Illinois Bar Journal

2008 Articles

2008 Spring Session Roundup

By Jim Covington
August
2008
Column
, Page 394
A summary of key legislation passed this spring by the Illinois General Assembly.

ADA grievance procedures clarified

May
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 236
The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities has amended Part 800 of the Illinois Administrative Code to clarify the procedure that complainants must follow when they file grievances with the Council regarding alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USC §12101 et seq). 4 Ill Adm Code 800.

Admission of detective’s testimony did not violate the Confrontation Clause

February
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 72
On November 30, 2007, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Cook County sentencing the defendant to 85 years for first degree murder and home invasion.

ADR and the Image of Lawyers

By Joseph G. Bisceglia
January
2008
Column
, Page 8
“Lawyer-peacemaker” is the right image for our profession.

Adult DUI offenders who transport minors - what is the law?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2008
LawPulse
, Page 66
A recent Journal article inspires a debate about whether the statute it discussed is still in effect and a call for the legislature to clear up the confusion.

Agency Energy Efficiency Act passed. PA 095-0559

July
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 340
The Illinois General Assembly has passed the Agency Energy Efficiency Act to address the energy use of state agencies. PA 095-0559.

Aggravated driving under the influence is a Class 2 felony

November
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 554
On September 8, 2008, the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Lake County finding the defendant guilty of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, and sentencing the defendant to three years in prison.

Alterations made to the laws governing Commercial Driver Training Schools

February
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 72
The Secretary of State made several amendments to Title 92, Transportation: Commercial Driver Training Schools. 92 Ill Adm Code 1060.

Amendments made to rules governing Illinois elevator safety

August
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 390
The Elevator Safety Review Board made several amendments to Title 41, Fire Protection, Part 1000, Illinois Elevator Safety Rules. 41 Ill Adm Code 1000. 

Amendments made to Teacher Certification Criteria and a new Master Principal Program

May
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 236
The State Board of Education added two new sections to 23 Ill Adm Code 25 and made changes to several sections. 23 Ill Adm Code 25. 

Amendments protect minors’ interests in confidentiality and rehabilitation. PA 095-0123

January
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 16
Sections 1-7 and 1-8 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, have been amended. 705 ILCS 405/1-7, 1-8. 

Animal Control act amended. PA 095-0550

May
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 236
Illinois lawmakers have amended the Animal Control Act. 510 ILCS 5/2.17c. 

Appellate Court: No Wrongful Death for Embryo Before It’s Implanted

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2008
LawPulse
, Page 548
 The Illinois Appellate court rules that the Wrongful Death Act does not permit suits on behalf of human embryos allegedly destroyed before being placed in the womb.

Are Civility and Zealous Advocacy Compatible?

By Hon. Ron Spears
May
2008
Column
, Page 260
Reason can change minds when rudeness won't.

Are e-mail disclaimers really necessary?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2008
LawPulse
, Page 66
They really are, some lawyers say. In fact, you should put them at the beginning, not the end, of your messages, other lawyers say.

Asked and Answered

December
2008
Column
, Page 635
How big should your jury be?

Asked and Answered

November
2008
Column
, Page 592
Can an adopted child inherit from a biological parent?

Asked and Answered

August
2008
Column
, Page 417
Changing your name on the master roll of attorneys.

Asked and Answered

July
2008
Column
, Page 369
Is a spouse entitled to corporate assets?

Asked and Answered

March
2008
Column
, Page 151
Should I do a bankruptcy search?

Asked and Answered

February
2008
Column
, Page 95
Judgments against joint tenancies.

Asked and Answered

January
2008
Column
, Page 49
Pushing the statute of limitations.

The Attorney-Client Privilege and the Common-Interest Doctrine

By James A. Hansen & Melinda S. Madison
April
2008
Article
, Page 204
Under the common-interest doctrine, an attorney's advice to an insurance-company client might not be privileged in a later dispute with the insured.

Authentication and Identification of E-Mail Evidence

By Hon. William J. Haddad
May
2008
Article
, Page 252
Learn how to use circumstantial evidence to show that e-mail really came from the purported sender.

Bacon-Saving Support Staff

By Karen Erger
October
2008
Column
, Page 536
Don't think your support staff can make or break you? Think again.

Bidder beware

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2008
LawPulse
, Page 438
Winning bidders at judicial foreclosure sales can ultimately lose if a subsequent buyer offers more and the lender withdraws its foreclosure motion before the judge confirms the sale, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled.

Biometric Information Privacy Act passed. PA 095-0994

December
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 612
On October 3, 2008, Governor Blagojevich signed into law Public Act 095-0994 "the Biometric Information Privacy Act," which regulates the manner in which biometric information can be collected and stored. 

“Borrowing” from legal forms - do you need permission?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2008
LawPulse
, Page 606
Lifting language from legal documents - everyone does it, right? But does it constitute copyright infringement?

Brief-Writing Tips for the Illinois Appellate Court

By Maria Pellegrino
August
2008
Article
, Page 412
An appellate law clerk offers pointers and an insider's view of common brief-writing errors.

The Broad Duty to Protect Patrons from Harm: Marshall v Burger King

By Courtney Dashiell Lorentz
October
2008
Article
, Page 524
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a restaurant owner has a duty to protect its patrons from an out-of-control car. So where does a premises owner's duty to the public end?