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  • January 2, 2020 | CLE
    CLE: Strike! The Law of Work Stoppages in the Union and Non-Union Setting
    Join us from noon until 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, for a comprehensive look at the basic fundamental rights of both union and non-union employees, as well as the laws surrounding labor strikes. Employment law practitioners, corporate law attorneys, human rights lawyers, and small business counsel with basic practice experience who attend this online seminar will better understand: the rights of unions in non-union facilities and public areas, including shopping malls; the rights of unionized and non-unionized workers to strike and take protected actions; the laws impacting work stoppages; and the rights of workers and employees leading up to and during a strike.
  • December 20, 2019 | ISBA News
    ISBA 2020 Leadership Academy Class Members Announced
    The ISBA has announced the class members of its 2020 Leadership Academy. This landmark program is designed to train the next generation of professionals to become effective leaders in the Illinois legal community. ISBA members with three to 10 years of legal practice experience are eligible to participate. After completing the academy, each member will be appointed to a section council or committee of their choice.
  • December 20, 2019 | Practice News
    Quick Takes on Illinois Supreme Court Opinions Issued Thursday, December 19, 2019
    The Illinois Supreme Court handed down five opinions on Thursday, December 19. The ISBA's panel of leading civil attorneys reviewed the opinions and provided summaries. In Ammons v. Canadian National Railway Co., the court interpreted the meaning of sections 55 and 60 of the Federal Employers’ Liability Act. In Iwan Ries & Co. v. the City of Chicago, the court addressed the city of Chicago’s power to tax tobacco products other than cigarettes. In Jones v. Pneumo Abex, LLC, an asbestos-related case involving claims of civil conspiracy, the Supreme Court remanded to the appellate court for reconsideration of a summary judgment reversal. In Andrews v. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, the court provided further clarity on discretionary immunity available under sections 2-109 and 2-201 of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. In Rushton v. the Department of Corrections, the court interpreted the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in deciding whether a journalist could obtain a settlement agreement between Wexford Health Sources, Inc., an entity that contracts with the Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC) to provide medical care to inmates, and the estate of an inmate who died from cancer.
  • December 19, 2019 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Approves New Remote Access Policy
    The Illinois Supreme Court today announced the approval of a new Remote Access Policy (RAP) to take effect on Jan. 1, 2020. The RAP, which includes an implementation plan for expanding remote access to court information and documents, will initially be released to a subset of Illinois licensed attorneys selected by the Illinois State Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Technology for a trial period using the statewide re:SearchIL portal for court records. The RAP, which was developed by the e-Business Policy Advisory Board in conjunction with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, supersedes the previous Electronic Access Policy for Circuit Court Records of the Illinois Courts. The Administrative Director of the Illinois Courts has authority to amend the RAP as is necessary and appropriate.
  • December 18, 2019 | Events | Member Services | ISBA News
    Join ISBA’s Group Admissions Ceremony to Practice Before the U.S. Supreme Court
    Every few years, the Illinois State Bar Association organizes an admission ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court. This year's ceremony will take place June 14-15, 2020, in Washington, D.C. Only 50 spots will be available. A special group hotel room rate will be available at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel for admittees, their families, and guests. To be eligible, you must be an active lawyer member of the ISBA, admitted to practice more than 3 years, and not have any adverse disciplinary action pronounced or in effect during that 3-year period.
  • December 18, 2019 | Practice News
    Antonio Romanucci Appointed Chairperson of Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee
    Antonio M. Romanucci has been appointed chairperson of the Rules Committee for the State of Illinois Supreme Court. His term begins Jan. 1, 2020 and ends Dec. 31, 2020.  In this role, he will lead the committee’s work to study and recommend new rules and modify existing rules for the State of Illinois Supreme Court. 
  • December 18, 2019 | ISBA News
    ISBA Offices Closing for Holidays
    The ISBA Springfield and Chicago offices will be closed for the holidays from Tuesday, Dec. 24 to Wednesday, Jan. 1. During this time, members can expect the following: E-Clips will not be delivered for the duration of this period. Illinois Lawyer Now will not be delivered on Thursday, Dec. 26. All business and e-newsletter distribution will resume as usual on Jan. 2, 2020.
  • December 17, 2019 | ISBA News
    2020 Lincoln Award Legal Writing Contest Winners Announced
    Joe Schomberg, an associate at the Chicago office of Sidley Austin LLP, is winner of first place and $2,000 in the ISBA’s 2020 Lincoln Award Legal Writing Contest. His article, “Major Buzzkill: The Relationship (or Lack Thereof) Between State Legalized Cannabis and the Bankruptcy Code,” will appear in the February issue of the Illinois Bar Journal.
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    December 16, 2019 | Events
    YLD Holiday Party 2019
    The ISBA Young Lawyers Division hosted its annual holiday party on Friday, Dec. 13, at Monty’s Tap in Chicago.
  • December 16, 2019 | Practice News
    The Illinois Supreme Court’s About Face in In re N.G.<\em>
    In 2016, the Illinois Supreme Court held that unconstitutionally obtained gun convictions could be used for charging and enhancement purposes unless the defendant vacated the conviction. Two years later, the court admitted it got it wrong. A rule articulated in a criminal case rippled out into a termination-of-parental rights proceeding and culminated in a call to arms. In his December 2019 Illinois Bar Journal article, “The Illinois Supreme Court’s About Face in In re N.G.,” Benjamin Lawson shows how In re N.G. challenges us as practitioners to recognize when a client’s conviction is unconstitutionally obtained and to do something about it.