms. Gamrath is a former judicial law clerk for the Honorable Thomas R. Rakowski of the First District Appellate Court of Illinois. She is a partner of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP and concentrates in matrimonial law and appeals on behalf of individuals whose cases mainly involve the distribution of multi-million-dollar holdings and require sophisticated financial expertise. Ms. Gamrath has been recognized nationally as a top family law and appellate lawyer by Best Lawyers in America, Chicago Magazine’s Illinois Super Lawyers, the Leading Lawyers Network, and the Law Bulletin Publishing Company as one of “40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch.” She is the recipient of several awards, including the Young Lawyer of the Year Award from the Illinois State Bar Association, the Alta May Hulett Award from the Chicago Bar Association, and The John Marshall Law School Distinguished Service Award. Ms. Gamrath graduated cum laude from The John Marshall Law School (J.D.) in 1994 and from Indiana University (B.S. in Business) in 1991. Ms.
  • May 17, 2010 | Practice News
    Meyer appointed associate judge in 7th Judicial Circuit
    The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced Monday that Joshua A. Meyer received a majority of the votes cast by the circuit judges in the Seventh Judicial Circuit and is declared to be appointed to the office of associate judge. Mr. Meyer received his undergraduate degree in 1998 from Blackburn University, Carlinville, and his Juris Doctor in 2001 from St. Louis University. Mr. Meyer is currently affiliated with the Macoupin County Public Defender's Office, Carlinville.
  • May 12, 2010 | Practice News
    Appleton appointed to 4th District Appellate Court
    The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Circuit Court Judge Thomas R. Appleton to the Illinois Appellate Court in the Fourth Judicial District. He has served by assignment on the Appellate Court since December 2001. Justice Rita B. Garman recommended the appointment of Judge Appleton to the Appellate Court. The appointment is effective June 4, 2010 and expires December 6, 2010. Judge Appleton is running unopposed for the seat in the November election and he is virtually assured of winning a full 10-year term. Judge Appleton was elected a Circuit judge in the Seventh Judicial Circuit in 1992. Before his election to the judiciary, Judge Appleton engaged in the private practice of law in Sangamon County from 1981-1992. He was a law clerk for the Fourth District Appellate Court from 1976-1978 when he became research director for the Appellate Court. In 1979, Judge Appleton was appointed Clerk of the Fourth Judicial District Appellate Court, where he served until 1981. He received his juris doctor degree from lIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1976. "Since assigned to the Appellate Court in 2001, I have enjoyed my service with the Fourth District Appellate Court. I appreciate the confidence that the Illinois Supreme Court and Justice Garman has shown in appointing me to the existing vacancy on the court," said Judge Appleton. Judge Appleton is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Sangamon County Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association. The Fourth Judicial District is made up of 30 counties across central Illinois.
  • May 12, 2010 | Practice News
    Sullivan appointed circuit judge in 5th Judicial District
    The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the appointment of Edgar County State’s Attorney Matthew L. Sullivan as a circuit judge in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Justice Rita B. Garman recommended Mr. Sullivan’s appointment to the full Supreme Court to fill the upcoming vacancy created by the resignation of recalled retired Judge Richard E. Scott. Mr. Sullivan’s appointment is effective July 9, and will terminate December 6, 2010. In February, he won the Republican judicial primary for the seat which Judge Scott now holds, and will run unopposed in November for a full six-year term. “I am honored, humbled and grateful to the Supreme Court and to Justice Garman for the confidence they have placed in me by this appointment,” said Mr. Sullivan. “I look forward to assuming the duties of Circuit Court judge and continuing my public service to the people of Illinois.” Mr. Sullivan was first elected state’s attorney in 1996, and is currently serving his fourth term. In that capacity, he also serves as attorney for the Edgar county board and elected county officials. Before his election to county office, Mr. Sullivan worked in general practice as an associate at Fruin & Garst from 1994-1996. Mr. Sullivan received his juris doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1994. He graduated with honors from the University of Illinois in 1991 with a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration. He graduated from Shiloh High School and was class valedictorian. Mr.
  • May 3, 2010 | Events | Practice News
    Illinois Bar Admission ceremonies set for May 6
    Illinois Bar Admission ceremonies will be held in the five Judicial Districts on Thursday, May 6:
    • Judicial Dist. 1: 10:30 a.m., McCormick Place West, Chicago (500 new admittees)
    • Judicial Dist. 2: 10 a.m., Hemmens Memorial Bldg. Elgin Civic Center Plaza, Elgin (52 new admittees)
    • Judicial Dist. 3: 11 a.m., Ottawa Appellate Courthouse, Ottawa (23 new admittees)
    • Judicial Dist. 4: 10 a.m., Supreme Court Building, Springfield (14 new admittees)
    • Judicial Dist. 5: 2 p.m., Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville (142 new admittees)
    Are you an ISBA member and have a child being admitted to the bar? Please contact us at cbonjean@isba.org.
  • April 27, 2010 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court forms special judicial advisory committee for justice and mental health planning
    Chief Justice Thomas R. Fitzgerald and the Illinois Supreme Court announced Tuesday the creation of a Special Supreme Court Advisory Committee for Justice and Mental Health Planning to maximize the use of court and community resources in aiding the rehabilitation and treatment of accused offenders with mental health issues. The Committee is generally charged with studying, reviewing and collaborating "on issues and matters related to mental illness and the justice system" with the aim of making recommendations to the Supreme Court. Specifically, the Supreme Court has asked the Committee to formulate and prioritize recommendations in improving communication, data gathering and information sharing between the mental health and criminal justice systems. It is expected that members of the Committee will participate in the continuing statewide strategic planning process initiated by the Division of Mental Health of the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Court also asked the committee to identify and consider appropriate diversion models for persons with mental illness and to report on what works best in Mental Health courts in Illinois, including how to continue care for persons with mental illness as they transition from the criminal justice system to mental health services. Judges appointed to the Committee serve in the counties of Cook, Madison, Rock Island, St. Clair, Kankakee, Macon, Lake, McLean, Kane and Winnebago, but recommendations could affect criminal justice and mental health populations statewide.
  • April 15, 2010 | Practice News
    Quick takes on today's Illinois Supreme Court opinions

    CIVIL

    Carter v. SSC Odin Operating Company

    By Michael T. Reagan, Herbolsheimer Lannon Henson Duncan and Reagan PC In Carter v. SSC Odin Operating Company, the high court ruled that the sections of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act voiding a resident's waiver of the right to sue or to have a jury trial were ineffective to negate preemption by the Federal Arbitration Act. Though Carter was decided within the narrow confines of nursing-home litigation, its logic could affect a much broader range of preemption cases. For appellate lawyers, here's an interesting procedure point: the court said it was exercising jurisdiction pursuant to its supervisory authority. That was probably necessary because more than 21 days had expired after an initial denial of the petition for leave to appeal, during which time the Supreme Court of the United States had denied certiorari, and the Second District had issued a conflicting opinion. Case summary Supreme Court opinion 106511

    Slovinski v. Elliot

    By Jean M. Prendergast, Schuyler, Roche & Crisham, P.C Civil practitioners will be wise to consider carefully Slovinsky v. Elliot, in which the Court refined the standard for reviewing remittitur and punitive damage awards, especially where the trial judge makes no specific findings. In this defamation per se case, the trial court reduced a $2 million jury award for punitive damages to $1 million.
  • April 9, 2010 | ISBA News
    Reprints of historic Illinois Supreme Court painting available
    [caption id="attachment_9405" align="alignright" width="300" caption=""Justice with Precedence and Record""][/caption] The Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission has made reprints of "Justice with Precedence and Record" by Albert Krehbel, available for sale. The historic painting was used as the rendering for the century-old murals on the walls and ceilings of the Supreme Court courtroom. Four sizes are available ranging in price from $59-$249. Click here to read more about the painting. Click here to download the order form
  • April 6, 2010 | Practice News
    Job opening: Clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois
    The Supreme Court has posted the following opening for the position of Clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois: The Clerk of the Supreme Court is an officer appointed by the Court (Ill. Const. 1970, Art. VI, § 18 (a)), reports to the Court, and serves at the Court’s pleasure. This senior level position is the Court’s principal case processing and records manager who operates the Clerk’s main office in Springfield and a satellite office in Chicago through a staff of 14 deputies which the Clerk recruits, selects, trains, and supervises, and by planning, developing, and implementing policies and procedures necessary to execute the responsibilities of the office. As case manager, the Clerk oversees and evaluates the functioning of four distinct automated dockets, and all associated processes, to ensure compliance with Supreme Court Rules and effective tracking and scheduling of cases from initiation to issuance of mandates and final orders. Relatedly, the Clerk interprets and applies relevant rules and compiles, analyzes, and reports statistics on the Court’s case load. As records manager, the Clerk is responsible for the Court’s active and closed files and permanent records, dating to 1818. The Clerk maintains the roll of attorneys, which includes the licensing process; registers and renews professional service corporations and associations, and limited liability companies and partnerships engaged in the practice of law; files judicial financial disclosure statements required of state court judges.
  • March 23, 2010 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court to hold public hearings on evidence law proposals
    The Special Supreme Court Committee on Illinois Evidence will hold public hearings on proposed new rules codifying Illinois evidence law at the following locations:
    • Tuesday, May 18, 10 a.m.: Supreme Court Building, 160 N. LaSalle, Room C-500, Chicago
    • Thursday, May 20, 10 a.m.: Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, 3101 Old Jacksonville Road, Springfield
    The proposed new rules are available on the Supreme Court website. The Special Supreme Court Committee on Illinois Evidence invites public comments on the proposed rules. Written comments should be submitted by Tuesday, May 4, 2010, to: Special Supreme Court Committee on Illinois Evidence, c/o Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, 222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601