Section Newsletters

Articles From 2016

Illinois foreclosure mediation program awaits approval in Macon County By Ann Nenoff Alternative Dispute Resolution, June 2016 Several counties in Illinois have implemented mediation programs in an attempt to combat the ongoing home foreclosure crisis. Macon County hopes to be the next county to implement this program, but is awaiting approval from the Illinois Supreme Court.
Illinois Governor signs sales tax bill providing clarity for new cancer treatment By David J. Kupiec & Natalie M. Martin State and Local Taxation, September 2016 On August, 19, 2016, Governor Rauner signed Senate Bill 3047 (Public Act 99-0858), which provides that FDA classified medical devices that are used for cancer treatment pursuant to a prescription will be taxed at the reduced 1% rate of tax applied to medicines rather than the standard 6.25% sales tax rate.
Illinois Human Rights Commission decision summary Labor and Employment Law, February 2016 A summary of John D. Terry and Watts Copy Systems.
Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program By Hon. James M. Radcliffe, (Ret). General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2016 We work in a highly charged, competitive profession that maintains very high standards. Illinois Lawyers Assistance Program is available to help if you or a colleague is struggling.
Illinois Legal Aid Online: Technology increases access to legal help and makes pro bono easy By Nicole Capretta Child Law, September 2016 Legal Answers is an online portal for Illinois attorneys to provide limited scope legal advice to lower income Illinois residents about their civil legal issues.
Illinois’ new small estate affidavit By Lauren Evans DeJong General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2016 A small estate affidavit allows for the administration of small estates (in Illinois, personal assets valued under $100,000) without the necessity of court proceedings.
The Illinois RUFADAA: Guiding privacy, access and disclosure in the digital age By Jingjing Lin Trusts and Estates, October 2016 This article reviews both the uniform and Illinois law, and discusses the potential impact of the legislation on attorneys assisting clients in the estate planning process.
1 comment (Most recent October 11, 2016)
Illinois Rule of Evidence 1006 By David P. Huber Civil Practice and Procedure, January 2016 Illinois Rule of Evidence 1006, which is underutilized and perhaps underappreciated, is useful in that it promotes efficiency and focus on the pertinent matters which need to be addressed by a court.
The Illinois Supreme Court denies property rights to an unmarried same-sex couple who could not get married – Blumenthal v. Brewer, 2016 IL 118781 (2016) By Chelsea Button Human and Civil Rights, December 2016 A same-sex couple unable to marry under Illinois law could not claim any property rights because they were not married, according to a recent decision by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Illinois top for animal protection laws, but fight continues By Ken Stalkfleet Animal Law, May 2016 The Animal Legal Defense Fund ranked Illinois as the top jurisdiction in the United States for animal protection for the eighth consecutive year in 2015. However, the report also listed several potential improvements.
Impediments to fairness By Robert Wells Alternative Dispute Resolution, June 2016 Readers: Your experience, and those of your clients, warrant your participation in the discussion and a determination of what may be needed to ensure the system is equitable and just.
Implementing the bond as substitute security for a mechanics lien claim By Paul Peterson Construction Law, March 2016 Author Paul Peterson's article discusses implementing the bond, provides suggested forms and authorized sureties who can give a 770 ILCS 60/38.1 bond in Cook County, Illinois as of March 14, 2016.
Improving law firm profitability: Top 10 cost-cutting strategies By John W. Olmstead Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2016 You have to spend money to make money. So if cost cutting is the appropriate strategy, cut the right costs. Here are some ideas.
In a divorce, Illinois courts have no authority to order pet “visitation” By Michele M. Jochner Animal Law, May 2016 In the first case of its kind in Illinois, the First District Appellate Court has ruled that courts have no authority to enter an order requiring that a soon-to-be ex-spouse have “visitation” rights with pets.
In a divorce, Illinois courts have no authority to order pet “visitation” By Michele M. Jochner Family Law, March 2016 In the first case of its kind in Illinois, the First District Appellate Court has ruled that courts have no authority to enter an order requiring that a soon-to-be ex-spouse have “visitation” rights with pets.
In re Estate of Agin By Mary Anne Spellman Gerstner Trusts and Estates, November 2016 The opinion in this case demonstrates the importance of a clear expression of the settlor’s intent in the trust language itself, the meaning of the term per stirpes, and reflects the impediments which exist to presenting extrinsic evidence in interpreting a trust.
In re Estate of Agin—Deceased beneficiary of uncle’s land trust outlived uncle but died before distribution of trust sale proceeds. Decedent’s trust share held to be an asset of his estate and did not pass to his children under trust agreement By Mary Anne Spellman Gerstner General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, August 2016 The opinion in this case demonstrates the importance of a clear expression of the settlor’s intent in the trust language itself, the meaning of the term per stirpes, and reflects the impediments which exist to presenting extrinsic evidence in interpreting a trust.
In the April issue… By Jennifer Bunker Trusts and Estates, April 2016 An introduction to the issue from Editor Jennifer Bunker.
In the August issue… By Jennifer Bunker Trusts and Estates, August 2016 An introduction to the issue from Editor Jennifer Bunker.
In the February issue… By Jennifer Bunker Trusts and Estates, February 2016 An introduction to the issue from Editor Jennifer Bunker.
In the January issue… By Jennifer Bunker Trusts and Estates, January 2016 An introduction to the issue from Editor Jennifer Bunker.
In the July issue… By Jennifer Bunker Trusts and Estates, July 2016 An introduction to the issue from Editor Jennifer Bunker.
In the June issue… By Jennifer Bunker Trusts and Estates, June 2016 An introduction to the issue from Editor Jennifer Bunker.
In the March issue… Trusts and Estates, March 2016 An introduction to the issue from Editor Jennifer Bunker.
In the May issue… By Jennifer Bunker Trusts and Estates, May 2016 An introduction to the issue from Editor Jennifer Bunker.
In the October issue… By Jennifer Bunker Trusts and Estates, October 2016 An introduction to the issue from Editor Jennifer Bunker.
In the September issue… By Jennifer Bunker Trusts and Estates, September 2016 An introduction to this month's issue from Editor Jennifer Bunker.
An in-house perspective By Christopher Stemler Business Advice and Financial Planning, May 2016 Tips intended to help private attorneys understand what in-house counsel want or need from them.
An in-house perspective By Christopher Stemler Corporate Law Departments, March 2016 Tips intended to help private attorneys understand what in-house counsel want or need from them.
Income tax legislative update State and Local Taxation, April 2016 New laws affecting income tax.