The Illinois Judges Foundation will honor retired Cook County Judge Harold W. Sullivan on Friday, Dec. 11, by presenting a $5,000 scholarship in his name to The John Marshall Law School. The presentation by Judge Jesse G. Reyes, IJF president, will take place at a noon luncheon conducted by the Illinois Judges Association during its annual convention with the Illinois State Bar Association Dec. 10-12 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel. The keynote speaker is Judge Ann Claire Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. Retired Appellate Justice Warren D. Wolfson, dean of the DePaul University College of Law, will receive a Lifetime Service Award. Presidential Service Awards will be presented to 19th Circuit Judge Raymond McKoski and retired Appellate Justice Mel Jiganti. The Sullivan Scholarship was established in 1999 as a means of providing financial assistance and advocating ethical values of the legal profession to new generations of Illinois law students. Sullivan, who was presiding judge of the 2nd Municipal District in Skokie for many years, is a founder of the judges association. Also at the joint luncheon, Richard L. Thies will receive The Founders Award, which recognizes a long term commitment by an individual, who is not a member of the judiciary, to creating and maintaining an independent judiciary. For more information, call the Illinois Judges Foundation office at (312) 554-2008 or contact Judge Reyes at (312) 603-7554.

[caption id="attachment_5589" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA 3rd Vice President John Thies (standing, fifth from right) and ISBA President John O'Brien (seated, center) meet with the Champaign County Bar Association Board of Governors on Tuesday night."][/caption] Illinois State  Bar Association President John O'Brien and ISBA 3rd Vice President John Thies attended a dinner with the Champaign County Bar Association Board of Governors on Tuesday night.

LINCOLN:  OUR ILLINOIS LAWYER - PRESIDENT

By Stuart Lefstein Justice Kilbride - Thank you so much for inviting me here today and for your kind introduction. Justice Lytton, Chief Judge O'Connor, Judge Vespa, Honorable Justices of the Appellate Court, Honorable Judges of the Circuit Court, President O'Brien of the Illinois State Bar Association, and most distinguished honorees - my soon to be fellow Illinois "attorneys and counselors at law" - a phrase that is inscribed on the licenses you will receive today -families of the honorees, friends and other guests: When Justice Kilbride asked me to say a few words on this occasion, I was delighted to say "yes."  As an old man, I enjoy being in the company of young lawyers.  I also don't say "no" to the Supreme Court, unless it's the correct answer to a question from the bench during oral argument. But the problem with accepting invitations like this is that when you are up here you have to say something!  What is there left to say to a group of young lawyers who have already sat through commencement speeches at high school, college and most recently, law school graduations?  In the few minutes I have, I doubt if I could be very helpful in telling you how to practice law or handle whatever other employment you might choose.  Also, and sadly, I lack a blueprint for what young lawyers need to do in order to successfully navigate these very difficult economic times. So I am departing today from the conventional words of wisdom that are usually imparted on occasions like this. Because you are about to be sworn in as Illinois lawyers, I thought it might be appropriate to briefly reflect on the most revered lawyer that ever practiced in our state - particularly this year - this year because February 12th marked his 200th birthday - so to borrow a line from his most famous speech, "It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this."  That speech, of course, was given at Gettysburg 146 years ago this month, and the small town Illinois prairie lawyer who gave it was, as we all know, President Abraham Lincoln.

[caption id="attachment_5339" align="alignright" width="300" caption="IBF Board President Vince Cornelius, State Sen. President John Cullerton and Awards Presenter Michael Monico"][/caption] More than 430 people attended the 11th Annual Gala to show their commitment to the Foundation and recognize the 2009 Recipient of the Distinguished Award for Excellence, Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton, on Oct. 16 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Thanks to everyone who supported the event, the IBF met or exceeded every goal for the 2009 Gala, netting more than $230,000. These important funds will be used to help support the Foundation and the many grantee organizations and individuals who receive financial assistance. Oh, What a Night! There was definitely a feeling of excitement in the air that evening. Guests at the sold-out event were given the opportunity to bid on 5 different Live Auction items, and more than 90 Silent Auction items, including a variety of vacation stays, jewelry, wine, artwork, sports memorabilia and sports and concert tickets. Some of the highlights of the Live Auction were a trip for two to the 2010 Masters Tournament Final Rounds, a trip for two to Barcelona, Spain, and a legal letter that was signed by Abraham Lincoln during his days with the firm of Logan & Lincoln. Open space was scarce in the crowded auction area but nobody seemed to mind as they enjoyed specialty martinis and champagne cocktails from the Martini Bar. Bidding was done on computerized terminals that allowed Gala volunteers to carry the terminals around the ballroom, updating the guests on their bids, which encouraged some very competitive bidding wars.  In addition to the two auctions, raffle tickets could be purchased for $100 each for the chance to win either a Trip for Two to San Francisco and Sonoma, CA, a 55" Samsung LCD TV, or $2,500 in cash. Surprisingly, one person was the lucky winner of two of the prizes after purchasing only two tickets; Brian Monico won the San Francisco trip and the $2,500, while Tom Else, an IBF Board member, was the lucky winner of the Samsung TV. While I admit that I may be biased, I believe that this was our best Gala in recent memory. - Vince Cornelius, IBF Board President. The evening's program was kicked off by Board Gala Chair and IBF Silver Fellow Shawn Kasserman of Corboy & Demetrio, who recognized and thanked the two Gala Co-Chairs, Barry Montgomery of Williams, Montgomery & John, and Lorna Propes of Propes and Kaveny, as well as the rest of the Committee members. Brief remarks from ISBA President John O'Brien and IBF Board President Vince Cornelius kept the program moving. Perry Browder of the Simmons Firm, Gala Vice Chair and an IBF Board Member, was introduced as the 2010 Board Gala Chair. After a four-course meal and the Award Presentation by Michael Monico of Monico, Pavich and Spevack to Senator Cullerton, who attended with his wife Pam and family, guests remained to dance to the music of the Ken Arlen Orchestra and find out which items they'd be taking home. All in all, a wonderful time was had by everyone present. Most importantly, with the assistance of these funds the Foundation will continue to move forward in its mission to serve the people of Illinois by ensuring meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity. Tonight is about the work we do and the efforts we make to ensure that justice is fair for everyone in Illinois. For each of you, I commend your work...I thank you for your charitable efforts and continued work throughout the year. Each dollar you contribute to the works of this Foundation is an investment in the goal to make the idea of freedom truly work. - Sen. John Cullerton during his award speech.

Please save the date for the 2010 Gala on Friday, October 15, 2010!