Essay: Law in a time of cholera*By Mary L. MilanoGovernment Lawyers, December 2009There 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.
Law school student loan forgiveness updateBy Colleen MorganGovernment Lawyers, December 2009On 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.
Public sector discipline: September 2009 Term of the Supreme CourtBy Rosalyn B. KaplanGovernment Lawyers, December 2009In 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.
Student loan repayment assistance for public service attorneys: An updateBy Michael VojtaYoung Lawyers Division, October 2009Recent legislation on both the State and Federal levels has been passed to assist young attorneys with debt repayment. Illinois attorneys may soon have two options to turn to for assistance in debt repayment, provided of course that they make a commitment to public service work.
2009 legislative summaryBy James W. ChipmanGovernment Lawyers, September 2009The following is a summary of some of the more controversial bills affecting government lawyers that were considered by the General Assembly in the 2009 spring session.
Attorney General issues opinionsBy Lynn PattonGovernment Lawyers, September 2009The following is a summary of official opinion Nos. 09-001 through 09-002 and informal opinions Nos. I-09-001 through I-09-011 that may be of interest to the government bar.
Attorney General issues opinionsBy Lynn PattonGovernment Lawyers, June 2009A summary of official opinion Nos. 08-001 through 08-004 and informal opinions I-08-023 through I-08-030 that may be of interest to the government bar.
Committee on Government Lawyers presents ethics extravaganza!Government Lawyers, June 2009The ISBA’s Standing Committee on Government Lawyers has a worthwhile and lofty goal ... a goal of making ethics seminars for government lawyers informative, fun, and interesting.
Judge Wayne Andersen shares practice tips with government attorneysBy Kevin LovelletteGovernment Lawyers, June 2009On December 2, 2008, the Office of the Attorney General was honored to have the Honorable Wayne Andersen of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois speak as part of the Office’s Distinguished Speakers Program.
Summary of recent decisionsBy Hon. Edward J. SchoenbaumGovernment Lawyers, June 2009Recent cases of interest to government lawyers.
In-SitesGovernment Lawyers, April 2009A variety of useful links, from tax changes to gardening to Illinois history to waterparks.
Summary of recent decisionsBy Hon. Edward J. SchoenbaumGovernment Lawyers, April 2009Recent cases of interest to government lawyers.
Public sector discipline: September 2008 term of the Illinois Supreme CourtBy Rosalyn B. KaplanGovernment Lawyers, December 2008In re Kelley, Commission No. 07 SH 5, S. Ct. No. M.R. 22452 (September 16, 2008). John Michael Kelley was an Assistant State’s Attorney in Sangamon County between 2001 and 2006.
Summary of recent decisionsBy Hon. Edward J. Schoenbaum, Jr.Government Lawyers, December 2008District court did not err in dismissing for failure to state cause of action, plaintiff’s complaint alleging that requirement that he obtain for his independent candidate petition for United States Congress signatures, representing five percent of individuals who voted in prior congressional election, violated his equal protection rights where defendant required less number of signatures in other congressional districts within state.
Relief is on the horizon for public service attorneys burdened by law school debtBy Colleen MorganHuman and Civil Rights, November 2008With the average law school graduate carrying a staggering amount of student loan debt, and with starting salaries in public interest areas of the law lagging well below those in the private sector, student loan debt relief has become an attractive way for prosecutors, public defenders, and legal aid offices to recruit new attorneys and retain experienced ones.
Attorney General issues opinionsBy Lynn PattonGovernment Lawyers, September 2008The following is a summary of informal opinion Nos. I-08-001 through I-08-022 that may be of interest to the government bar.
How green is your government?By Mary L. MilanoGovernment Lawyers, September 2008It arguably began in 2000, with the establishment by then-Governor Ryan of the Green Illinois Government Coordinating Council.
In-SitesGovernment Lawyers, September 2008Although we covered this topic a few years ago, Web sites have improved, so we revisit the topic of hospitals and nursing home ratings.
Attorney General issues opinionsBy Lynn PattonGovernment Lawyers, March 2008Under section 4 of the Attorney General Act (15 ILCS 205/4 (West 2006), as amended by Public Act 95-699, effective November 9, 2007), the Attorney General is authorized, upon request, to furnish written legal opinions to State officers and State’s Attorneys on matters relating to their official duties.
In-SitesGovernment Lawyers, March 2008Go Green! There are many ways to be conscious of our environment. And, believe it or not, many are “convenient!”
2007 legislative summaryBy James W. ChipmanGovernment Lawyers, December 2007The 2007 spring legislative session convened on January 10. After the new members were installed, the 95th General Assembly wasted no time in introducing an assortment of new legislation.
Attorney General issues opinionsBy Lynn PattonGovernment Lawyers, December 2007Under section 4 of the Attorney General Act (15 ILCS 205/4 (West 2006)), the Attorney General is authorized, upon request, to furnish written legal opinions to State officers and State’s Attorneys on matters relating to their official duties.
HHS Launches New Web site on HIPAA Privacy Compliance and EnforcementGovernment Lawyers, September 2007To coincide with the fourth anniversary of the enforcement of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the launch of an enhanced Web site that will make it easier for consumers, health care providers and others to get information about how the Department enforces health information privacy rights and standards.
Attorney General issues opinionsBy Lynn PattonGovernment Lawyers, March 2007Under section 4 of the Attorney General Act (15 ILCS 205/4 (West 2005 Supp.)), the Attorney General is authorized, upon request, to furnish written legal opinions to State officers and State’s Attorneys on matters relating to their official duties.
Former Assistant Public Defender Suspended Until Further OrderBy Rosalyn B. KaplanGovernment Lawyers, March 2007In September 2003, Julie Baldwin entered into a contract to serve as a part-time assistant public defender in Peoria County, where she was assigned to represent indigent parents in cases in which her clients faced the possibility of termination of their parental rights.
