Don’t miss this four-part series that explores the housing access injustices suffered by individuals and families facing economic challenges across the spectrum and how their communities are being devastated. Part 2 in this series, which takes place as a live webcast on February 22, 2017, examines a number of housing issues, including: housing rights for victims of domestic and sexual violence; “Ban the Box” laws and background checks designed to screen out undesirable tenants; how the abuse of due process rights by landlords can lead to rejection of eligible applicants and eviction of tenants; when landlords can legally exercise their rights to evict tenants; what remedies wrongfully-evicted tenants can pursue; current efforts to educate the public about the legal remedy of expungement; and how the displacement of families from housing affects the quality of life for those families. The series is designed for practitioners in local government, criminal justice, human rights law, education law, family law, real estate, and/or consumer protection law at all levels of practice experience. The seminar is presented by the ISBA Standing Committee on Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, and co-sponsored by the ISBA Standing Committee on Disability Law, ISBA Standing Committee on Women and the Law, and the ISBA Diversity Leadership Council. It qualifies for 2.0 hours MCLE credit.  Click here for more information and to register.

By John E. Brennock It is an unfortunate fact that some people are unable to obtain legal representation because of limited financial resources or the inability to qualify for or obtain pro bono representation. Those people likely would benefit from at least some attorney involvement in their matter, but often are forced to proceed pro se, and without legal knowledge and training, struggling to successfully handle their legal problem.

Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Carbondale attorney and ISBA Board of Governors member Carey C. Gill as an at large Circuit Judge in the First Judicial Circuit. Ms. Gill was appointed to fill the vacancy created when Judge James R. Moore was elected to the Fifth District Appellate Court in the November 2016 general election. The appointment of Ms. Gill takes effect on February 17, 2017, and will conclude on December 3, 2018, when the vacancy will be filled by the winner of the November 2018 general election. "I am thankful to Chief Justice Karmeier and the Supreme Court for appointing me to the Circuit Court,” Ms. Gill said. “I am honored to have this opportunity and recognize the great responsibility to both the profession and the community associated with serving on the bench.” Chief Justice Karmeier recommended the appointment to the full Court following a review of applicants by a six-person screening committee, which included the Hon. Stephen Spomer, retired Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District; Tambra Kay Cain, Esq., Johnson County State’s Attorney; the Hon. Terry Foster, retired judge and attorney at Kruger, Henry & Hunter in Metropolis; attorney Kara Lynn Jones of Feirich, Mager, Green & Ryan, Carbondale; attorney Michael Oshel of the Harrisburg law firm Oshel Law, P.C.; and attorney William F. Sherwood of Southern Illinois Healthcare.

Update your knowledge on a number of advanced workers’ compensation issues with this full-day seminar on February 20, 2017 in either Chicago and Fairview Heights. Labor and employment attorneys and workers’ compensation practitioners attending this seminar will better understand: how orthopedic injuries are diagnosed and treated in workers’ compensation claims; the 2016 Appellate Court decisions that have impacted workers’ compensation law; how to avoid ethical dilemmas in your practice; how to present effective arguments before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission; American Medical Association evaluations and how they’re used in court; and claims of retaliatory discharge. The program is presented by the ISBA Workers Compensation Law Section and qualifies for 5.50 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval). Click here for more information and to register.