The Illinois Supreme Court announced today that due to continuing public health concerns raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois in-person bar examination scheduled for September 9-10, 2020, has been canceled. In its place, the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar will offer a remote version of the exam on October 5-6, 2020, using questions prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. This exam will satisfy the requirements of Illinois Supreme Court Rules 701 and 704.
Illinois Supreme Court
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The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the amendment of Rule 7.3, which pertains to the solicitation of clients.
The Rule was amended to prohibit all client solicitations that "seek[] representation of the respondent in a case brought under any law providing for an ex parte protective order for personal protection when the solicitation is made prior to the respondent having been served with the order."
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Chief Justice Anne M. Burke and the Illinois Supreme Court announced today the approval of new Rule 139 regarding practice and procedure in eviction proceedings. The new rule requires an eviction complaint to include a copy of the written eviction notice or demand and, where applicable, the relevant portions of the lease. The new rule is effective immediately.
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The Illinois Supreme Court today amended Rules 11 and 131.
Rule 11 was amended to explicitly provide that "[a] self-represented litigant who has an e-mail address must also include the e-mail address on the appearance and on all pleadings filed in court to which documents and notices will be served in conformance with Rule 131(d)." Prior to the amendment, self-represented litigants were allowed, but not required, to provide e-mail addresses on appearances and pleadings. Rule 131 was simply updated to reflect the changes to Rule 11.
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The Illinois Supreme Court is urging ISBA members to participate in a pilot program utilizing volunteer pro bono attorneys to reduce the backlog of criminal appeals that are currently pending with the Office of the State Appellate Defender (OSAD) across the state.
In this six-month pilot program, pro bono attorneys will help reduce the backlog by substituting for OSAD in certain criminal appeals.
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Chief Justice Anne M. Burke and the Illinois Supreme Court announced today the amendment of Rule 711(g), which will temporarily expand the class of employers eligible to supervise new law school graduates to include private law firms and other for-profit entities.
The Illinois Supreme Court order temporarily amending Rule 711 to add paragraph (g) can be found here and the Application for Authorization to Perform Legal Services under Illinois Supreme Court Rules 711(g) is available here.
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The Illinois Judicial Conference (IJC) is pleased to announce the creation of a task force to address the ongoing challenges with resuming court operations through the next phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Court Operations During COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force) is charged with analyzing and making recommendations regarding the continuing challenges for the administration of justice resultant from the pandemic.
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The following is a statement from the Illinois Supreme Court:
The events of recent days and weeks have exposed frailties in our public institutions and brought to the forefront the disproportionate impact the application of certain laws, rules, policies and practices have had on the African American population, the Latinx community, and other people of color in Illinois and nationally.
1 comment (Most recent August 18, 2020) -
June 16, 2020 |
Practice News
Chief Justice Anne M. Burke and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Judge Cara LeFevour Smith as an At-Large Cook County Circuit Judge.
Judge LeFevour Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kathleen M. McGury on June 1, 2020. The appointment is effective July 1, and will conclude December 4, 2022, following the November 2022 general election.
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June 15, 2020 |
Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts have launched an application process for two grant initiatives to begin an expansion of the network of court personnel who assist self-represented litigants (SRLs). The application process for both grant initiatives will open on June 15, 2020 and run through July 15, 2020.