Cook County’s Department of Administrative Hearings: The new kid on the blockBy J.A. SebastianState and Local Taxation, January 2009In today’s litigious society, more and more matters are being initially handled outside of the courts and in administrative proceedings—especially matters that involve government enforcement, compliance and collection.
Less is more: Lessons from BLINKBy J.A. SebastianAdministrative Law, January 2009BLINK: THE POWER OF THINKING WITHOUT THINKINGis about thinking in new ways about how we think. How valid is a first impression? What factors are considered? How often (who has time?) do we even think about how we think.
Chair’s Column: The Section really does a lot for its members!By J.A. SebastianGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, December 2008Thanks to our newsletter co-editors, John Phipps of Champaign and Judge Edna Turkington-Viktora of Chicago, who devote so much time and effort to assure that the General Practice newsletter is a quality resource for you.
Practice Tip – Improving Skills: Your Witness (2008)By J.A. SebastianBench and Bar, December 2008On December 5, 2008, the Bench & Bar Section Council will present a Trial Practice and Advocacy – Getting it Right, at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office located at 20 South Clark, 9th Floor. Members of the Section are entitled to a $10 discount for each CLE sponsored by the Section – a significant benefit of section membership.
Chair’s columnBy J.A. SebastianGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, September 2008Once again I repeat the scope/mission statement of the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section Council: “To promote professional excellence among those engaged in the general practice of law through education relating to substantive legal practice areas and by providing opportunities for the exchange of information particularly pertinent to the needs of solo and small firm practitioners.
An MCLE program on “Colleagues in Crisis”By J.A. SebastianBench and Bar, December 2007On Friday, December 7, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., at part of the ISBA Midyear Meeting at the Sheraton in Chicago, the ISBA Bench & Bar Section and Illinois Judges Association, together with the Commission on Professionalism of the Illinois Supreme Court, will present “Colleagues in Crisis.
An example of amendments that create new problems in Administrative LawBy J.A. SebastianBench and Bar, November 2007The following is a brief summary of attempts by the General Assembly to address a civil practice-pleading problem that, by piecemeal amendments, has actually generated more problems than the original legislation was enacted to address.
Legislative update: Ten new Public Acts that affect general practiceBy J.A. SebastianGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, November 2007The following is a summary of recent legislative action of interest to members of the ISBA General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Section.
Recent legislationBy J.A. Sebastian & Paul E. FreehlingAdministrative Law, September 2007On August 21, 2007, Public Act 95-321 (SB29) became law.
Can a corporation file a complaint for administrative review? Siakpere says no.By J.A. SebastianAdministrative Law, August 2007In a recent appellate court decision, Siakpere v. City of Chicago, the Illinois appellate court reminds practitioners that a complaint filed by a non-lawyer on behalf of a corporation is null and void from the beginning.
Amendments to administrative practice: Is a central core panel a good idea?By J.A. SebastianAdministrative Law, June 2007A central core panel is the heart of Illinois Senate Bill 58, introduced on January 31, 2007, by Senator Harmon, which would amend the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and create the Office of Administrative Hearings under the jurisdiction of the Governor, at 5 ILCS 100/12-5.
Guidance on the Illinois Administrative Review LawBy J.A. SebastianAdministrative Law, March 2007For those members who do not regularly review the ISBA Web site electronically (www.isba.org), or link to the Administrative Law Section Council, here’s a quick screen-saver from that Section’s link that provides the mission of the ISBA Administrative Law Section.
McGaw Medical Center’s fall into the ARL’s dangerous minefieldBy J.A. SebastianAdministrative Law, January 2007When relief is sought from an adverse decision involving a claim for unemployment compensation benefits, who are the necessary-party defendants in a complaint seeking administrative review of that decision?
Thoughts about conflicts of interestBy J.A. SebastianAdministrative Law, November 2006A good friend in another state practices in a highly regulated industry, represents people before the state agency, and has written and lectured extensively in that field.
New court security restrictions in 9th CircuitBy J.A. SebastianBench and Bar, September 2006Jodi Pospeschil, reporter for Peoria Journal Star (pjstar.com), recently reported that, beginning September 1, 2006, the chief judge of the 9th Judicial Circuit has banned from the six western Illinois courthouses all cellular telephones, cameras, and video and audio recording devices.
Arête and Atticus FinchBy J.A. SebastianYoung Lawyers Division, August 2006Mike Papantonio, who organized the mass tort practice at Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Eschner & Proctor in Pensacola, Florida, will speak during the kickoff plenary session of the second annual ISBA SOLO AND SMALL FIRM CONFERENCE to be held at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles on Thursday, September 14, 2006.
Ahmad v. Board of Education of the City of Chicago, — Ill. App. 3d ___. 847 N.E.2d 810 (1st Dist. 2006)By J.A. SebastianLabor and Employment Law, July 2006The Board of Education of the City of Chicago (“Board”) terminated Rita Ahmad (“Ahmad”), a tenured public school teacher, who then filed a complaint for administrative review pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Review Law, 735 ILCS 5/3-101 through 5-3-113, as provided in the Illinois School Code at 105 ILCS 5/24-16.
Legislation update of interest to the general practitionerBy J.A. SebastianGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, July 2006The following is a summary of recent legislative action of interest to ISBA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm section members.
Rodriguez reiterates the 35-day rule of the administrative review lawBy J.A. SebastianAdministrative Law, February 2006The time has come to speak of rules, and slips, and who's been lax. In Rodriguez v. Sheriff's Merit Commission of Kane County, No. 100165, the court considered whether the circuit court should have granted a section 2-0619 motion to dismiss a complaint filed pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Review Law (735 ILCS 5/3-101 though 3-113 (West 2002)) (“ARL”) on the basis of subject matter jurisdiction.
Lawyers lending a helping hand—Katrina reliefBy Ann Breen-Greco, J.A. Sebastian, & Vickie GillioAdministrative Law, November 2005Lawyers throughout the nation individually and through professional organizations have risen to the challenge of Hurricane Katrina and are giving a helping hand to address the many-faceted ramifications of the Katrina Disaster.
Illinois Judicial Circuit Rules DirectoryBy J.A. SebastianBench and Bar, September 2005Technology has changed reliance on yellow legal pads as cell phones and personal digital assistant ("PDAs") assume a greater use among lawyers for noting dockets and phone numbers.
Walters reiterates that not all administrative action is reviewableBy J.A. SebastianAdministrative Law, August 2005Although the Illinois Constitution grants an appeal as a matter of right from all final judgments of the circuit court (Ill. Const. 1970, art. VI, @ 6), there is no constitutional right to appeal administrative decisions.
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