For the first time, the Circuit Court of Cook County will create a Restorative Justice Community Court that empowers victims and residents to play an active role in the rehabilitation of adult offenders who commit certain nonviolent crimes, under a pilot program Chief Cook County Circuit Judge Timothy C. Evans announced today. The “restorative justice” concept emphasizes the ways that crime harms relationships in the community and brings together the people most impacted by the crime to resolve it. Under the model, defendants take accountability for their actions and then work to repair the harm – for example, through restitution, community service, letters of apology, and peace circles.

Every litigator needs to be aware of the basic rules and procedures for appeals in Illinois Appellate Courts. Don’t miss this full-day seminar in Chicago on Friday, April 29, 2016 that offers an overview of all major aspects of the civil appeals process in the Illinois reviewing courts. Attorneys with basic practice experience in all substantive areas who have never participated (or only rarely participate) in appeals will benefit from this seminar and gain a better understanding of: the general requirements for creating a record for appellate review; the problems that can arise while making a record; when post-trial motions are required to preserve issues on appeal; how to respond to post-trial motions; how to decide if an appeal is the right choice; the ways that the appellate court clerk can help with the clarifying and procedural requirements of an appeal; the special considerations for interlocutory review; important points to consider regarding appellate motion practice; why the standard of review is important to your appeal; how to draft an effective and persuasive brief; how to present a successful oral argument; and much more

The ISBA co-sponsored the Future is Now: Legal Services 2.016 conference on April 6 at Chase Bank Auditorium in Chicago. The event was organized by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Speakers included ISBA Past President Tim Eaton (moderator), Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita Garman, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Executive Director Jayne Reardon, UpRight Law CEO Ed Scanlan, ARDC Deputy Administrator James Grogan, Center for Access to Justice and Technology Director Professor Ronald Staudt, ISBA President-Elect Vincent F.

Spring is for Cirque Celebrate the start of spring with a new Cirque production. Inspired by James Cameron's AVATAR, TORUK - the First Flight is a live experience that takes audiences thousands of years before the events in the film. TORUK is now playing nationwide and TicketsatWork.com is offering 30% savings on tickets! Meanwhile, you can head to Vegas this April and watch the visually stunning modern acrobatic spectacular Zarkana . When you do you'll get 2 tickets for just $99. Don't miss the show's grand finale on April 30! For more ways to enjoy a Cirque spring visit TicketsatWork.com.