2008 Articles

DuPage County modifies local rule on adoptions By Sean McCumber September 2008 The changes to the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit court local rule regarding adoptions, while expansive, are simple and user-friendly.

Law Day 2008 By Michael W. Raridon May 2008 I do not remember there being a Law Day when I was a kid in the 60s.

Legislation-Passed bills By Steve Baker June 2008 The following are summaries of new legislation in Illinois affecting the practice of criminal law. As these are summaries only, the Public Act should be reviewed before reliance.

Legislation-Passed bills By Steve Baker May 2008 The following are summaries of new legislation in Illinois affecting the practice of criminal law. As these are summaries only, the Public Act itself should be reviewed before reliance.

Letter from the Chair By Michael G. Bergmann December 2008 Welcome to the second edition of the newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Child Law Section, which I hope you find to be informative.

Letter from the Chair By Michael G. Bergmann September 2008 Children are our future. It may be trite, but it is certainly true.

More parents for more children: The modernization of adoption By Joseph F. Emmerth January 2008 The Adoption Act directs the court to “liberally construe” its provisions; plain and simple, this means that the statute should apply to more cases and situations than it otherwise would if construed strictly.

A non-parent’s quandary: Guardianship under the Probate Act or custody under the IMDMA? By Zina Cruse December 2008 Today, more than ever, non-parents are finding themselves acting in loco parentis for the children of other family members.

The role of the GAL in family law cases By Susan M. Brazas May 2008 In recent years, many circuit courts have made increasing numbers of appointments of Guardians Ad Litem in custody and visitation matters.

The role of the Guardian ad Litem in litigation: Clearly unclear By Henry D. Kass, J.D. December 2008 In a recent edition of the Family Law Bulletin, Thomas Else wrote about the role of the Guardian ad Litem in domestic relations litigation and argued that the role is quite defined.

Student discipline hearings By Phil Milsk December 2008 The concept of the traditional family, typically a marital union between opposite-sex individuals and their children, is rapidly shifting.

Student discipline hearings By Phil Milsk September 2008 Boards of Education in Illinois have the authority to suspend or expel students for “gross disobedience or misconduct” pursuant to Section 10-22.6 of the Illinois School Code. 105 ILCS 5/10-22.6(a).

Taking adoption out of the closet and into the open By Sean McCumber January 2008 When I was younger, I remember many television shows and after-school dramas about the topic of adoption.

When a child is in foster care: From the parent’s perspective By Christina Schneider June 2008 Editor’s Note: Christina Schneider, Special Assistant General Counsel to DCFS, has been kind enough to provide a synopsis of the new guide for parents in the Abuse/Neglect system which will be available soon.