Justice Mary Jane Theis Announces New Members of Judicial Screening Committee

Posted on December 2, 2021 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis announced today the addition of new members to her Judicial Screening Committee. 

The screening committee was formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those persons who have applied for appointment to the Office of Judge of the Circuit Court for Cook County. The committee is currently reviewing candidates for vacancies created by the retirements of Judge Joan O’Brien and Judge Sharon Sullivan. Under the Illinois constitution, the vacancies will be filled by Supreme Court appointment. 

Supreme Court Rules Committee To Hold Special Public Hearing

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee will hold a special virtual public hearing via Zoom on February 2, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. to hear testimony on a proposal from the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee (IJEC) to introduce a new Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. 

The Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct proposal, Proposal 21-08, is based on the American Bar Association’s 2007 Model Code of Judicial Conduct and seeks to advance the IJEC’s mission of promoting the highest standards of ethical conduct by judges in Illinois. Thirty-seven states have previously adopted new Codes of Judicial Conduct based on the 2007 Model Code. 

Illinois Mental Health Task Force To Host Web Event on Dec. 7

Posted on November 30, 2021 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The prevalence of mental illness and co-occurring disorders is greatly impacting our nation, each of our states, and our communities, and has a disproportionate effect on our courts and justice system. As part of a National Initiative, the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators hosted a Midwest Regional Summit in October 2019 in Deadwood, South Dakota. Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke and Illinois State Court Administrator Marcia Meis assembled and led an Illinois delegation at the Summit. 

Acts of Microaggression

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

You’ve heard about “implicit bias” and “microagression.” What about “microinvalidations” and “microinsults”? The cover story for December’s Illinois Bar Journal wades into these sensitive terms based on interviews with Dana and Keith Cutler, cohosts of the television show, Couples Court With the Cutlers. 

U.S. Attorney’s Office Seeks Assistant U.S. Attorney - Central District

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The U.S. Attorney's Office Central District of Illinois is accepting applications for an Assistant United States Attorney opening in its Criminal Division to be located in Urbana, IL. 

Applicants must be a United States citizen or national; submit to a background investigation, credit and tax checks, and drug test; be registered for selective service, if applicable; have a J.D. Degree; have at least three years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience; and be active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).

U.S. Attorney’s Office Seeks Assistant U.S. Attorney - Southern District

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Illinois is accepting applications for an Assistant United States Attorney opening in its Criminal Division to be located in Benton, IL. 

Applicants must be United States citizens; submit to a background investigation, credit and tax checks, and drug test; be registered for selective service, if applicable; have a J.D. Degree; have at least one year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience; and be active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).