ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews bills in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. In this episode he covers FOIA (House Bill 2747), New filing fees (House Bill 2327), New filing fees (House Bill 2976), Recorder reviewing documents (House Bill 2832), Motor Vehicle Franchise Act (House Bill 2508) and Juvenile Court Act (House Bill 3172. More information on the bill is available below the video.FOIA. House Bill 2747 (Conroy, D-Villa Park) authorizes written FOIA requests to be submitted to a public body by electronic mail. Requires each public body to post an email address where requests for public records may be directed. Passed the House and in the Senate.New filing fees. House Bill 2327 (Riley, D-Chicago) authorizes county boards to require the clerk of the circuit court to charge and collect a court automation fee of up to $25 (instead of $15) and a document storage fee of up to $25 (instead of $15). Passed the House and in the Senate.New filing fees. House Bill 2976 (Lilly, D-Chicago) adds a general filing increase to all civil actions in Cook County by $5 if the county board authorizes. The proceeds of these are to be placed in the county general fund and used to finance the court system in the county. On third reading in the House.

A revamped proposal to modify the requirements for small-estate affidavits has been submitted to the Illinois General Assembly, and lawyers who helped draft the legislation are optimistic that this time they got it right."It seems that in practically every legislative session a bill is introduced to change the small-estate affidavit," said Dixon-based estate-planning attorney Gary R. Gehlbach. "In my opinion, those changes would have made it more difficult to use the affidavits…[because] the more detailed the law becomes, the more difficult it is to use the affidavit as a practical matter for avoiding the probate process."Read more in the April Illinois Bar Journal.

Asked and AnsweredBy John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMCQ. I am a sole owner of a 4 attorney law firm located in Washington, D.C. Our practice concentrates on estate planning and administration. We have 6 support staff members. I just turned 60 the first of the month and am beginning to think about what I will eventually do with the practice. None of the associate attorneys are interested in partnership or in purchasing the practice - they just want jobs - they are not interested in owning a law practice. When is the best time for me to sell my practice?A. You really have to give some thought to your timeline - how long do you want to work? Do you plan on pursuing another career? Have you put enough money away so you can simply retire without concern about the need to generate additional income?If you need revenue for an additional 10 years and if you enjoy what you are doing - then it will not be in your interest to sell the practice too early. Let's say you could sell your practice for one million dollars - this might equate to two years of earnings. If you worked another 10 years - you could have earned five million dollars.To a large extent owning a law firm is in essence a job where you work for a living where you have provided employment for yourself. It might be hard to find a job that pays as well as your firm. So if you need revenue for another 10 years and your enjoy your work - you should probably plan on working another 10 years. Build you timetable to sell your practice around your future work timeline. Things change - you may find that your associates change their mind or down the road you may end up with new hires that will have an interest in partnership.

Chief Circuit Judge John T. Elsner is pleased to announce two finalists have been slected for the Office of Associate Judge of the 18th Circuit Court. The finalists are seeking to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Robert G. Kleeman to Circuit Judge. From these names, the Circuit Judges will select two appointees by secret ballot.Sean M. McCumber, J.D., University of Illinois, College of Law, 1998; admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, 1998. Mr. McCumber currently serves as a partner with the law firm of Sullivan, Taylor & Gumina (2005-present).Jeffrey S. McKay, J.D.-Kent College of Law, Chicago, 1992; admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, 1993. Mr. McKay currently is an Associate with the law firm of Ekl, Williams and Provenzale (2001-present).