December 2009 Government Lawyers Newsletter

By Lisle A. Stalter

It is hard to believe it is already fall and that a new issue of the newsletter is in the works. It has been a busy couple of months for the Committee on Government Lawyers. The Rules of Professional Conduct Program is set for December 10th. If you have not already registered, now is the time. Take advantage of the special $30 pricing and earn two hours of Professionalism credit.

By Raymond A. Fylstra

On August 17, 2009, Governor Pat Quinn signed one of the most sweeping revisions of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1) (the “Act”) since it was adopted in 1983.

By Mary L. Milano

There was an incredible sense of giddiness in our office a week or two ago. In at least some quarters, one could say it was reminiscent of what most of us recall at the end of the bar exam or getting that first job offer.

By Rosalyn B. Kaplan

In re Gable, Commission No. 08 CH 67, S. Ct. No. M.R. 23234 (September 22, 2009). Jarrett Ward Gable was an Assistant Public Defender in Cook County during the misconduct in question. On May 28, 2006, he was arrested at a music festival in Peoria and was charged with two counts of possession of psilocybin, a controlled substance that acts as a hallucinogen.

By Kevin Lovellette

From time to time, the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions makes changes to the Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions for both civil and criminal cases, or the Committee may amend or update the Comments section on certain instructions.

By Colleen Morgan

On August 25, 2009, Governor Quinn signed the Public Interest Attorney Assistance Act which provides loan repayment assistance to “public interest attorneys.” See Public Act 96-615, effective January 1, 2010. The Act allows for loan assistance of a maximum of $6,000 per year, up to a career maximum of $30,000 in qualified loan forgiveness.

By Eileen M. Geary

Last fall, Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 , which became effective on January 1, 2009. See Pub. L. No. 110-325, 122 Stat. 3554. In the Act’s Findings and Purposes, Congress stated its intention in enacting the ADA of 1990 that the statute “’provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities’ and provide broad coverage.”