WHAT: Memorial service honoring the late Justice James D. Heiple
WHEN: 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021
WHERE: Supreme Court Courtroom, 200 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield and livestream
The Illinois Supreme Court will host a memorial service in honor of the late Justice James D. Heiple, who served on the Illinois Supreme Court from 1990 to 2000. A program will be available for download on the Court’s website a few days before the service.
On June 28, 2019, Gov. Pritzker signed into law an ambitious legislative plan that creates a unique opportunity for data-center owners to receive significant tax exemptions for the rehabilitation or construction of data centers located in Illinois. The legislation allows the state to issue tax exemptions and abatements related to qualifying data-center projects conditioned on: 1) entering into a project labor agreement; and 2) complying with the “responsible bidder” requirements of the Illinois Procurement Code. But are the state’s plans overly ambitious? To find answers, read James Connolly Jr. and Joseph P. Sweeney’s August Illinois Bar Journal article, “Illinois and the Data Center Game.”
In his August Illinois Bar Journal article, “Are Mindfulness & Meditation Relevant for Lawyers?”, retired attorney Jeffrey H. Bunn asks what exactly are mindfulness and meditation? How can they impact the daily practice of law? When and where do we meditate? How long do we need to meditate? And how often do we need to do it? His answers to these and other questions make the case that mindfulness and meditation can help attorneys better manage their thoughts and emotions in a variety of situations that lawyers encounter every day involving difficult clients; unpleasant work peers; contentious opposing counsel; or challenging judges, arbitrators, and mediators.
The Illinois Appellate Court, Third District, has adopted new rules of procedure which will become effective on September 1, 2021. The new rules will act to vacate all existing prior rules.
The new rules were circulated to the full court and they were approved by a unanimous vote of all seven Justices on August 2, 2021 The new rules are effective September 1, 2021, and the current rules and the new rules are both available on the court’s website.
Our panel of leading appellate attorneys reviews the three Illinois Supreme Court opinions handed down Thursday, July 29. In Beaman v. Freesmeyer, the Court found that the plaintiff presented sufficient evidence to create a genuine issue of material fact on the commence-and-continue element of his malicious prosecution claim. In Indeck Energy Services v. DePodesta, the Illinois Supreme Court defined what constitutes an injury in the context of claims for usurpation of a corporate opportunity, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. In People v. Dorsey, the Court rejected the defendant’s claim that his sentence violates the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution, finding that the claim was forfeited and barred by the doctrine of res judicata.
The Illinois Bar Journal’s August cover article collects best practices from experts on hiring and retaining good employees and addressing toxic elements in the workplace, such as bullying by colleagues and supervisors. Taking steps on both ends of the employee spectrum, your best performers will thank you, and most likely stay around a lot longer knowing you’re looking out for them. The article is based on several interviews with ISBA CLE program presenters addressing workplace management and culture.
The Illinois Supreme Court announced today amendments to Order M.R. 30370 concerning residential evictions. These amendments clarify the order on July 15, 2021, which announced the winding down of the eviction moratorium in Illinois.
The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Jonathan E. Hawley at Peoria, Illinois expires on February 28, 2022. The United States District Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new eight- year term.
Law firms are not immune from the controversies surrounding sexual misconduct in the workplace. Managing in the #MeToo environment has changed the dynamic of the employment relationship. In his July Illinois Bar Journal article, “At What Cost?” retired U.S. Equal Employee Opportunity Commission investigator William S. Hubbartt offers advice for preventing and responding to incidents of sexual harassment in the law office. Unfortunately, as Hubbartt explains, even though the spotlight of the #MeToo movement has faded from daily news and has been replaced by other issues, multiple stories continue to appear in the legal and mainstream media reporting allegations by law firm employees against employer law firms.
The Illinois Supreme Court announced today an amendment to Order M.R. 30370 concerning residential evictions. Timed to coincide with the resumption of eviction filings effective August 1, 2021, the amended Order provides for a one-month period in which the judiciary will focus on referring newly filed cases to State programs providing financial assistance to landlords and tenants.