Illinois Attorney Heather Fritsch, author of Basic Residential Real Estate: From Contract to Closing, outlines the basic components of a real estate deed.

A recent decision by the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, holds that redlining discrimination actions can apply to parties that purport to provide loan modification assistance.

Typically, redlining is the practice of offering loans to minority borrowers that include terms less desirable than those offered to similarly qualified white borrowers. In People v. Wildermuth, 2016 IL App (1st) 143592, the first district held that those who target minorities with false promises of providing a loan modification for a fee are considered mortgage lenders under the Illinois Human Rights Act ("the Act"). Find out more in the June Illinois Bar Journal.

Asked and Answered

By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

Q. I am a partner in a 12-attorney firm in Downers Grove, Ill. We have eight partners and four associates. We are managed by committee of the whole - all partners are involved in all decisions. We have been considering moving to an executive committee. How do we set it up?

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the assignment of Cook County Circuit Judge Mary L. Mikva to the Illinois Appellate Court for the First Judicial Circuit and the appointment of Chicago lawyer Clare J. Quish as an at-large Cook County Circuit Judge.

Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis recommended to the Court that Judge Mikva be assigned to fill the Appellate Court vacancy that was created by the April 15, 2016, death of Justice Laura Liu. Judge Mikva's assignment is effective on July 15, 2016, and until further order of the Supreme Court.

"I am honored to be given this challenging opportunity to serve on the Appellate Court," Judge Mikva said. "I hope to use it to help strengthen the public's faith that our legal system is fair, efficient, evenhanded, and compassionate."

The Illinois State Bar Association will present several awards recognizing individuals for their commitment and service to the profession and their communities on Saturday, June 18, at the organization’s 140th Annual Meeting at the Westin O’Hare in Rosemont. Award recipients are:

New Magic

Walt Disney World is spreading the magic this June with brand new attractions and experiences. On June 21, Epcot will take guests on an adventure to Arendelle on the new ride Frozen Ever After. The park will also welcome royal sisters Queen Elsa and Anna at a new meet-and-greet at the Norway pavilion. Disney's Hollywood Studios is offering a galactic event when the new nighttime experience Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular explodes into the sky beginning June 17. Mickey Mouse will bring his friends from The Princess and the Frog, Tangled and Frozen in the new musical Mickey's Royal Friendship faire on June 17. You can experience all of this and more on TicketsatWork.com when you save over $20 and get 2 days free at Walt Disney World!.

From New York to Vegas

No matter where you are this June you can experience some of the best shows in the country. In New York come experience Cirque du Soleil's latest production, Paramour. The show is set in the glamorous world of Golden Age Hollywood and tells the tale of a young poet who must choose between love and art. Right now you can save over 24% on Paramour tickets. Meanwhile in Las Vegas, take in the energetic and innovative show Blue Man Group at the Luxor and save more than $62 on tickets.

Deal of the Month: Save over $20 on Walt Disney World Tickets and Get 2 Days Free

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of May 2016, there were 856 referrals. ISBA helped people in need of legal services find lawyers in the following areas:

The Assembly meeting agenda has been posted at www.isba.org/leadership/assembly/minutes. This page is password protected and available only to ISBA members. The Assembly will next meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, at the 140th Annual Meeting at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont.

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers Juvenile justice (Senate Bill 2370), IMDMA cleanup (House Bill 3898), Cannabis civil penalties (Senate Bill 2228), Limited Liability Company Act (House Bill 4361), Income shares and child support (House Bill 3982), Land Trust Beneficiary Rights Act (House Bill 4697), Trust law (Senate Bill 2842), Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (House Bill 4648) and Personal guardian (House Bill 5924). More information on each bill is available below the video.

Juvenile justice. Senate Bill 2370 (Van Pelt, D-Chicago; Currie, D-Chicago) does three things. (1) Raises the age from 13 to 15 for requirement of a lawyer for children during custodial interrogation in a homicide or sex-offense case; (2) expands current custodial interrogation videotape requirements to apply in all felonies and misdemeanor sex-offense cases for children under the age of 18; and (3) sets out wording for Miranda warnings for all children under the age of 18. Passed both chambers.

Attorney Donald Ramsell discusses what you should know about Illinois Medical Marijuana, and the new DUI laws.