The Bar News

Chief Justice Neville Led First-Year Students at DePaul University College of Law in the Pledge of Professionalism

Marybeth Stanziola — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 20:18:38 +0000

Chief Justice Neville led first-year students at DePaul University College of Law in the Pledge of Professionalism during DePaul’s law school professionalism orientation, which was held on Monday, August 17.

For the past 20 years, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism has partnered with Illinois law schools to host professionalism orientations for 1L students at Illinois law schools. These orientations explain a lawyer's responsibility to practice law with civility and professionalism, and to work to improve the profession for their generation and future lawyers.

During the orientation, justices and judges address the students and lead them in the Pledge of Professionalism, during which they commit to upholding the ideals of civility, professionalism, and integrity in law school and throughout their careers.

Case Law Update: Construction Defect Claims and Comprehensive Liability Coverage

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:23:46 +0000

Case Law Update: Construction Defect Claims and Comprehensive Liability Coverage

Live Webcast

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

11:00 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.

1.0 hour MCLE credit

Don’t miss this in-depth overview of how the comprehensive general liability (CGL) policy is structured and how courts are interpreting “property damage” after the Illinois Supreme Court’s landmark Acuity v. M/I Homes ruling. A discussion on three exclusions that can affect the outcome of modern coverage disputes – the professional liability exclusion, the pollution exclusion, and the prior work exclusion – are also included, as well as a look at how courts are drawing the boundaries of the exclusions, and how small shifts in policy language or factual framing can dramatically change the coverage analysis. Register here.

Notice of Vacancy Posted For Boone County Public Defender

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:32:42 +0000

ROCKFORD, IL – Brendan A. Maher, Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, has officially posted a notice of vacancy for the position of Boone County Public Defender. This vacancy is based on the selection of Public Defender Kathryn J. Cross to serve as an associate judge, with her swearing-in scheduled for September 2, 2026.

Employment responsibilities, qualifications, and instructions on how to apply are provided in the attached Notice of Vacancy. Applications must be received by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The vacancy will be filled by vote of the Circuit Judges in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.

Applications for 2027-28 ISBA Rural Practice Fellowship Program Are Now Open!

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:32:11 +0000

Now accepting applications for the 2027-28 season!

The ISBA’s Rural Practice Initiative Committee created the Rural Practice Fellowship Program in 2020 to increase access to attorneys in rural areas of Illinois. The Program connects rural and small-town attorneys and law firms looking to hire summer law clerks and full-time associates with law students and attorneys interested in practicing law in rural communities in Illinois.

As of 2020, data showed that more than half of Illinois counties have less than 0.7 lawyers in private practice per 1,000 residents. Thirty-five Illinois counties have ten or fewer attorneys total in private practice, and 13 counties have five or fewer attorneys total in private practice. Learn more about legal deserts.

The ISBA Rural Practice Section offers the Rural Practice Fellowship to address the issue.

The Summer Clerk portion of the Program connects law students with rural practitioners to give them experience working in rural communities before they leave law school. Summer Law Clerk Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend, mentoring, support, and training.

The Associate portion of the Program places attorneys as associates with rural practitioners where they serve both paying and pro bono clients. Associate Fellows receive a $10,000 stipend to be paid $5,000 at the beginning of the fellowship and $5,000 to be paid after the first year of the fellowship, mentoring, support, and training.

Deadline for applications is September 18, 2026.

Learn more about the programs and apply.

Email RPFellows@isba.org with questions.

Insurance and Risk Transfer for Data Centers

Marybeth Stanziola — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:23:36 +0000

Insurance and Risk Transfer for Data Centers

Live Webcast

Thursday, October 8, 2026

11:00 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.

1.0 hour MCLE credit

Data centers are rapidly emerging as the next big industry in Illinois, and with it comes a myriad of risks that attorneys must be prepared to navigate. Construction law attorneys, energy and utilities counsel, environmental practitioners, privacy and information security attorneys, and anyone tracking this fast-moving industry will leave this online seminar with a better understanding of: where development is concentrated and why the industry is accelerating; the key risk categories to be aware of, including: cyber and data-privacy vulnerabilities, construction defects, environmental impacts, and energy-supply challenges; identifying appropriate insurance policies and terms; how to allocate risk among constructors, owners, operators, and customers through indemnities, service agreements, and vendor relationships; and much more. Register here.

ISBA Sports and Entertainment Law Section WNBA Night Out

Marybeth Stanziola — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 16:34:31 +0000

On August 18, 2026, the ISBA Sports and Entertainment Law Section hosted an evening of fun, food, and women’s basketball as the Chicago Sky took on the New York Liberty at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago. 🏀

Justice Elizabeth Rochford Announces Notice of Vacancy for Circuit Judge in Nineteenth Circuit

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:45:10 +0000

Justice Elizabeth Rochford of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for a Resident Circuit Judge vacancy in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Third Subcircuit. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge Charles W. Smith effective Aug. 31, 2026.

Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled by Supreme Court appointment. The application process will lead to full Court approval.

The application form and instructions may be obtained by visiting the Illinois Supreme Court’s website and following the instruction in the latest news scroller announcing the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit vacancy. Please submit application and supporting documents to Stacie Ryan at sryan@illinoiscourts.gov.

Deadline for submission of an application is September 2, 2026, at 5 p.m.

The person selected to fill the vacancy will serve until the first Monday in December following the November 2028 general election.

To be eligible for consideration for appointment, the applicant must be a lawyer licensed to practice law in Illinois and a resident of the Nineteenth Circuit.

Any candidate seeking appointment to this vacancy shall, at the time of appointment, reside within the Subcircuit No. 3 boundaries. A map of the subcircuit boundaries can be found here.

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

Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judge Appointed in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:24:03 +0000

Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Natalie M. Stec as an associate judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.

Ms. Stec received her undergraduate degree in 1997 from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois and her Juris Doctor in 2000 from New York Law School in New York, New York. Ms. Stec is currently affiliated with Wolfe and Stec, Ltd. in Woodridge, Illinois.

Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judge Appointed in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:23:14 +0000

Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced that the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Kathryn J. Cross as associate judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.

Ms. Cross received her undergraduate degree in 2008 from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois and her Juris Doctor in 2011 from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Ms. Cross is currently affiliated with the Boone County Public Defender's Office in Belvidere, Illinois.

Practice Toolbox Series

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:04:36 +0000

Face the Future: Use AI to Market and Manage Your Business

Live Webcast

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

12:00 – 1:05 p.m.

1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit (subject to approval)

A lot of press talks about AI taking over the world. Instead of thinking of it in grandiose terms, what can an AI product, like ChatGPT, help you with day-to-day? Learn, with live, on-stage demos, how to use generative AI tools to create and review client questionnaires, business processes, and marketing materials. Register here.

Targeting Success: Build a Plan to Hit Your Financial Goals

Live Webcast

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

12:00 – 1:05 p.m.

1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit (subject to approval)

Strategy often gives way to daily interruptions and the unforeseen. This session walks through developing a thorough strategic plan. Build for success by understanding your vision, values, goals, and key business numbers. Figure out what matters and how that drives growth. Register here.

Recording in Progress

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:25:55 +0000

While Illinois is a two-party consent state when it comes to recording conversations, the National Labor Relations Board has held that when employees’ surreptitious recordings qualify as protected activity, federal labor law may preempt state eavesdropping statutes. In his August 2026 Illinois Bar Journal article, "Recording in Progress," Sam Hensel examines whether leadership changes at the Board may threaten this holding, creating uncertainty for employers, unions, and employees. Hensel suggests unions, especially, may wish to exercise caution in relying on employee-made recordings in legal proceedings.

Read, "Recording in Progress," in the August Illinois Bar Journal.

Daniel J. Heywood Elected to ISBA Board of Governors

Marybeth Stanziola — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:06:44 +0000

The ISBA Board of Governors elected Daniel J. Heywood to the vacant seat on the Board. Heywood has been an Assembly member since 2022. He is the former Chair of the State and Local Taxation section council and a current member of SALT. He is a member of the standing committees on Legislation, Assembly Finance, and unauthorized practice of law taskforce.

While attending law school, Daniel was a law clerk with the City of Chicago Law Department in the Collections and Ownership Litigation Division. Daniel also worked as a law clerk at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in the Real Estate Tax Division. Prior to joining Maher, Brannigan & Heywood, P.C., Daniel was an associate attorney at a firm that limited its practice to real estate taxation matters. Mr. Heywood has successfully tried cases before the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board securing real estate tax refunds on behalf of his clients. He is now a partner at Maher, Brannigan & Heywood, P.C., where he practices in the areas of real estate taxation and real estate transactions.

Dan Heywood is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Chicago Bar Association.

Mr. Heywood graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2002 and again in 2003, earning both his B.A. and M.A. degrees, respectively. Daniel received his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 2008. He was admitted to practice in Illinois, 2008, Northern District of Illinois, 2009, and United States Supreme Court, 2012.

Founded in 1877, the Illinois State Bar Association is the premier legal association in the state. As a voluntary organization of more than 25,000 members, the Association aims to assist Illinois lawyers in the practice of law and to promote improvements in the administration of justice.

Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers Receive Grant for Mural Artwork

Marybeth Stanziola — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:19:02 +0000

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) announced that the Illinois Arts Council, through its FY26 Creative Projects Grant, awarded $12,000 to juvenile detention centers in Illinois. Five counties with juvenile detention centers including Kane, Lake, McLean, Peoria, and Winnebago received funds to contract with local artists in order to create youth-led murals. Over the past year, these juvenile detention centers have utilized grant funds to complete murals within their facilities.

The Illinois Arts Council was created as a state agency in 1965 and serves the people of Illinois through a variety of grants and services. The Illinois Arts Council supports Illinois’ arts sector, advances arts education, and fosters creativity and working artists. The $12,000 in funding reflects the Illinois Arts Council’s mission to build a strong, creative, and connected Illinois through the arts. The announcement of this support underscores the importance of fostering unique, arts-based opportunities for Illinois communities.

“The mural projects gave youth in detention a chance to express what words cannot, opening doors to self-discovery and reflection. This grant funding provided that opportunity in each of these facilities,” said Mark Bronke, Detention Manager within AOIC’s Probation Services Division. The Probation Services Division held several informational webinars for detention center staff and provided relevant information to the counties during the application process.

The AOIC would like to thank the Illinois Arts Council for their commitment to Illinois’ juvenile detention centers.

Note: Mural photos available upon request.

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

IBF Lawyers Care Legacy Reception in Honor of Warren Lupel

Celeste Antoinette Niemann — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:13:18 +0000

On August 6, 2026, the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) hosted the Lawyers Care Legacy Reception at Roanoke Restaurant in Chicago, honoring the life and legacy of Warren Lupel.

A true luminary of the legal profession and lifelong advocate for those in need, Warren served on the IBF Board of Directors from 1995–2006, including as President from 2002–2004. His leadership, compassion, and steadfast belief in the ability of attorneys to support colleagues facing hardship helped shape and strengthen the Illinois Bar Foundation’s Warren Lupel Lawyers Care Fund.

Founded in 1951 and renamed in Warren’s honor in 2004, the Fund continues his enduring commitment to helping Illinois lawyers and their families in times of need.

We are eternally grateful for Warren’s leadership, service, and the lasting impact of his legacy.

To make a donation in Warren’s memory, visit the Illinois Bar Foundation website and select the Warren Lupel Lawyers Care Fund when donating.

Proceeds from the Lawyers Care Legacy Reception benefited the Warren Lupel Lawyers Care Fund. Learn more about the Lawyers Care Fund and its impact on the Illinois legal community.

PC: ISBA

Applications for 2027-28 ISBA Rural Practice Fellowship Program Open August 28

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:08:43 +0000

Applications open August 28, 2026!

The ISBA’s Rural Practice Initiative Committee created the Rural Practice Fellowship Program in 2020 to increase access to attorneys in rural areas of Illinois. The aim of the Program is to connect rural and small-town attorneys and law firms looking to hire summer law clerks and full-time associates with law students and attorneys interested in practicing law in rural communities in Illinois.

The ISBA Rural Practice Section offers the Rural Practice Fellowship to address the issue.

Deadline for applications is September 18, 2026.

Learn more about the programs and apply.

Email RPFellows@isba.org with questions.

ISBA’s Solo & Small Firm Conference 2026: From Log Cabin to Legacy: Growing and Sustaining a Solo or Small Firm in Illinois

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:41:54 +0000

ISBA’s Solo & Small Firm Conference 2026: From Log Cabin to Legacy: Growing and Sustaining a Solo or Small Firm in Illinois

Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette, 501 Main Street, Peoria

Thursday, September 17, 2026 – Friday, September 18, 2026

Thursday: 9:45 a.m. – 6:10 p.m. (Social Events to follow)

Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (Complimentary Breakfast serve prior)

Attend live onsite and earn up to 13.0 hours MCLE credit, including up to 7.0* hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit

ISBA’s two-day Solo and Small Firm Conference gives you the opportunity to earn CLE credits while enhancing your knowledge and networking with colleagues! Join us for ISBA’s 2026 Solo & Small Firm Conference, “From Log Cabin to Legacy,” a two‑day, in‑person event designed to bring Illinois solo and small firm attorneys together. Hosted at the Pere Marquette in the historic city of Peoria, this program delivers actionable CLE, real‑world insights, and the tools you need to help you build, grow, and sustain a lasting legal practice. Whether you’re launching your first law firm or focused on strengthening an established law business, you’ll gain the best practice tips and strategies for every stage of your professional journey. Register here.

Justice Sanjay T. Tailor Announces Multiple Judicial Vacancies in Cook County

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:57:19 +0000

Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor has begun an application process for four judicial vacancies – two at-large vacancies and two subcircuit vacancies – in Cook County.

The at-large vacancies are for the seats of Judge Diana Rosario (vacant as of June 1, 2026) and Judge Shelley Sutker-Dermer (vacant effective December 7, 2026), and the subcircuit vacancies are for the seats of Judge Sybil Thomas (19th Subcircuit, vacant as of January 31, 2026) and Judge Pamela Loza (12th Subcircuit, vacant effective September 18, 2026).

Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Tailor will make recommendations to the Supreme Court after applicants for the position undergo a screening and evaluation process.

The application form and instructions may be obtained by visiting the Illinois Supreme Court’s website at www.illinoiscourts.gov and following the instructions in the latest news scroller announcing the Cook County vacancies.

Applications must be filed electronically and the deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on September 10, 2026.

The persons appointed to fill the vacancies will serve until the first Monday in December following the November 2028 election.

To be eligible for consideration for appointment, the applicant must be a lawyer in good standing, licensed to practice law in Illinois, and a resident of the county or subcircuit at the time of appointment.

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

ISBA to Co-Sponsor All Bar Social on August 26

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:00:38 +0000

The Illinois State Bar Association will be a Gold Co-Sponsor of the All Bar Social with the Chicago Bar Association's Young Lawyers Section on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard St., Chicago. All lawyers and law students are welcome to attend!

Tickets are $50 and include drinks and appetizers.

ISBA members can receive a discount on tickets. Please email Miriam Griffith for more info on how to receive this discount.

Join 100's of other lawyers, law students, and judges from the Chicago legal community to network and socialize with one another at the same event!

Each association in attendance will have a representative who will be available to explain their respective legal organization’s goals and benefits of membership.

Ticket purchase includes a wristband drink package and appetizers. All members of Chicago's Legal Community are welcome.

Visit the Chicago Bar Association website to view all of the participating associations.

Consensual Release

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:43:31 +0000

In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court released its opinion in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P, for which a sharply divided court concluded that U.S. bankruptcy courts and U.S. district courts exercising bankruptcy jurisdiction lacked the authority to approve a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan if that plan includes a nonconsensual release of any nondebtor’s claims against another nondebtor. In his August Illinois Bar Journal article, "Consensual Releases," Austin R. Carlson explains why practitioners looking for guidance after Purdue Pharma should should focus on how the ruling may affect negotiating a favorable settlement with a third-party funding source, soliciting releases from the estate’s creditors to maximize creditor buy-in, and crafting a reorganization plan to maximize the odds of confirmation.

Read, "Consensual Release," in the August Illinois Bar Journal.

Illinois Supreme Court Appoints 13 Judges to Circuit Court of Cook County

Marybeth Stanziola — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:12:15 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the appointment of 13 judges in the Circuit Court of Cook County. These appointments were made out of public necessity to ensure an adequate level of judicial staffing in Cook County.

Each appointee has received recent positive ratings following interviews and evaluations from the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening. They will run unopposed in the November general election.

The appointments are effective today, August 10, 2026, and all will conclude on December 7, 2026, following the November 2026 general election. The appointees are Sam Bae, Julian Sanchez Crozier, Robert “Bob” Groebner, William F. Kelley, Stephanie S. Kelly, Jarrett Knox, Juan Ponce de Leon, Ashonta C. Rice, Ashley Greer Shambley, Ava George Stewart, Jon Stromsta, Luz Maria Toledo and Radiance Ward.

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