The Bar News

Installation of ISBA President Perry J. Browder

Celeste Antoinette Niemann — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:31:01 +0000

Perry J. Browder of Alton, a senior partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy, was installed as the 150th president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) during a ceremony held June 4, 2026, at the Illinois Supreme Court Building, 200 E. Capitol Avenue, in Springfield.

Photo credit: Kari Bedford Photography

Landlord – Tenant Issues: Inspections, Discrimination, Housing Court, and More

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:06:20 +0000

Landlord – Tenant Issues: Inspections, Discrimination, Housing Court, and More

Live Webcast

Friday, June 26, 2026

9:00 a.m. – 11:50 p.m.

2.50 hours MCLE credit

Landlord-tenant disputes are rarely straightforward breaches of contract. A single case can quickly balloon into a web of housing code violations, cross-complaints, and eviction issues. Layered onto this already intricate landscape is the widespread use of LLCs in property ownership, which can obscure responsibility and complicate efforts to identify proper parties or enforce remedies. Whether you represent commercial owners, residential property managers, or individual tenants, this program provides actionable discovery strategies, venue-selection insights, and litigation checklists to help you better advise your clients. Register here.

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres Promotes Erin McAdams Franzblau to Co-Chair of Employment & Labor Group

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:02:12 +0000

CHICAGO, June 9, 2026 – Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres (CFDB), one of the nation's fastest-growing law firms, announced that Erin McAdams Franzblau has been promoted to Co-Chair of the Firm's Employment & Labor Group alongside Tracey Wolfe, further strengthening the leadership of one of the Firm's core practice areas.

In her expanded role, Franzblau will work in partnership with Wolfe to guide the strategic direction of the Employment & Labor Group, oversee practice development and ensure the continued delivery of high-quality counsel to the Firm's clients across the full spectrum of employment and labor matters.

"Erin is an exceptional attorney whose dedication to her clients and her colleagues has made a lasting impact on our Firm," said Jessica Fairchild, Co-founder and Co-founder of Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres. "Her promotion to Co-chair recognizes not only her outstanding legal ability but also the leadership she brings to the team every day. We are confident that Erin and Tracey together will drive continued growth and excellence in our Employment & Labor Group."

"Erin's promotion reflects the depth of talent within our Firm and our commitment to developing leaders from within," said Drew Beres, Managing Partner at Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres. "She has consistently demonstrated the judgment, skill and collaborative spirit that define CFDB, and we are thrilled to see her step into this well-deserved leadership role."

About Croke Fairchild and Point of Difference Strategies

A full-service law firm, Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres ("CFDB") is home to a diverse team of trusted advisors valued for their legal skill, intellectual curiosity and commitment to pragmatic solutions. The Firm advises entrepreneurs, investors, growth-stage companies, family offices, family businesses and Fortune 500 companies, and is one of the largest and fastest-growing certified women-owned law firms in the nation. CFDB is a member of the National Association of Minority and Women-Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF).

CFDB's lobbying and government affairs partner is Point of Difference Strategies. Point of Difference Strategies is a lobbying firm in Illinois, with offices in Chicago and Springfield. Specializing in strategic advice, advocacy and relationship management, Point of Difference Strategies offers top-tier government affairs and lobbying services at federal, state and local levels. Point of Difference Strategies proudly serves a diverse client base, including local governments, trade organizations, Fortune 100 companies and non-profits. Point of Difference Strategies is the largest wholly Latina-owned lobbying firm in Illinois. For more information, visit www.podstrategies.com.

Notice of Vacancy for the Director of the Macoupin-Greene-Scott Probation District, 7th Judicial Circuit

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:45:50 +0000

The Chief Judge of the 7th Judicial Circuit is posting notice for one vacancy which exists for the Director position of the Macoupin-Greene-Scott Probation District whose primary office is in Carlinville, IL. Resumes are now being accepted for this vacancy.

Any person filling this position must comply with hiring/promotion policies of the Illinois Probation Court Services.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to:

Bridget Butler
Trial Court Administrator
Sangamon County Complex
200 S. 9th Street, Room 724
Springfield, IL 62701
Bridget.Butler@sangamonil.gov

Resumes must be received by the 4:00 p.m. deadline on June 30, 2026.

Pro Bono Spotlight: Reclaiming Access to Justice as a National Value

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:33:39 +0000

By: Andrew Sharp, Esq., Knowledge Strategy Manager, CARPLS; Executive Director, Legal Wellness Clinic

On June 19, 2026, the Obama Presidential Center opens its doors on Chicago’s South Side. The Center celebrates a presidency grounded in civic participation, dignity, and the idea that government can be a force for inclusion when it is designed to meet people where they are. As the legal profession reflects on that legacy, one part of it deserves renewed attention: the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Access to Justice.

Access to justice has never been a partisan concept. The inability to resolve a housing dispute, challenge an illegal fee, obtain benefits, or navigate a court process without counsel affects Americans across the political spectrum—urban and rural, red and blue. These are everyday legal problems, and when they go unaddressed, they escalate into deeper crises for families and communities.

The Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) was one of the most concrete federal efforts to confront this reality since the creation of the Legal Services Corporation in 1974. Developed during the Obama administration and formally established in 2016, ATJ served as a coordinating hub within the Department of Justice and across the federal government. It staffed and led the Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (LAIR), which brought together nearly 30 federal agencies to align programs, funding streams, and policies around civil legal aid and access to justice efforts nationwide.[1] [2]

Through that work, ATJ helped elevate issues that practitioners have long understood. It advanced federal attention to fines and fees practices that trap people in cycles of debt and criminalization, producing research and guidance that highlighted constitutional and policy concerns with so‑called debtors’ prisons. It supported work on the civil right to counsel, language access, and court simplification—issues that determine whether people can meaningfully use legal systems at all.[3] [4]

ATJ also modeled what thoughtful federal leadership could look like in practice. As recently as 2025, the office was running a nationwide Access to Justice Prize Competition through Challenge.gov, awarding grants to innovative projects addressing the rural justice gap. Winners included courts, legal aid organizations, corrections agencies, and clinics piloting creative ways to deliver legal help where resources are scarce.[5] [6]

Today, that work appears to have stalled. Much of ATJ’s online presence has been moved to archived pages, and the office no longer appears to be operating as an active policy driver within DOJ. This is not the first erosion of the office; A2J's function has been diminished more than once over the past decade, despite bipartisan acknowledgment that the justice gap remains severe.

The cost of this absence is severe. During the COVID‑19 pandemic—when evictions surged, benefits systems broke down, and courts rapidly shifted procedures—there was no fully empowered federal A2J office positioned to coordinate legal aid response across agencies and jurisdictions. Reports produced through LAIR during that period documented the challenges, but coordination came late and unevenly.

Those challenges have not receded. Courts across the country continue to see growing numbers of self‑represented litigants. Increasingly, people are turning to generative AI tools to understand their legal problems, fill out forms, or decide what steps to take next.[7] At the same time, the federal government recently announced it is actively engaging in oversight of AI.[8] In this moment, the absence of a federal entity explicitly charged with centering access to justice—accuracy, equity, usability, and accountability for people without lawyers—is striking.

As we celebrate President Obama’s legacy with the opening of his Presidential Center, there is an opportunity to retrieve and renew this part of it. Revitalizing a federal Office for Access to Justice would not solve the justice gap on its own. But it would reestablish a national commitment to coordination, evidence‑based policy, and partnership with the legal aid and pro bono communities that do this work every day.

Access to justice is not an abstract ideal. It is the difference between rights that exist on paper and rights that can be exercised in real life. Reclaiming that commitment would be a fitting way to honor a legacy rooted in the simple, powerful idea that justice should belong to everyone.

Updates to Illinois Judges Foundation Harold Sullivan Scholarship Program

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:28:55 +0000

The Illinois Judges Foundation (IJF) is proud to support the next generation of legal leaders through its Harold Sullivan Scholarship Program—a collection of scholarships recognizing law students who demonstrate a commitment to service, integrity, and the pursuit of justice.

New this year, the IJF introduces the Justice Mary Jane Theis Scholarship, one of several awards offered under the Harold Sullivan Scholarship umbrella, honoring Justice Theis’s legacy of leadership and dedication to the judiciary.

Each year, the IJF awards multiple scholarships in varying amounts to students attending Illinois law schools. We are pleased to announce that the Foundation has increased its top scholarship award from $5,000 to $7,500, to be applied toward law school tuition and fees.

Historically, the IJF has awarded multiple scholarships annually, with no set limit on the total number of awards that may be granted in any given year. Scholarship funds are paid directly to recipients’ law schools and applied toward tuition and other qualified educational expenses. In some cases, law schools may also provide matching funds, thereby increasing the total financial support available to each student.

Law Student Scholarship Application Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Enrolled in an Illinois law school with at least one year remaining
Demonstrated financial need
Community service and/or pro bono experience
No close family member who is a judge

IJF Harold Sullivan Scholarship Application 2026 Submission Deadline & Instructions

The Illinois Judges Foundation is accepting applications until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026.

More information and the application form can be found at www.ijafoundation.org/scholarship

Applications and questions should be sent to Hon. Helaine Berger, (Ret.) and Hon. April G. Troemper, ijf@chicagobar.org.

Stronger Together

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:37:50 +0000

The Illinois Bar Journal “Notable AI Experience” Contest ends June 14. Enter today!

This spring, the Illinois State Bar Association hosted a forum featuring an all-star slate of speakers who reflected on what women attorneys bring to the table—and the ongoing fight for a seat there. Speakers included three current and two retired Illinois Supreme Court justices and SCOTUSblog cofounder Amy Howe, who has argued more than two dozen cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and has taught courses at Stanford and Harvard law schools. In "Stronger Together," the June Illinois Bar Journal's cover story, Illinois attorney Amelia Buragas, director of the Legal Studies program and Pre-Law Advisor within the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University, provides a summary of highlights from that day.

Read, "Stronger Together," in the June Illinois Bar Journal.

Simmons Hanly Conroy Reaches $12 Billion in Client Recoveries

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:13:07 +0000

ALTON, Ill. —

Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP is proud to announce it has secured more than $12 billion on behalf of clients nationwide, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s continued advocacy for individuals and families impacted by asbestos exposure, environmental contamination, dangerous pharmaceuticals, corporate negligence, and personal injury.

Over the past 25 years, Simmons Hanly Conroy has built a national reputation for handling high-stakes, complex litigation, serving in leadership roles across some of the most consequential multidistrict litigation in the country. The firm’s work has helped shape outcomes in cases involving prescription opioids, mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, toxic contamination, consumer fraud, and mass injury events affecting communities nationwide.

“Reaching this milestone reflects decades of relentless advocacy on behalf of our clients,” said Laurence V. Nassif, Managing Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. “Every recovery represents an individual or family that turned to our firm during an incredibly difficult time, and we remain committed to pursuing accountability from the corporations and institutions responsible for causing harm.”

Founded in Alton, Illinois, Simmons Hanly Conroy has grown into one of the nation’s largest mass tort law firms, with offices across the country and attorneys appointed to leadership positions in numerous national litigations.

The firm is widely recognized for its pioneering asbestos and mesothelioma practice and its expanding leadership in environmental, pharmaceutical, and consumer protection litigation.

The firm’s $12 billion in recoveries spans a broad range of litigation areas, including:

Mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases
Prescription opioid litigation
Environmental and toxic exposure claims
Sexual abuse litigation
Pharmaceutical and medical device injuries
Consumer protection and complex personal injury matters

In addition to its litigation work, Simmons Hanly Conroy continues to support mesothelioma research, patient advocacy initiatives, and community organizations through philanthropic efforts and programs such as the annual Miles for Meso 5K race and fun run/walk.

As the firm marks this milestone, Simmons Hanly Conroy remains focused on advancing litigation that seeks justice for individuals, families, workers, and communities harmed by negligence and misconduct.

About Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP

Simmons Hanly Conroy is one of the nation’s largest mass tort law firms, dedicated to helping victims of mesothelioma and asbestos-related cancers. Other primary areas of litigation include prescription opioids, sexual abuse, pharmaceutical, consumer protection, environmental, and personal injury. The firm's attorneys have been appointed to leadership in numerous national multidistrict litigations, including prescription opioids, Vioxx, Yaz, Toyota unintended acceleration, BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, DePuy Pinnacle, Uber Rideshare sexual assault, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Norfolk Southern East Palestine train derailment, social media adolescent addiction, hair relaxer products injury, and the Volkswagen emission scandal. The firm also represents small and mid-size corporations, inventors and entrepreneurs in matters involving business litigation. Firm attorneys’ passion for improving the lives of asbestos victims and their families extends to the firm’s contributions to mesothelioma cancer research and ongoing support through initiatives including the firm’s annual Miles for Meso 5K race and fun run/walk. Firm offices are located in Alton, Illinois; Boston; Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; San Francisco; and St. Louis. Read more at www.simmonsfirm.com.

Civil Appeal Basics: How to Preserve Issues in the Trial Court

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:06:52 +0000

Civil Appeal Basics: How to Preserve Issues in the Trial Court

Live Webcast

Thursday, June 18, 2026

11:00 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.

1.0 hour MCLE credit

Elevate your trial practice and safeguard your appeals with this online seminar that shows you how to protect the record for the next stage of your case. Listen as our speaker, Timothy J. Storm, covers practical, real‑world techniques for preserving issues effectively—including understanding what it means to “make a record,” crafting airtight evidentiary objections, using offers of proof to ensure appellate review of excluded evidence, and following the precise steps needed to preserve jury‑instruction challenges. You will learn how to use and respond to motions in limine and how rulings on those motions can shape trial and appellate strategies. The program also clarifies when post-trial motions are mandatory (and when they’re simply smart practice) and clarifies the role of plain‑error analysis on appeal. Register here.

Illinois Supreme Court Announces Policy on Transparency

Marybeth Stanziola — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:39:13 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the release of a Policy on Transparency in the courts, a vital step toward providing the public with more of the essential data and information from the judicial branch.

“Transparency means making data, budgets, and financial reports accessible to the public. It is the judiciary’s strongest bridge to public trust and to the restoration of confidence in our courts,” Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. said. “The Supreme Court appreciates the work of everyone who helped create this policy and looks forward to its implementation.”

By July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) will publish data from Circuit Clerk Offices, Court Services/Probation, Juvenile Detention Center(s) (JDC), the Supreme and Appellate Courts, and the Illinois Office of Statewide Pretrial Services (OSPS).

On or before July 31, 2026, and annually thereafter, the AOIC will publish the Judicial Branch Budget, and will also identify the number of Judicial Branch full-time employees and organizational charts.

The full policy, including the specific categories of data which will be released by July 1, can be found here.

The Illinois Supreme Court remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency. The AOIC and OSPS will review this policy annually and advise the Court as to whether and when additional categories of data and information should be made public.

In addition to the forthcoming data, data from the Illinois Courts currently available online include the Circuit Court Statistical Dashboard, Data & Metrics Pretrial Dashboards from OSPS, and yearly statistical summaries from the Illinois Courts Annual Report.

The Policy on Transparency emerged from recommendations by the Illinois Judicial Conference’s (IJC) Public Requests for Information Task Force (Task Force). The Task Force was created in 2024 and charged with developing recommendations to improve judicial branch transparency.

The IJC is the body charged with strategic planning for the Illinois Judicial Branch and is comprised of 29 voting members: 15 judges and 14 non-judges, with the Chief Justice serving as Chair. The Judicial Branch’s 2026-2028 Strategic Agenda is available here.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court at 217.208.3354 or jbrunner@illinoiscourts.gov).

Simmons Hanly Conroy Welcomes 2026 Summer Associates and Returning Law Clerks

Marybeth Stanziola — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:28:51 +0000

ALTON, Ill. — Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, is pleased to announce the 2026 Summer Associate class and to welcome back two returning law clerks. The firm has selected seven outstanding law students from schools across the country to participate in the summer associate program, running from May 18 through August 14, 2026. In addition, two former summer associates are returning to the firm as law clerks, bringing valuable experience from their time with the firm last summer.

The summer associates will work alongside attorneys on legal research and writing, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation, with opportunities to shadow attorneys in depositions and court appearances.

"The caliber of this year's summer associate class reflects the exceptional talent being cultivated at law schools across the country, and we are equally thrilled to welcome back two outstanding law clerks who made a lasting impression last summer," said Simmons Hanly Conroy Managing Partner Laurence V. Nassif. "Each of these individuals brings a distinct background and a deep commitment to justice. We are proud to invest in their development and look forward to the contributions they will make — this summer and throughout their careers."

The firm is proud to welcome back the following returning law clerks:

Ryan Feldman is a law student at Brooklyn Law School, where he is a member of the Brooklyn Entertainment & Sports Law Society. Feldman earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a Certificate in History from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. Before law school, Feldman gained hands-on legal experience as a paralegal at Sanders Law Group.

Madeleine Stobbs is a law student at Saint Louis University School of Law, where she is a member of the Health Law Association. Stobbs earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University, graduating magna cum laude.

The firm is also proud to welcome the following individuals to the 2026 Summer Associate class:

Grant S. Antink is a law student at Simmons Law School, Southern Illinois University, where he has been named to the Dean's List. Antink earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois Chicago, where he was an executive member of Phi Kappa Psi, the Interfraternity Council, and Undergraduate Student Government.

Hannah Clare Bauta is a law student at St. Thomas University College of Law in Miami, where she is a member-candidate of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society. Bauta earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Central Florida. Before law school, Bauta founded and operated two businesses in Orlando, Realm Elite Fitness and Krispy Roos, and previously served as a research assistant in the University of Central Florida Power Lab.

Davon Christian Bell is a law student at SIU Simmons Law School in Carbondale, Illinois, where he is a member of the Black Law Students Association. Bell earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a Minor in African-American Studies from University of Houston.

Matthew R. Herman is a law student at Southern Illinois University Simmons School of Law and is a CALI Award recipient in International Criminal Law. Herman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Classics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Addison Hoffman is a law student at Saint Louis University School of Law and a Law School Dean's Scholar. A St. Louis native, Hoffman earned a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in History and Sociology from the University of Missouri, graduating summa cum laude.

Alexis C. Lawrence is a law student at SIU Simmons Law School, serving as Class Representative for both the Student Bar Association and Phi Sigma Pi, and as Engagement Coordinator for the Veterans Law Student Association. A U.S. Army commissioned officer currently serving in the Reserves, Lawrence holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Stetson University

About Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP

New ISBA Practice Solution Spotlight Video Series

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:26:19 +0000

The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) is excited to announce our new Practice Solution Spotlight video series on the ISBA YouTube channel. Practice Solution Spotlight features short, informative videos that highlight ISBA member benefits and provide guided walkthroughs of practice management platforms, including Clio, PracticePanther, and Smokeball.

This series aims to help members get the most out of their benefits and save time when searching for the right practice management tools for their firms.

View the Practice Solution Spotlight playlist on YouTube!

June Is Member Appreciation Month!

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:15:52 +0000

This June, we're celebrating you during Member Appreciation Month. We have a full calendar of prizes, discounts, and giveaways, so stay tuned to ISBA communications for detailed announcements with instructions for how you can get in on the fun. You can look forward to a bookstore sale, free live CLE webcasts, member renewal incentives, social media contests, and more. View our Member Appreciation Month page for additional details.

Illinois Supreme Court Announces Creation of Pretrial Accountability Task Force

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:04:50 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the creation of a Pretrial Accountability Task Force (Task Force) to address the growing number of defendants on electronic monitoring and make system improvements in the arrest warrant (warrant) process. There are currently over 5,500 pretrial defendants presently being monitored electronically across Illinois.

The Task Force is charged with examining the use of pretrial electronic monitoring (EM), including the types of cases and charges for which EM is ordered as a condition of pretrial release, as well as the policies and procedures governing how pretrial EM violations are enforced. The Task Force will examine and evaluate the processes, practices and policies related to warrants issued during the pretrial phase of a criminal case, including the number of active warrants statewide and the enforcement mechanisms in place to ensure pretrial warrants are executed expediently.

The appointed members of the Task Force are Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Charles S. Beach, 7th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Ryan M. Cadigan, 20th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson, Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly, 12th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Daniel Kennedy, Loyola University Chicago Center for Criminal Justice Professor and Co-Director David Olson, Counselor to the Chief Justice Dartesia Pitts, Director of the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services Cara LeFevour Smith, and 16th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Robert K. Villa. Chief Judge Villa will serve as Chair of the Task Force.

In addition, each chief judge will designate one judge from his judicial circuit who hears criminal cases to serve on the Task Force. A Circuit Court Clerk (or Clerk’s designee) from each of the circuits represented will serve on the Task Force. A Sheriff (or Sheriff’s designee) from each of the above-referenced circuits will also serve on the Task Force. The Task Force will also consult with local law enforcement agencies.

The Task Force will hold its inaugural meeting within the next seven days. The Task Force will issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the Supreme Court within 45 days.

The order creating the Task Force is available here.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court at 217.208.3354 or jbrunner@illinoiscourts.gov)

Available Now-PMBR (2026-2027) Self-Assessment Program

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:00:21 +0000

On May 28th, 2026, the ARDC released a new PMBR Self-Assessment Program on its Online Learning Portal. Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(e), Illinois lawyers in private practice who do not maintain malpractice insurance are required to complete this four-hour Program as a 2027 attorney registration requirement. In addition, all Illinois lawyers can complete the entire Program, or any module within the Program, for up to four hours of free MCLE professional responsibility credit. Learn more about the PMBR (2026-2027) Program and get started today!

Begin the ARDC’s PMBR Program or any of the ARDC’s on-demand CLE programs today by visiting the ARDC Online Learning Portal.

Participate in the IJC Remote Access Task Force’s Survey

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:43:04 +0000

The Illinois Judicial Conference (IJC) created the Remote Access Task Force pursuant to the core values and goals set forth in the 2026-2028 Illinois Judicial Branch Strategic Agenda. The IJC believes remote court appearances increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and accessibility of the courts while building trust and confidence in the judicial branch. The IJC further believes that greater access to justice will be achieved by improving and standardizing remote court appearances.

As part of its work, the IJC Remote Access Task Force is studying the implementation of Supreme Court Rule 45, Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings.

The Task Force is asking you to complete a survey so we can hear about the implementation of Rule 45 and the part it plays in your practice and community. The survey will help the Task Force determine what further support or assistance may be needed and how remote court appearances can be improved and made more consistent. The Task Force is also surveying other stakeholders including judges, clerks, and court administrators. They will complete similar but distinct surveys on Rule 45 and remote court appearances.

We would appreciate your response by Tuesday, June 30. The survey is available online, but if you have any questions, please contact us or Sarah Song at the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (ssong@illinoiscourts.gov).

Thank you in advance for your assistance. Your responses will provide valuable insight to help guide the Task Force’s work and future recommendations.

Perry J. Browder Installed as 150th President of the Illinois State Bar Association

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:24:06 +0000

Perry J. Browder, a Senior Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy, was installed today as president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) at the Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield. Browder is the 150th president of the Association.

Since 1988, President Browder has worked throughout the state of Illinois on a variety of cases helping numerous families resolve hundreds of million dollar-plus cases. He joined Simmons Hanly Conroy in 2001 and played a key role in helping the firm develop its national reputation. Early in President Browder’s career there, he successfully secured one of the largest asbestos verdicts in the country, a $250 million verdict against U.S. Steel.

President Browder grew up in Chicago and graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1988. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) and on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Judges Foundation as an attorney representative. President Browder is also a past president of both the Illinois Bar Foundation and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

Photo: Kari Bedford Photography.

24th Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:35:12 +0000

The ISBA Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section hosted the 24th annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference on May 21-22, 2026, at the IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W Adams Street, Chicago.

The conference featured annual updates on agency activities and priorities in Illinois and the Region presented by top representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Attendees learned about the latest hot topic issues in environmental law from leading practitioners.

Illinois Judicial Branch Announces New Resources for Mental Health Awareness

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:55:29 +0000

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) has announced a collaboration between the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice’s Disability Access Committee (Committee) and the AOIC Behavioral Health Administrator. Together, they have developed and released two resources designed to enhance the court system’s response to mental health: the Desk Card: Responding to Mental Health at Court and the Bench Card: Mental Health Crisis & Judicial Response.

The release of these resources comes at a time when the intersection of the legal system and mental health is more prominent than ever. Mental illness is common and treatable, yet it poses unique challenges within a courtroom setting.

The newly released resources provide practical, evidence-based guidance to ensure dignity, safety, and due process:

Responding to Mental Health at Court: Designed for all court personnel, this guide focuses on observing behavioral changes, using person-first language, and navigating resources like Court Disability Coordinators (CDCs).
Bench Card: Mental Health Crisis & Judicial Response: Specifically for judges, this card outlines de-escalation techniques and legal frameworks for court-ordered temporary detention and examination when a person is in immediate crisis.

"Our goal is to reduce barriers and promote dignity for every court user," said August Hieber, Senior Program Manager with the Access to Justice Division of the AOIC who staffs the Committee. "By equipping our staff and judiciary with these tools, we can better navigate the complexities of mental health with empathy and professionalism".

For more information and resources, visit ilcourts.info/atj-resources. For more information on these resources or the Disability Access Committee, please contact August Hieber at Ahieber@IllinoisCourts.gov.

Illinois Courts Invited to Apply for Access to Justice Improvement Grants and Join Court Navigator Network

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:49:40 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts are excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Access to Justice (ATJ) Improvement Grant Program. Courts across Illinois at all levels are encouraged to apply for funding and to consider joining the Court Navigator Network (Network) of court personnel who assist self-represented litigants (SRLs) and advance access to justice.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) is open, and applications will be accepted through July 10, 2026.

The ATJ Improvement Grant encourages local courts to reflect on what their communities need to advance access to justice, and as the program enters its tenth year, the Commission hopes courts will dream big.

In the past, grant funds have supported a wide range of creative solutions, including:

Transforming underused courthouse spaces into welcoming self-help centers,
Updating signage to help visitors find their way,
Creating early resolution programs that help families move through divorce cases more efficiently, and
Building partnerships with public libraries to expand access to legal information and resources.

Even if a grant is not awarded or requested, a designated staff member may participate in the Network, which will include grant recipients, Illinois JusticeCorps members, and Illinois Court Help guides. Members of the Network serve as a bridge, linking their courthouses with others throughout the state to share ideas, develop new initiatives, and strengthen support for SRLs across Illinois.

Participation in the Network offers local courts an opportunity to connect with peers, learn about innovative projects, and bring fresh perspectives to their own courts and communities. More details about joining the Network can be found in the RFP.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Song, Deputy Director, ATJ Division, at 217.208.3364 or ssong@illinoiscourts.gov)