7th Circuit Court of Appeals Posts Notice of Adoption of Circuit Rule Modifications

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

On April 12, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit issued notice that it proposed modifications to Circuit Rules 31, 34, 40, 47, and 60. The court carefully considered the comments received and made an additional modification to Circuit Rule 34. The court hereby provides notice of adoption of the attached modifications, effective immediately.

LIVE WEB - Navigating Restrictions and Transparency Requirements of Foreign Investments in U.S. Land - Part 2

September 27, 2024
Presented by the ISBA International & Immigration Law Section
Co-Sponsored by the ISBA Agricultural Law Section and ISBA Real Estate Law Section

Live Webcast
Friday, September 27, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.

1.0 hour MCLE credit


Nearly 41 million acres of land is owned (in part or in full) by foreign entities …
with minimal federal regulation.

Join us for Part 2 as we continue our in-depth discussion on the federal and state rules regulating foreign ownership of U.S. land, including the reporting requirements of foreign investments in U.S. businesses and agriculture. Real estate lawyers, agricultural law attorneys, business advice and financial planning practitioners, and international/immigration counsel with intermediate practice experience who attend this online seminar will better understand:
  • The federal and state legislative and litigation updates you need to be aware of;
  • Illinois’ reporting requirements;
  • The Corporate Transparency Act reporting requirements for certain foreign entities;
  • How to navigate foreign ownership restrictions and title/escrow issues;
  • The pitfalls to avoid and practical takeaways to be aware of when conducting real estate transactions in Illinois and surrounding states;
  • The various hiccups that can arise, including types of restrictions, transaction hang ups, chain of title considerations, pre-approval requirements, and possible penalties; and
  • Much more.

Program Coordinator/Chat Moderator:
Angela Peters, Buffalo Grove Law Offices, Arlington Heights

Program Speaker:
Harrison Pittman , Director, National Agricultural Law Center (NALC), Arkansas
Jen Modjeska, Divisional Underwriting Counsel, First American Title Insurance Company, Washington

For best practices, before attending the program using ISBA's Zoom platform, please visit our Technical Support page.

Program Information

  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member - $35
      • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
    • Non-Member - $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Student Members - Free
    • Special pricing is available for Legal Service Attorneys.
  • If you cannot attend the live web event, a full refund is available, if you cancel your registration up to the start of the live web event on the program page in your “My CLE Account”. 
  • Please Note: MCLE credit is available to registrants only on the day of this live event – and you must attend the entire program to earn MCLE credit. All registrants will receive access to a recording of the event a few days after the program, but credit is NOT available for the recording.

LIVE - 6th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legal Legacy: Lessons for Today's Lawyers - Democracy, The Constitution, and Lincoln the Lawyer/President

September 6, 2024
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association

Springfield
Friday, September 6, 2024
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
212 N 6th Street, Springfield*
CLE Program: 8:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Optional Walking Tour: 4:30 -5:30 p.m.

6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 6.0** hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit
Special thanks to Hon. Ronald Spears for sponsoring this program
and giving us the opportunity to host this program at the
 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Don’t miss ISBA’s 6 th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we study Lincoln’s actions as a lawyer and President in facing threats to democracy in America and the United States Constitution. The program takes place in Springfield, which was the center of Lincoln’s law practice and three partnerships, and where Lincoln developed his understanding of the democratic process and his interpretation of the Constitution. It was the venue for many of Lincoln’s significant trials, including the “Peachy” Quinn Harrison murder trial. Join us for this in-depth look at how Lincoln’s view of the Constitution changed over time and evolved into the use of his Presidential
War Powers to advance the case of Union and emancipation. Additional topics include:
  • Lincoln’s representation in the high-profile “Peachy” Quinn Harrison murder trial. (Robert Hitt, a court stenographer at the time, recorded the trial and produced a trial transcript, which is now preserved at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum);
  • The 1908 Springfield Race Riot and how its violence and aftermath showed the nation that Lincoln’s struggle for freedom and equality for all citizens was far from a reality;
  • How the 1909 Centennial Celebration of Lincoln’s birth resulted in no minorities attending the festivities and how, at the same time in New York City, concerned citizens formed the NAACP to discuss and address racism and white supremacy in the U.S.;
  • The current ethical issues facing attorneys, including lawyer-client privilege, confidentiality concerns, and limits on lawyers and litigants’ speech during trials;
  • How future lawyers can research Lincoln’s legal career and cases;
  • What current and future lawyers can learn from Lincoln’s legal legacy; and
  • Much more.

Program Coordinators:
J. Steven Beckett, Steve Beckett Law Office LLC, Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

8:45 – 9:00 a.m. Welcome and Overview

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Lincoln’s Evolving Views on the Constitution as Lawyer and President
The program’s opening segment examines Lincoln’s loyalty to the rule of law and commitment to democracy and the rights enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, while at the same tine operating under a Constitution that protected slavery.
Prof. Brian Dirck, Anderson University, Indiana

10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Break (beverages provided)

10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Lincoln and the “Peachy” Quinn Harrison Murder Trial
In 1859, a former law clerk of Lincoln’s was murdered, but Lincoln defended the accused, who happened to be the grandson of Reverend Peter Cartwright (who had run against Lincoln for office twice) and the son of a prominent political supporter. Don’t miss this in-depth look at one of Lincoln’s most high profile trials.
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. 1908 Springfield Race Riot
This segment examines the events leading up to racial violence in Lincoln’s Hometown in August 1908, as well as its aftermath.
Kathryn Harris Former Division Manager of Library Services of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and Past-President of Abraham Lincoln Association

12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Lunch (on your own)

1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Contemporary Ethical Issues
Join us for a discussion on the ethical issues facing lawyers today, including lawyer-client confidences, confidentiality requirements, restrictions on speech by lawyers and clients during trial, and more.
Melissa A. Smart, Director of Education, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Looking for Lawyer Lincoln? How Future Lawyers Can Access Lincoln’s Legal Cases, Papers, and Career
John Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield

3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Break (refreshments provided)

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Lincoln’s Legacy as Lawyer/President
This panel presentation discusses what current and future generations of lawyers can learn from Abraham Lincoln as a lawyer and a President.
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears(ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Steve Beckett Law Office LLC, Urbana
Prof. Brian Dirck, Anderson University, Indiana
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington
John Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield

4:30 p.m. Optional Lincoln Walking Tour of Sites (No MCLE credit)
Join us after the program for an optional walking tour of the sites near the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The tour will be guided by John Lupton from the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission and will last approximately one hour, covering a distance of roughly 1.5 miles. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
John Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield

*PARKING: The Museum Garage, located at the corner of Madison and Sixth Street, is diagonally across the street from the north side of the Museum and one block north of the Library. It is open from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm. The Museum Garage has a parking kiosk system.
By registering for and attending this ISBA event or program I affirm that:
  • I will comply with all state and CDC guidance related to hand sanitation, social distancing, and use of face coverings as appropriate for my vaccination status;
  • If applicable, I will follow more stringent local or venue requirements regarding hand sanitation, distancing, vaccination, testing, and face coverings in place at the location, and at the time of, the meeting.
  • I will not attend the event or program if I have tested positive for COVID-19, am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. If at any time I begin to experience symptoms of COVID-19, or am in contact with someone experiencing symptoms, I will immediately leave the event or program;
  • I understand that there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place or gathering, and that recommended safety protocols continue to evolve. I agree to waive and release any and all claims I, or my guests, may have against the ISBA arising out of or connected in any way with exposure to Covid-19 (and its variants) at the event or program.
Program Information:
  • An additional $15 fee is charged for registrations on or after Monday, August 26, 2024
  • Please Note: MCLE credit is available to registrants only on the day of this live event – and you must attend the entire program to earn MCLE credit. All registrants will receive access to a recording of the event a few days after the program, but credit is NOT available for the recording.
  • From time to time at ISBA CLE events, the ISBA, it’s vendor partners, or others may take photographs or video of participants, attendees, and guests for use in their marketing or promotional materials or news publications. By registering for this event, you are consenting to the use of your, and your guests’, photograph, video-recorded likeness, and name without compensation. Any photographs or video taken will be the sole property of the ISBA or entity taking the photograph.

Special prosecutors ask IL Supreme Court to toss Smollett's 'last-ditch' try to overturn conviction

The team who secured the successful prosecution of actor Jussie Smollett on charges of lying to police about his 2019 alleged racist, anti-gay attack hoax have officially asked the Illinois Supreme Court to reject Smollett's likely final attempt to overturn that conviction.

From: 
Cook County Record

Lawyers for ex-Speaker Madigan ask judge to gut indictment in light of SCOTUS ruling

Armed with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that scaled back a key federal bribery statute, lawyers for ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan argued in a new filing Monday that 14 counts of the indictment are “fatally infirm” and should be dismissed, in part because there is no proof that the once-powerful Democratic leader agreed to use his official position for personal gain.

From: 
Chicago Tribune

This city has the highest billing rates for litigators in nation, survey shows

Litigators in the national’s capital outpaced all other litigators on billing rates in 2023, according to a recent survey from the National Association of Legal Fee Analysis.

From: 
ABA Journal

Chicago’s top watchdog pushed to probe police oversight agency's investigations, allegations of retaliation

A civilian oversight panel voted unanimously Monday to push Chicago’s independent watchdog to probe “the quality and integrity” of investigations led by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability and allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Quincy man sentenced to 18 years in prison in plea deal for September stabbing in Blessing Hospital parking lot

It started with a door ding. Dylan Test, 20, was sentenced to serve 18 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on Monday morning by Judge Tad Brenner in Adams County Circuit Court.

From: 
Muddy River News

Condo Officers and Directors Beware

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

 It is well known that disputes often arise between unit owners and their condominium association and that these disputes frequently lead to litigation. As John J. D’Attomo notes in his July Illinois Bar Journal article, “Condo Officers and Directors Beware,” Illinois law permits unit owners to assert claims against various potential defendants, including the condominium association and the board of the condominium association. Although often overlooked or misunderstood, D’Attomo shows how unit owners may also assert claims against the officers of the association in their individual capacity and board members in their individual capacity. A unit owner armed with this knowledge, D’Attomo suggests, may achieve significant legal and practical advantages in litigation.

ISBA Supports ABA Resolution to Recognize ERA as 28th Amendment of U.S. Constitution

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The Illinois State Bar Association's Women and the Law (WATL) Committee and the Human and Civil Rights Section Council presented a proposal to the Board of Governors seeking the ISBA's express support of the ABA Resolution recognizing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Board of Governors met during the ISBA Annual Meeting on June 6, 2024, and the Board voted to support the ABA Resolution.