Meet the New Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme CourtBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, (ret.)Bench and Bar, October 2022When Justice Mary Jane Theis becomes the chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, she has three main goals in mind.
An Interview With the Chief JusticeBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret.)Bench and Bar, November 2019Justice Anne Burke has set some very clear goals for her three-year term as Illinois’ 121st chief justice.
Justice Karmeier RetiresBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret.)Bench and Bar, November 2019A look at Justice Lloyd Karmeier's accomplishments.
The Longest Serving Illinois Judge RetiresBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, (ret.)Bench and Bar, August 2019Judge Matoesian entered judicial service on November 19, 1965, and served in Madison and Bond counties until his retirement—the longest tenure of any active judge in Illinois.
Meet Chief Judge Rebecca PallmeyerBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, (ret.)Bench and Bar, July 2019On July 1, Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer became the first woman to be chief judge in the 200-year history of the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Do corporations need an attorney in administrative review hearings?By Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret.)Bench and Bar, March 2017The Supreme Court, in Stone Street Partners, LLC, v. The City of Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings, specifically declined to decide whether a corporation must be represented at an administrative hearing by a licensed attorney.
The Supreme Court moves proactively on attorney malpractice insurance and liability issuesBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret.)Bench and Bar, February 2017In an amendment to Rule 756 that took effect January 25, 2017, the Supreme Court will, starting in 2018, require lawyers to answer questions about their professional liability insurance every other year at the time they renew their authorization to practice law.
An interview with Justice GarmanBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret).Bench and Bar, November 2016Now that her term as Chief Justice has ended, Justice Garman feels “very good at how the Illinois courts have moved forward” on her goals.
An interview with the Chief JusticeBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret).Bench and Bar, November 2016When he started practicing law 52 years ago, Lloyd Karmeier never imagined being an appellate court judge, let alone a Supreme Court Justice.
Criminal trials in BritainBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr.(Ret.)Bench and Bar, September 2016Retired Judge Alfred Swanson recently observed a courtroom in Oxford, England and reports on how the proceedings differ from our own in Illinois.
McHenry County Circuit Court moves away from paperBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret.)Bench and Bar, May 2016Judges in the 19th Circuit are beginning to move away from paper to a completely electronic docket management system.
The relation back doctrine trumps the medical malpractice statute of reposeBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret.)Bench and Bar, April 2016The question facing the First District was whether the medical malpractice statute of repose prohibited the relation back doctrine from allowing the plaintiff to add a wrongful death claim under the Wrongful Death Act to an existing lawsuit.
Jorge Ortiz – New Lake County Chief JudgeBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr., (Ret.)Bench and Bar, December 2015Judge Ortiz is passionate about being a judge and part of the judicial system.
Joseph Tybor, 1947-2015By Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr., (Ret.)Bench and Bar, December 2015Remembering Joe Tybor's contributions to the Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois judiciary in his 17 years as Director of Communications for the Court.
Judge Paul Biebel shaped criminal courtBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret.)Bench and Bar, July 2015Judge Paul P. Biebel, Jr. retired on July 6, 2015, after 19 years on the Circuit Court of Cook County. He spent 14 of those years as Presiding Judge of the Criminal Court.
Judge James Holderman retiresBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret.)Bench and Bar, May 2015Now, 30-years and one month after his swearing in, Judge Holderman is retiring as a Judge, but not retiring from the legal profession. He is joining one of the mediation and arbitration services where he hopes to continue helping people resolve their disputes.
Judicial candidates still cannot solicit campaign contributionsBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. (Ret.)Bench and Bar, May 2015The bottom line for judges and judicial candidates in Illinois remains: they may not personally solicit contributions to fund their campaigns. Rather, they must continue to rely upon committees to do the money begging for them.
Judicial pet peevesBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr.Bench and Bar, August 2014A compilation of frequently cited irritants.
Courts Commission removes Cook County JudgeBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr.Bench and Bar, June 2014On May 9, 2014, the Courts Commission issued a unanimous opinion that removed Judge Cynthia Brim from office.
Judge William Maddux retiresBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr.Bench and Bar, January 2014Judge William Maddux retired effective January 11, 2014, after 23 years as a Circuit Court Judge.
An interview with the Chief JusticeBy Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr.Bench and Bar, November 2013Learn more about Rita Garman, who became the 119th Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court on October 26, 2013.
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