[caption id="attachment_20068" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Jim Covington"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_20067" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Mark D. Hassakis"][/caption]
By Sarah Zavala, Special to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
It's like "poof" and all of a sudden a major legislative issue can appear out of nowhere.
"That's often how this stuff works," said James R. Covington III, director of legislative affairs for the Illinois State Bar Association.
And this past legislative session was no exception.
Legislation
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June 14, 2011 |
ISBA News
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June 3, 2011 |
ISBA News
The Illinois Public Defender Association has awarded Jim Covington, Illinois State Bar Association's Director of Legislative Affairs, its Award for Excellence "in recognition of and sincere appreciation for your outstanding efforts in the legislative arena in the fight to abolish the death penalty in Illinois and your tenacious and unwavering commitment to justice." On hand to present the award were (from left): Stephen Baker, Legislative liason for the Cook County Public Defender's Office, Covington and Jeff Howard, President of the Illinois Public Defender Association.1 comment (Most recent October 8, 2013)
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May 9, 2011 |
Practice News
Senate Bill 1746 (Trotter, D-Chicago; Currie, D-Chicago) creates the E-Business Plan to develop and maintain an automated case and statistics management system. The E-Business Plan will include e-filing, e-guilty, e-signatures, and trial court and probation data exchanges. It will be funded by a $10 fee assessed on all civil litigants and all defendants in all criminal, traffic, and municipal ordinance cases. In House Executive Committee.
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April 8, 2011 |
Practice News
U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) of west suburban Hinsdale will receive the American Bar Association’s Congressional Award on April 12 for her support of legislation to protect funds that help low-income families who need legal assistance. The legislation, H.R. 6398, requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to fully insure Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts. The interest generated from these accounts provides funding for civil legal services for people near or below the poverty line, including the working poor, low-income veterans and persons with disabilities. IOLTA is one of the largest funding sources for free legal services in the country, supporting legal aid offices and pro bono programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. “At some point, almost everyone needs access to sound legal advice, whether it’s to write a will, sign a contract, or navigate the justice system,” said Biggert, a former attorney who specialized in real estate, estate planning and probate law. “This is a simple way we can help ensure that low-income Americans have access to legal help when they need it most – without placing the burden on taxpayers. I appreciate the support of the ABA, and I’m pleased we were able to send this important legislation to the President’s desk.” “Protecting IOLTA is a zero-cost, common sense way to help struggling Illinois families — Rep. Biggert’s support was crucial,” said ABA President Stephen N. Zack. This bill was signed into law Dec. 29, 2010. Click here to view a photo gallery from the awards ceremony.
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March 23, 2011 |
Practice News
Illinois' eavesdropping laws are interesting to say the least. With the proliferation of cell phones and other portable electronics, every stop by a police officer now has the potential to make a citizen subject to a Class 1 felony. House Bill 2018, which died in committee, tried to make an exception for motorists who are stopped by law enforcement as part of their official duties. But that isn't the only eavesdropping trap for the unwary citizen. A downstate auto mechanic with no prior criminal record is awaiting a May trial in Robinson, Illinois, on four Class 1 felony counts. The mechanic allegedly violated Judge Kimbara Harrell's right to privacy as she conducted a public proceeding (ordinance violation) against the mechanic in open court that the mechanic allegedly recorded. (Court rules also prohibit recording; no idea why the mechanic was not cited for contempt of court. Read more about it here.) Nor is there any right for a middle-school or high school student to record any proceeding while visiting the General Assembly without violating the eavesdropping law. The General Assembly exempted itself from the Open Meetings Act in this regard. Interesting legislative determination of who is at risk under these laws and whose alleged right and expectation of privacy is to be protected.
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February 25, 2011 |
Practice News
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services has issued another set of regulations implementing the federal Deficit Reduction Act. These regs will be voted on by the Joint Committee of Administrative Rules in Springfield on April 12. These regs have a powerful impact on estate planning, older Americans, and their families. The regs and related information may be found here. Members of JCAR include these legislators.
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February 24, 2011 |
Practice News
Illinois State Bar Association President Mark D. Hassakis and Chicago Bar Association President Terri L. Mascherin have co-authored a letter urging U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk and two other members of the Illinois delegation to support keeping funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) at level funding for the 2011 fiscal year. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $70 million cut in LSC funding on Feb. 19. An earlier vote to cut all LSC funding failed. Click here to read the letter.
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February 14, 2011 |
Practice News
Senate Bill 1746 (Trotter, D-Chicago) repeals the Registered (Torrens) Title Act on Jan. 1, 2014. It may be found at this link.
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February 10, 2011 |
Practice News
Retired Cook County Judge Sheila M. Murphy has written a letter to the editor published by the Chicago Tribune urging Gov. Quinn to sign the death penalty ban. Read it here.
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February 5, 2011 |
Practice News
HJRCA 5 (Madigan, D-Chicago) any governmental entity that seeks to increase a pension benefit to receive a 3/5 super-majority vote of its legislative branch for that benefit to become effective. If the chief executive vetoes an increase in a pension benefit, then the body's legislative branch must have 2/3 votes to override that veto. Speaker Madigan's fact sheet in support of this amendment may be found here. A copy of the proposed amendment may be found here. This applies to the General Assembly, school boards, and any other unit of local government.
