Section Newsletters

Articles From 2014

The distraction exception explained: Virginia Bruns v. the City of Centralia By Hon. Daniel T. Gillespie & Greg Conner Civil Practice and Procedure, October 2014 The Illinois Supreme Court clarified when the distraction exception applies to the open and obvious rule in slip and fall cases in Bruns v. City of Centralia.
District court finds truck drivers to be contractors not employees, and grants summary judgment to motor carrier in discrimination case By William D. Brejcha Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation, November 2014 A summary of the recent case of Silic v. BBS Trucking, Inc.
Diversity and inclusion goes beyond the walls of Exelon’s legal department By Anthony Gay Diversity Leadership Council, June 2014 Exelon’s legal department, and the company as a whole, operates in markets that are rich in diversity—of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, experience and thought.
Diversity in Kane County: A way it might arrive By Patrick M. Kinnally Diversity Leadership Council, June 2014 Author Patrick Kinnally shares his personal views on diversity.
Diversity Leadership Award By Sandra Blake Diversity Leadership Council, June 2014 Congratulations to the 2013 and 2014 winners!
Diversity Leadership Fellows Program Diversity Leadership Council, June 2014 The Diversity Leadership Fellows program is designed to identify promising attorneys of diverse backgrounds who are not currently members of the ISBA and acclimate them to the ISBA under the mentoring of established leaders within the various section councils and standing committees within the association.
Dividing CRSS/FERS, TSP and military retirements By Kelli E. Gordon Family Law, April 2014 Your soon-to-be-divorced client walks in and informs you that their spouse is in the military and they want a portion of their retirement. Now what?
Divorce Corp. movie underscores family court woes, collaborative law offers solution By Sandra Crawford Women and the Law, April 2014 Although unexplored in the film, for more than 20 years now the practice of collaborative law has offered a highly desirable alternative for couples seeking a “kinder, gentler” divorce.
Divorce Corp. movie underscores family court woes, collaborative law offers solution By Sandra Crawford Alternative Dispute Resolution, March 2014 Although unexplored in the film, for more than 20 years now the practice of collaborative law has offered a highly desirable alternative for couples seeking a “kinder, gentler” divorce.
Dodd-Frank provides incentives and enhanced protections for individuals to blow its new, shiny “whistle,” but Sarbanes-Oxley’s old whistleblower protections may have more luster in certain situations By Michael R. Karnuth Business and Securities Law, September 2014 Provided here is an explanation of (I) the DFA’s award and protection provisions, and how those provisions differ from SOX’s whistleblower provisions for considering which provisions to select and utilize; and (II) the procedures for submitting eligible information and seeking an award from the SEC under the DFA.
Does ‘Self-Serving’ Evidence Dictate Summary Judgment Defeat? (Ill. Northern District) By Paul B. Porvaznik Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, January 2014 Kuvedina LLC v. Pai is worth reading for many reasons, one being its discussion of Federal court ”abstention doctrine.”
Does your park provide enough notice to you of the intended users? By John Redlingshafer Local Government Law, October 2014 Do you have a park district as a client? How about a municipality or school district that allows the public to use its playground equipment? If the answer is “yes” to either of these questions, be sure you and your clients are aware of Bowman v. the Chicago Park District.
1 comment (Most recent October 9, 2014)
Domestic relations judges offer practical advice—Good for all litigation By Jewel N. Klein General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, August 2014 Judicial insights culled from the third annual Domestic Relations Roundtable, which was held in May of this year.
The Domestic Worker Bill of Rights By Peter LaSorsa Human and Civil Rights, June 2014 The proposed Illinois Domestic Worker Bill of Rights acknowledges that domestic workers are “employees” under the Illinois Human Rights Act.
Don Young v. Doncasters d/b/a MECO, Inc., 2014 IL App (4th) 130392WC By Matt Belcher Workers’ Compensation Law, July 2014 After a hearing, an Arbitrator at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission concluded that Mr. Young’s injury was not a compensable work accident. That decision was subsequently confirmed by the Commission with a dissent by Commissioner Tyrrell. The Appellate Court unanimously reversed the Commission and awarded benefits.
Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants: From enactment to enforcement, hurdles remain By Juanita B. Rodríguez Bench and Bar, April 2014 Nearly six months after the new law authorizing temporary driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants became effective, it is time to consider whether law enforcement agencies, specifically those dealing with traffic enforcement, have modified their practices.
Durable Power of Attorney holders and FBAR liability—What the heck! By Charles Rubin Trusts and Estates, May 2014 Having ‘signature authority’ over a foreign account is enough of an interest in the account to be required to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR).
1 comment (Most recent June 4, 2014)
The Earned Income Tax Credit: Do I qualify? Federal Taxation, March 2014 The Center for Economic Progress has provided a new pamphlet designed to answer frequently asked questions about issues that commonly occur for low-income taxpayers.
Editor’s column: Disturbing trends—We are once again facing a challenging legal market By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, April 2014 Editor John Phipps identifies some current trends that could adversely affect the practice of law. 
Editor’s column: ISBA Task Force to look at law schools and making “practice ready” new lawyers By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, August 2014 Editor John Phipps discusses the challenges new lawyers face and the ISBA's exciting plans to help them hit the ground running. 
Editor’s column: It’s in the cloud—Report from the ABA Tech Show 2014 By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2014 The editor shares his thoughts from the ABA Tech Show.
Editor’s column: Smart Phones—They really add to a lawyer’s life and productivity so don’t wait too long to upgrade from that old flip phone! By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2014 If you haven't already made the switch, Editor John Phipps explains why you should.
Editor’s comments By Lewis F. Matuszewich International and Immigration Law, December 2014 An introduction to the issue from Editor Lew Matuszewich.
Editor’s comments By Lewis F. Matuszewich International and Immigration Law, October 2014 An introduction to the issue from Editor Lew Matuszewich.
Editor’s comments By Lewis F. Matuszewich International and Immigration Law, September 2014 An introduction to the issue from Editor Lewis Matuszewich.
Editor’s comments By Lewis F. Matuszewich International and Immigration Law, August 2014 An introduction to the issue from Editor Lew Matuszewich.
Editor’s comments By Lewis F. Matuszewich International and Immigration Law, June 2014 An introduction to the issue from editor Lew Matuszewich.
Editor’s comments By Lewis F. Matuszewich International and Immigration Law, March 2014 An introduction to the issue from Editor Lew Matuszewich.
Editor’s comments By Lewis F. Matuszewich International and Immigration Law, January 2014 An introduction to the issue from Editor Lew Matuszewich.
Editor’s corner By Melissa Anne Maye Animal Law, November 2014 A message from Newsletter Editor Melissa Anne Maye.