2023 Articles

Up to $150,000 in COVID-19 grants available to new businesses

June
2023
Illinois Law Update
, Page 16
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) adopted amendments to the Part titled Back to Business Grant Program, adding the Startup Grants Program and the Reactivating Vacant and Mainstreet Places (REVAMP) programs to DCEO’s Back to Business grants.

Updated reporting procedures and rights recognized for subjects of alleged sexual harassment

November
2023
Illinois Law Update
, Page 18
The Executive Ethics Commission amended its Organization, Information, Rulemaking and Hearings procedures for complainants. Complainants are those who are the subjects of alleged sexual harassment.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Divided America

By Alfred M. Swanson Jr.
November
2023
Column
, Page 42
A legal scholar assesses the highest court’s role in shaping American society.

Verdict reached after jury discharged and reassembled is invalid

September
2023
Illinois Law Update
, Page 16
On June 13, 2023, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a personal injury verdict was invalid because the jury was dismissed after reaching an internally inconsistent verdict, reassembled, and then reached a second verdict that was legally inconsistent with the first.

Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act expanded to victims of gender violence and now applicable to employers with at least one employee

February
2023
Illinois Law Update
, Page 16
The Department of Labor amended the Part titled Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act. The amendment expands protection under the Part to victims of gender violence and is now applicable to all employers with at least one employee.

Violations under the Human Rights Act can constitute tortious conduct such that the Tortfeasor Contribution Act applies

August
2023
Illinois Law Update
, Page 14
On May 24, 2023, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) created the potential for liability in tort, as required by the Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act (“Contribution Act”), such that a tortfeasor could set off recovery against it by a portion of another tortfeasor’s settlement with the plaintiff.

Violence prevention community support teams established for trauma recovery from chronic exposure to firearm violence

January
2023
Illinois Law Update
, Page 14
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services adopted amendments to establish violence prevention community support teams to provide trauma recovery mental health services to children and adults who have experienced chronic exposure to firearm violence.

Voluntary correction program for eligible individuals in custody now long-term and holistic

September
2023
Illinois Law Update
, Page 16
The Department of Corrections adopted amendments to the Part now titled Impact Program. The Impact Program is no longer a short-term, military-style “boot camp,” but rather a longer-term, holistic program that utilizes counseling, team-building exercises, education, and work activities to emphasize self-control and self-esteem for eligible individuals in custody.

Wage contractors have a right to a prevailing wage

October
2023
Illinois Law Update
, Page 14
The Illinois General Assembly amended the Prevailing Wage Act. Any laborer, worker, or mechanic who is employed by a contractor, or by any lower tier subcontractor, and is paid for services in an amount less than the prevailing wage rate for work performed on a project, shall

Website Tools Clients Will Love

By Jeffrey R. Schoenberger
October
2023
Column
, Page 40
Clients can schedule their own appointments and submit all the information you need online, long before they even enter your office.

Welcome the Stranger

By Junaid "J" Afeef
November
2023
Article
, Page 36
Bar leaders must develop networking events that actively foster an atmosphere of inclusivity, belonging, and mutual respect.

What I Learned From Teaching Trial Advocacy

By Gino L. DiVito
November
2023
Article
, Page 28
Part Two of a five-part series. The essential elements of persuasion: What to do and how and why to do it.

What I Learned From Teaching Trial Advocacy: Opening Statements and Storytelling

By Gino L. DiVito
October
2023
Article
, Page 28
Part One of a five-part series.

What I Learned From Teaching Trial Advocacy: The Direct Examination

By Gino L. DiVito
December
2023
Article
, Page 28
Part Three of our five-part series, which focuses on tips and pointers for direct examination.

When a Frozen Egg or Pre-embryo Is Negligently Lost or Destroyed

By Whitney L. Barr
April
2023
Article
, Page 34
The intersection of assisted reproductive technologies and tort law.

When imprisonment enforces an indirect civil contempt order, release must be contingent upon compliance with the underlying order

September
2023
Illinois Law Update
, Page 16
On June 6, 2023, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that when imprisonment is ordered to enforce an indirect civil contempt order, the conditions of release must be contingent upon purging the contempt by compliance with the original order.

When Not To Bypass Passive Voice

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
May
2023
Column
, Page 44
The passive tense is not always an abomination.

When Something’s Not Right

By Ed Finkel
April
2023
Cover Story
, Page 20
Lawyers, consultants, and private investigators dig into employee harassment, fraud, and misconduct.

When You’re a Lonely Only

By Karen Erger
August
2023
Column
, Page 48
Being the only one doesn’t have to mean being a lonely one.
1 comment (Most recent August 14, 2023)

A Will and a Way to Discriminate?

By Christian Ketter
May
2023
Article
, Page 34
Are courts state actors when enforcing discriminatory trust provisions?

With Due Respect

By Pete Sherman
March
2023
LawPulse
, Page 16
Illinois Supreme Court creates committee to improve court services for people with disabilities.

Withdrawal of property tax assessment petition before the Property Tax Appeal Board creates a legal nullity; subsequent tax objection complaint filed in circuit court allowed

October
2023
Illinois Law Update
, Page 14
On July 14, 2023, the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a voluntary withdrawal of a property tax assessment appeal to the Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) renders the claim a legal nullity, and so subsequently filing a tax objection complaint with the circuit court is allowed.

Worthwhile Speedbumps

By Christopher DiPlacido
May
2023
Article
, Page 26
The road to electronic hearings and remote witnesses—Supreme Court Rules 45, 46, 101, 241, and 455.

Writing Matters

By Ed Finkel
November
2023
Cover Story
, Page 22
Lawyers and jurists on the art of writing well.

The Year of the SAFE-T Act

By Pete Sherman
January
2023
LawPulse
, Page 10
Most provisions of major criminal reform legislation took effect January 1.

Your Witness, Their Client?

By Charles Golaszewski
July
2023
Article
, Page 24
Per se conflicts of interest when an attorney represents the defendant and has connections to a prosecution witness.