Central Illinois

If you represent a veteran or have family members who are veterans, the Governor signed about 22 bills affecting them over the weekend. They may be found at this link, Public Acts 96-79 through 96-101.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier announced today that an application process has begun for a Circuit Court vacancy in the Fourth Judicial Circuit. The at-large Circuit vacancy is being created by the announced resignation of Circuit Judge John Coady, effective October 3, 2009. Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies. Justice Karmeier uses an application, evaluation and interview process to make recommendations to the Court for vacancies in the Fifth Judicial District. Notice of the vacancy has been posted in courthouses throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Applicants must submit a cover letter with the Requested Information of an Applicant Form to: Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier, Supreme Court of Illinois, P.O. Box 266, Nashville, IL 62263. The form may be obtained from the office of Chief Judge Gene Schwarm of the Fourth Judicial Circuit; the presiding judge or circuit clerks of the counties within the Fourth Circuit or from Justice Karmeier. Applicants' cover letter and completed form must be received in Justice Karmeier's office no later than Monday, August 17, 2009. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the position is filled through the November, 2010 general election. The appointment will terminate December 6, 2010. To be eligible for appointment, a person must be a resident of the Fourth Judicial Circuit at the time of the appointment. The Fourth Judicial Circuit is comprised of nine counties: Clinton, Marion, Clay, Jasper, Effingham, Fayette, Shelby, Christian and Montgomery.

State

• Casinos want Blago lawsuit sent to trial judge, Springfield State Journal-Register
• Illinois officials collect $1.4 billion in child support, Springfield State Journal-Register

Chicago area

• Stroger won't block move to decriminalize pot, Chicago Sun-Times
• Judge: Use DUI test despite blood destruction, Chicago Tribune
• U.S. indicts N. suburban developer in $8M fraud, Chicago Tribune
• Cook County to put traffic ticket system online, Chicago Tribune

Southern Illinois

• Coleman attorney to get Major Case Squad reports on slaying investigation, Belleville News-Democrat

Nation

• N.J.

[caption id="attachment_2603" align="alignright" width="300" caption="IBF Grants Committee Member Lori Levin of Chicago presents an $8,000 grant to Gail Smith, CLAIM's Executive Director."][/caption] The Illinois Bar Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce a $8,000 grant to Chicago Legal Advocacy to Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM), one of 32 grants awarded this year totaling $304,995. CLAIM provides legal and educational services to imprisoned mothers and their children's caregivers. CLAIM's On-Site Services provide intensive individual legal advice and representation to mothers in Dwight, Lincoln, Decatur and Kankakee Correctional Centers, Fox Valley Adult Transitional Center, the Metropolitan Correctional Center and in Cook County Jail. With early legal advice, provision of short-term guardianship forms and representation for court-ordered guardianship, mothers can forge sound plans for their children and in many cases can avoid foster care placement. In 2008, CLAIM represented 450 women, up 38 percent from 2007.