Taxpayers beware: Illinois broadens its state and local real estate transfer taxesBy Stanley R. KaminskiState and Local Taxation, April 2004Effective June 1, 2004, the Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax has been expanded to include not only transfers of real property by deeds and beneficial interests in land trusts, but also: (a) the transfer of ground leases that provide for a term of 30 years or more; and (b) the indirect transfer of an interest in real property as reflected by the transfer of a controlling interest in a real estate entity.
Technology and the Law Seminar, March 12, 2004By Patricia M. FallonLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, May 2004The Federal Civil Practice committee co-sponsored the "Technology and the Law" Seminar in Chicago on March 12, 2004.
Technology and The Law seminar-March 12, 2004By Patricia M. FallonFederal Civil Practice, November 2004The Federal Civil Practice committee co-sponsored the "Technology and the Law" Seminar in Chicago on March 12, 2004.
Termination not wrongfulBy Thomas W. KeltyLocal Government Law, December 2004The city clerk of Mattoon, Illinois was terminated from his position by the newly elected mayor and incoming city council.
Terri’s Law: Lessons learned, hard lessons avoidedBy William L. CleaverElder Law, June 2004The tragic legal odyssey of Terri Schiavo continues. Ms. Schiavo is the 40-year-old woman in Florida who has been in a persistent vegetative state for 10 years.
Terry stops: the riddle of Fourth and Fifth Amendment jurisprudenceBy Patrick M. KinnallyGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, September 2004Benny Bogain has come to see you. Over the years, he has experienced a few problems with local law enforcement officers. A DUI, a battery charge, and most recently a minor ordinance violation for possessing a 12-pack in Lincoln Park.
To the editorsElder Law, June 2004While Paul A. Meints' article in the March 2004 Elder Law newsletter presents some interesting possible customizations of both the health care and property powers of attorney, the suggestions raised three issues in my mind.
Total Return technical amendmentsBy Lyman W. WelchTrusts and Estates, October 2004Technical amendments to the Illinois Total Return Trust Law became effective August 23, 2004 when HR 1080 became Public Act 930991.
The Tradition of Excellence AwardBy Michele M. JochnerGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, January 2004As we start a new calendar year (and also reach the half-way point of the bar year), I would like to take this opportunity to briefly update you with respect to some of the activities of the ISBA's General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section Council for the first six months of the 2003-2004 bar year.
Trends that will affect your practiceBy John T. PhippsAdministrative Law, September 2004General Practice Section Council member Matt Maloney raised some interesting issues at the last Section Council meeting about the trend that smaller counties are losing lawyers and the average age of the lawyers is rising because of the lack of young lawyers going to the smaller counties to practice.
Trusts for companion animalsBy Lin HansonGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, June 2004Pet animals are a very important part of the lives of many people. Companion animals significantly improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, such as "seeing eye" dogs for the visually impaired, and dogs used to "fetch" for physically challenged and chair-bound people.
Twenty questions about Public Act 93-0523: Recording closed session meetingsBy Stewart H. Diamond & Keri-Lyn J. KraftheferAdministrative Law, April 2004Public Act 93-0523, effective January 1, 2004, requires all Illinois units of local government, including fire protection districts and school districts, to audio or video record their closed sessions.
Twenty questions about Public Act 93-0523: Recording closed session meetingsBy Stewart H. Diamond & Keri-Lyn J. KraftheferLocal Government Law, January 2004Public Act 93-0523, effective January 1, 2004, requires all Illinois units of local government, including fire protection districts and school districts to audio or video record their closed sessions.
Twinning ProjectBy Lewis F. MatuszewichInternational and Immigration Law, April 2004In 1990 the Illinois State Bar Association entered into a "Twinning Agreement" with the National Bar Association of Poland and the Advocates Society of Chicago.
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement ActBy Rory WeilerFamily Law, June 2004Effective January 1, 2004, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)2 will supplant the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA) and become the law of the land in Illinois, as it already has become in approximately 30 other states.
Union decertification held not to trigger complete ERISA withdrawal liabilityBy William D. BrejchaEnergy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation, December 2004In Central States, Southeast and Southwest Area Pension Fund v. Schilli Corporation, Case No. 03-8880 (11/15/04), Judge John Darrah of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois rejected Central States' assertion that an employee vote to decertify a union created a complete ERISA withdrawal liability for their employer.
United States Supreme Court addresses scope of Foreign Sovereign Immunities ActBy Heather R. WlodekInternational and Immigration Law, January 2004The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), 28 U.S.C. §§ 1330, 1602-1611, provides the sole basis for obtaining jurisdiction over a foreign state in United States courts.
The United States Virgin Islands tax incentive ProgramsBy Donna F. HartlFederal Taxation, March 2004The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) offers incentives to certain qualified businesses. If a qualifying business is established in the U.S. Virgin Islands and hires a minimum number of local employees, it may be eligible for government tax incentives which will eliminate a large percentage of income taxes and local taxes for up to 10 years or more.
Unsportsmanlike conduct committed by the BCSBy Nicole HannaJanuary 2004The college football season thus far has been more exciting than in previous years. Dominant schools are being upset by traditionally weak schools, bridging the gap that was once so prevalent in college football, and thus making it seem as though all college football teams are standing on equal ground.
Upcoming electronic resources seminarBy Helen GunnarssonAdministrative Law, September 2004As this edition of the Administrative Law Section newsletter goes to press, we are putting together a CLE program that promises to be informative, helpful, and even fun.
Update by banking committeeBy Timothy J. HowardCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, September 2004Since our last meeting, we report the following matters relating to banking law.