The Bar News

Illinois Lawyer Finder Makes Over 1,200 Referrals in June

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:22:05 +0000

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 June, 2026, the ISBA helped 1,231 people in need of legal services find lawyers.

This number does not include additional referrals made through the online Illinois Lawyer Finder service.

Want to be part of the ISBA Lawyer Finder Service? Call (800) 252-8908 and ask for the Legal Department, or visit www.illinoislawyerfinder.com

Potential clients should call (800) 922-8757.

Simmons Hanly Conroy and Partner Jayne Conroy Nationally Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2026

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:37:33 +0000

ALTON, Ill. — Simmons Hanly Conroy and partner Jayne Conroy are nationally ranked in “Product Liability: Plaintiffs” in the 2026 Chambers USA guide. This is the 11th consecutive year that Jayne Conroy has been nationally ranked, including being selected in Nationwide Band 1 for every year since 2020. This is the sixth straight year that Simmons Hanly Conroy has received a Nationwide Band 2 ranking.

Law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in bands from 1, the highest, to 6, based on editorial review, peer feedback, and client interviews. Chambers USA is a leading legal resource for business leaders seeking legal counsel. For more than two decades, the annual Chambers USA guide has highlighted the nation’s top lawyers and law firms so that buyers of legal services are equipped to make informed decisions when hiring legal counsel.

“We are very proud of our team’s national standing in Chambers, a resource widely considered to be unrivaled in depth and accuracy,” said Simmons Hanly Conroy Chairman John Simmons. “Jayne is a profound leader who has raised the bar in product liability practice. Her excellence in service, trial strategies, and commitment to justice drive us all to be the best we can be in our respective practices. We are thrilled she has again garnered this deserved recognition.”

Simmons Hanly Conroy is a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families. As Chambers highlights, Simmons Hanly Conroy “is recognized for its strength in asbestos mass tort disputes and handling of opioid-related issues. The firm counsels plaintiffs on state and federal mandates arising from areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and environmental protection. The team also is noted for its involvement in emissions multidistrict litigation.”

A partner at the national law firm, Jayne Conroy oversees practice areas in the Complex Litigation Department, and under her leadership, Simmons Hanly Conroy has become one of the country’s largest plaintiff law firms dedicated to helping those injured by corporate wrongdoing. As Chambers highlights, “Jayne Conroy is highly acclaimed for her presence across a broad range of cases, including opioid MDLs and medical device litigation.”

Conroy’s legal career spans more than four decades, during which she has represented clients exclusively in mass torts, class actions, product liability, environmental, pharmaceutical, and sexual abuse litigation. She serves or has served on dozens of court-appointed leadership committees in complex legal actions of national scope and consistently helped secure billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for thousands of individuals, families, and communities.

About Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP

Simmons Hanly Conroy is one of the nation’s largest mass tort law firms, dedicated to helping victims of mesothelioma and asbestos-related cancers. Other primary areas of litigation include prescription opioids, sexual abuse, pharmaceutical, consumer protection, environmental, and personal injury. The firm's attorneys have been appointed to leadership in numerous national multidistrict litigations, including prescription opioids, Vioxx, Yaz, Toyota unintended acceleration, BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, DePuy Pinnacle, Uber Rideshare sexual assault, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Norfolk Southern East Palestine train derailment, social media adolescent addiction, hair relaxer products injury, and the Volkswagen emission scandal. The firm also represents small and mid-size corporations, inventors and entrepreneurs in matters involving business litigation. Firm attorneys’ passion for improving the lives of asbestos victims and their families extends to the firm’s contributions to mesothelioma cancer research and ongoing support through initiatives including the firm’s annual Miles for Meso 5K race and fun run/walk. Firm offices are located in Alton, Illinois; Boston; Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; San Francisco; and St. Louis. Read more at www.simmonsfirm.com.

Illinois Court Leaders Selected to Present at National Court Leadership Conference

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:02:35 +0000

Three Illinois court leaders will present at the 2026 National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers (NAPCO) Annual Conference and Trial Court Leadership Academy, a national gathering focused on judicial leadership, innovation, and the future of court administration. The conference will take place August 16–19, 2026, in Wilmington, Delaware.

Illinois presenters include:

Scott Block, State Court Behavioral Health Administrator, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts
Hon. Michael W. Feetterer, Chief Judge of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit
James “Dan” Wallis, Trial Court Administrator for the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit and NAPCO Board Member

The Illinois team will present “Problem-Solving, Partnership and Community – Behavioral Health Dockets that Actually Coordinate Care” during a featured breakout session.

The session will explore how courts can move beyond traditional case processing to serve as conveners of coordinated community care for individuals with behavioral health needs. Drawing on Illinois’ collaborative court and behavioral health initiatives, presenters will discuss strategies for strengthening partnerships among courts, treatment providers, and justice system stakeholders while maintaining judicial ethics and public trust.

“Behavioral health challenges continue to intersect all case types,” Scott Block said. “This session highlights strategies to strengthen linkages between courts, behavioral health providers, and justice partners to improve individual and public outcomes.”

The NAPCO Annual Conference brings together judges, court administrators, and national judicial leaders from across the country to discuss emerging issues in court leadership, judicial independence, access to justice, technology, and innovation in the courts.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court at 217.208.3354 or jbrunner@illinoiscourts.gov.)

Congratulations to the Winner of the ISBA’s 2026 Facebook Contest

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:00:27 +0000

Congratulations to Matthew Koetters for winning a $100 gift card in the ISBA's 2026 Member Appreciation Month Facebook Contest!

As part of Member Appreciation Month, we asked members to like and comment on our Facebook Contest post, recalling a feel-good instance that validated their choice to become an attorney.

We then selected a winner at random.

Matthew Koetters said, "One of the moments that truly validated my choice to become an attorney came late in my public defender career. After twenty years in that office, I’d had plenty of feel‑good outcomes, but the one that stays with me happened on day four of a jury trial. My client took the stand, told his story, and the case was ultimately dismissed. The look of pure relief and joy on his face—and on his mother’s—was unforgettable. Moments like that remind me why the work matters and why I’ve always been proud to stand beside the people who need someone in their corner."

Congratulations to Matthew!

National Law Journal Ranks Simmons Hanly Conroy Among Nation’s Top Firms

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 21:06:23 +0000

ALTON, Ill. — Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP has been ranked among the 2026 NLJ 500, the National Law Journal’s annual survey of the 500 largest law firms by attorney headcount in the United States.

Founded in 1999 in Alton, Illinois, Simmons Hanly Conroy has built a national reputation for handling high-stakes, complex litigation and serving in leadership roles in some of the most consequential multidistrict litigation in the country.

Throughout its 27-year history, Simmons Hanly Conroy attorneys have secured more than $12 billion for individuals and families impacted by mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, environmental contamination, dangerous pharmaceuticals, corporate negligence, and personal injury, among other mass tort claims.

Simmons Hanly Conroy has more than 100 attorneys practicing across the country, with offices in Illinois, California, New York, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Florida. The firm is widely recognized for its pioneering asbestos and mesothelioma practice, as well as its expanding leadership in environmental, pharmaceutical, and consumer protection litigation.

The firm’s work has helped shape outcomes in cases involving mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, prescription opioids, toxic contamination, consumer fraud, and mass injury events affecting communities nationwide.

"Earning a place among the nation's largest firms reflects the dedication of our attorneys and staff to clients who need us most," said Laurence V. Nassif, managing partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. "We've grown by staying true to a single purpose — holding powerful corporations and institutions accountable for the harm they cause — and this recognition affirms that the way we serve individuals and families continues to resonate on a national scale."

In addition to its litigation work, Simmons Hanly Conroy continues to support mesothelioma research, patient advocacy initiatives, and community organizations through philanthropic efforts and programs such as the annual Miles for Meso 5K race and fun run/walk.

About Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP

Supreme Court Rules Committee to Hold Public Hearing on September 3

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:35:56 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee will hear comments on six proposals on Wednesday, September 3, 2026, at a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. at the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, 222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th Floor, in Chicago. All proposals must be approved by the Illinois Supreme Court before they can take effect.

The hearing will be livestreamed here.

The Supreme Court Rules Committee invites public comments on the proposals. Written comments should be submitted no later than Thursday, August 27, to RulesCommittee@illinoiscourts.gov or via mail to: Committee Secretary, Supreme Court Rules Committee, 222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601. All written comments submitted will also be published and accessible on the Supreme Court's website.

To be scheduled to testify at the public hearing, please register by sending an e-mail to the Rules Committee Secretary, as noted above, no later than Thursday, August 27.

More information is available at the Rules Committee Public Hearing page of the Supreme Court’s website here.

Larry R. Rogers, Jr., of Power Rogers, LLP serves as chair of the Rules Committee.

The following are the proposals which the Rules Committee seeks comment on:

Proposal 25-09, which would amend Supreme Court Rule 46 to require that the courts create and maintain a record of all protective order proceedings, either by stenographic means or by an electronic recording system, including any court date on which an order is issued, extended, modified, terminated, vacated, published or served regardless of whether the proceeding is consolidated into another matter.

Proposal 26-06, which would amend Rule 286 by clarifying small claim defendants’ appearance and answer requirements; removing mandatory trials on appearance dates; and clarifying informal hearing procedures; (2) amend Rule 277 to reflect current practice, including changing language to “Citation to Discover Assets”, clarifying rules for citation uses against debtors or third parties, and encouraging remote appearances; and (3) creating Rule 278 to govern judgment debtors’ post judgment statutory exemption claims.

Proposal 26-07, which would amend Supreme Court Rule 906 to require that attorneys complete specific hours of training in intimate partner domestic abuse prior to appointment as a Guardian Ad Litem in domestic relations and child custody cases.

Proposal 26-08, which would amend Supreme Court Rule 753 to allow parties to file a motion with the Review Board to correct material mistakes in Review Board Reports and allow the Review Board to file corrected Review Board Reports on its own motion.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court at 217.208.3354 or jbrunner@illinoiscourts.gov.)

Law Motions, Commercial Calendar, and Courtroom 1501/Arbitration-Best Practices

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:09:04 +0000

Law Motions, Commercial Calendar, and Courtroom 1501/Arbitration-Best Practices

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Courtroom 1501, Chicago

12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

1.50 hours MCLE credit

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical insight into the best practices that drive efficient, effective motion practice and case management across key areas of the Illinois court system. The program highlights strategies for navigating the Law Division Motion Section, emphasizes streamlined procedures and professional expectations within the Commercial Calendar, and clarifies the unique workflow and arbitration-focused processes of Courtroom 1501. Together, these sessions equip practitioners with a clearer understanding of courtroom operations, judicial preferences, and the techniques that support stronger advocacy and smoother litigation. Register here.

Illinois Supreme Court Announces Passing Score Requirement for NextGen Uniform Bar Examination

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:28:53 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court announced in December 2025 that Illinois will accept transferred scores from the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE), a new version of the bar examination, beginning in July 2026. In an order issued today, the Court announces that the passing score recognized by Illinois for the NextGen UBE shall be 620. This will be the minimum passing score for purposes of admission to the Illinois bar, including transferred scores accepted pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 704A.

The full order can be found here.

The Board of Admissions reviewed the research, standard-setting materials, concordance studies, and guidance provided by the National Conference of Bar Examiners regarding the NextGen UBE and submitted its recommendation to the Court. The Board of Admissions may propose further amendments to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules and the Board’s Rules of Procedure as necessary to implement this order and may revise its operation procedures, forms, and applicant instructions accordingly.

As previously announced, Illinois will first administer the NextGen UBE in February 2028, and until that time, will continue to administer the current version of the Uniform Bar Examination, known as the Legacy Uniform Bar Examination.

NextGen exams are administered over nine hours in a day and a half. It will test students on a range of legal principles including contract and constitutional law, civil procedure and criminal law, evidence, real property, torts, family law, and business associations. The exam focuses on skills used by lawyers such as identifying and analyzing legal issues, negotiation and dispute resolution, and legal research and writing, as well as advising and counseling clients.

The Illinois Supreme Court oversees the admission and regulation of attorneys in Illinois. The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar administers the bar exam and processes applications for admission to the practice of law.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court at 217.208.3354 or jbrunner@illinoiscourts.gov.)

The 16th Judicial Circuit Issues New Guidelines for Apprehensions and Public Demonstrations at Kane County Courthouses

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:20:57 +0000

June 30, 2026 – ST. CHARLES, IL — The 16th Judicial Circuit has issued two general orders that set forth expectations for conduct on courthouse premises and procedures for apprehensions at or near court facilities. General Order 25.06 (entered May 2, 2025) addresses procedures in the apprehension of individuals in Kane County courthouses; General Order 26.09 (entered June 25, 2026) establishes guidelines for court facility access, public demonstrations, and safety related to protest activities.

Together, these general orders are intended to balance protection of constitutional expression with the need to safeguard courthouse operations, preserve access for litigants, jurors, and the public, and maintain safety for court personnel and law enforcement. These orders clarify expectations for members of the public and law enforcement on courthouse property and provide procedures designed to protect constitutional rights while ensuring safety and uninterrupted court access.

Additional details and operative provisions are contained within General Orders 25.06 and 26.09, which accompany this release.

Getting the Job Done

Marybeth Stanziola — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:02:48 +0000

As the 150th president of the Illinois State Bar Association, Perry Browder, senior partner at Alton-based Simmons Hanly Conroy, envisions a robust agenda that will draw upon his impressive career as an attorney and bar leader. He’s previously served as president of the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and he’s spent more than three decades representing victims in asbestos-related mesothelioma cases, once obtaining a $250 million verdict for a retired steelworker. As he looks to his year ahead, he sees himself as an ISBA bridge builder, ambassador, and chief cheerleader for the ISBA and its members. Those who know him best say he’s already been doing this his whole career.

Read, "Getting the Job Done," in the July Illinois Bar Journal.

Quick Takes on Illinois Supreme Court Opinions Issued Thursday, June 25, 2026

Kelsey Jo Burge — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:42:03 +0000

Leading appellate attorneys review the two Illinois Supreme Court opinions handed down Thursday, June 25.

Anderson v. Smith, 2026 IL 131714

By Amelia Buragas, Illinois State University

In Anderson v. Smith, 2026 IL 131714, the Illinois Supreme Court resolved a split between the appellate courts regarding the proper legal standard to be applied by circuit courts when considering a motion to dispose of a lawsuit under the Citizen Participation Act. The Supreme Court also clarified the nature of those proceedings and the materials to be considered by the trial courts. However, as is explained in more detail below, the outcome of this case is limited to lawsuits filed before January 1, 2026.

The underlying case began in 2017 when the plaintiff and the defendant attended a press conference that preceded a public hearing on a measure to approve a large-scale hog farming operation. Plaintiff supported the measure and defendant opposed it. During an on-camera interview with another proponent of the measure, defendant stood behind the speaker holding a sign that said “farms, yes; factory farms, no.” The parties to the lawsuit then had an interaction, although the details of that interaction are disputed. Whatever occurred, defendant then asked a family member to call the police and told the responding officer that plaintiff pushed her. Plaintiff was arrested and charged with battery but was found not guilty after a bench trial. Shortly before the criminal trial, plaintiff filed a lawsuit against defendant for defamation in which he alleged that defendant falsely and publicly accused him of assault.

In the defamation case, defendant sought dismissal of the complaint under the Citizen Participation Act arguing that her acts were in furtherance of her right to participate in government and that plaintiff’s complaint was “clearly based on, related to, or in response to her opposition to the hog farming operation and her report of what she believed was a crime committed against her.” Defendant argued that plaintiff’s complaint was a meritless and retaliatory Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). Defendant filed both a 2-619 motion to dismiss and a motion for summary judgment under the Act, both of which were denied by the circuit court. However, the circuit court granted defendant’s petition for leave to appeal under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 306(a)(9). The appellate court then held that the trial court improperly applied the “meritless and retaliatory” standard as it was defined by Ryan v. Fox Television Stations, Inc., 2012 IL App (1st) 12005 and reversed and remanded. The appellate court also explained that if the plaintiff creates a genuine factual issue on the motion, the trial court must conduct an evidentiary hearing to resolve the disputed factual issues. The supreme court then granted plaintiff’s petition for leave to appeal.

The Illinois Supreme Court explained that the legislature enacted the Citizens Participation Act in 2007 to address a “disturbing increase” in the number of SLAPP lawsuits being used to deter individuals from exercising their political rights or to punish them for doing so. The Illinois Supreme Court previously discussed motions brought under the Act in Sandholm v. Kuecker, 2012 IL 111443 and Glorioso v. Sun-Times Media Holdings, LLC, 2024 IL 130137, which developed a three-part test for motions brought under the Act. Under what has become known as the post-Sandholm test, the moving party has the burden of establishing that 1) the movant’s acts were in furtherance of their rights to petition, speak, associate, or otherwise participate in government to obtain a favorable government action; and 2) that plaintiff’s claims are solely based on, related to, or in response to the movant’s exercise of those rights. If the movant meets their burden under the first two prongs, then the burden shifts to plaintiff to prove by clear and convincing evidence the third prong of the test: that the movant’s acts were not genuinely aimed at procuring favorable government action.

The parties both agreed that the first prong was satisfied in this case. For the second prong, however, the parties disagreed whether the second prong “required the defendants to show that the lawsuit was meritless, retaliatory, or both.” The Supreme Court noted that in Sandholm it had observed that “SLAPPs are, by definition, meritless.” The Court further observed that the First District had applied this principle to narrow the second-prong test to examine solely whether the suit was meritless and retaliatory. The Court went on to explain that the appellate courts had misinterpreted Sandholm as establishing a strict “meritless and retaliatory” test. The Court explained that when it used the terms “meritless” and “retaliatory” in Sandholm it used those terms “as adjectives to describe SLAPPs, rather than as elements that a movant must prove to establish that a lawsuit is a SLAPP.” The Court noted that this is consistent with the language of the Act, which does not contain any such requirements. The Supreme Court reiterated that the second prong of the post-Sandholm test simply requires that the defendant show the plaintiff’s claims are “solely based on, related to, or in response to the movant’s exercise of the rights to petition, speak, associate, or otherwise participate in government to obtain favorable government action.” The Court then explained that this requires a subjective inquiry into the plaintiff’s intent in bringing the lawsuit.

The Supreme Court also parted ways with the appellate court on whether the trial court should hold an evidentiary hearing. The Supreme Court observed that an evidentiary hearing would be contrary to the Act’s suspension of discovery and 90-day time frame for a trial court to rule on the motion. The Court explained that “if the legislature intended to allow an evidentiary hearing on the motion, it could have so specified,” noting that at least two other states have such language in their anti-SLAPP laws. The Supreme Court held instead that the trial court must determine plaintiff’s subjective intent in bringing the lawsuit from the pleadings and other supporting documents. The Court further explained that in determining the plaintiff’s subjective intent, the trial court can consider the timing of the complaint and whether the damages sought are disproportionate to the injury alleged. However, whether a complaint is meritless because it is frivolous or missing an essential element is not necessarily dispositive and that even a meritorious claim “may still be dismissed as a SLAPP,” if it is proven that it was brought solely to deter or punish the defendant.

The unanimous opinion was authored by Justice Rochford and is limited in its scope to cases filed prior to January 1, 2026. The Supreme Court noted that the legislature amended the Citizens Participation Act in 2025 and that those amendments were not applicable to this case because they had not yet gone into effect when the initial lawsuit was filed.

E.W. v. Board of Education of East St. Louis School District No. 189, 2026 IL 131757

By Amanda J. Hamilton, Akerman LLP

In a 4–3 decision filed June 25, 2026, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the Fifth District Appellate Court and affirmed the circuit court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the Board of Education of East St. Louis School District No. 189. Justice O’Brien delivered the judgment of the Court, joined by Chief Justice Neville and Justices Holder White and Tailor. Justice Cunningham dissented, joined by Justices Overstreet and Rochford. The Court held that section 29-4 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/29-4) does not require a school district to modify its regular bus routes or create separate routes to transport nonpublic schoolchildren to and from their schools.

Plaintiffs E.W. and A.M. are elementary school students who reside in East St. Louis and attend Bowman Catholic Elementary School, a nonpublic school. Their parents sued the District for declaratory and injunctive relief after the District informed Bowman Catholic Elementary School in August 2022 that it would no longer provide bus service to its students, citing a shortage of bus drivers. The District had previously transported Bowman students on its regular routes. The children lived more than 1.5 miles from Bowman, along a highway that composed one of the District’s regular bus routes.

The circuit court partially granted a temporary restraining order, requiring transportation only to the extent it could be provided on existing regular routes, and later entered summary judgment for the District, holding that section 29-4 did not require modification of regular routes to transport nonpublic students to and from their school. The Fifth District reversed, concluding that the statute required the District to treat qualifying nonpublic schoolchildren the same as public schoolchildren and to modify routes as needed.

The Supreme Court disagreed and held “that transportation provided by a local school district to nonpublic schoolchildren living at least 1½ miles from their place of learning under section 29-4 is limited to transportation at points along the District’s regular bus routes.” Construing the statute’s text, the Court emphasized the repeated use of the phrase “regular route” and concluded that the legislature identified pickup and drop-off locations for qualifying nonpublic schoolchildren as points along the district’s regular route nearest or most easily accessible to the child’s home and school. The Court rejected the appellate court’s interpretation of the word “extend” as requiring the District to lengthen or expand its routes, reading “extend” in context to mean “make available.” The Court also rejected plaintiffs’ reliance on the statute’s “on the same basis” language, explaining that phrase applies to nonpublic schoolchildren residing within 1.5 miles of their school, not those living more than 1.5 miles away. While acknowledging that a district may modify routes or operate separate routes if safer, more economical, and more efficient, the Court held that section 29-4 does not require it to do so.\

In dissent, Justice Cunningham argued that the majority’s reading rendered section 29-4 ineffective because no parent would place an elementary schoolchild on a bus that did not transport the child to the school attended. The dissent relied on the statute’s “to and from the school attended” language, statutory history, and the Court’s prior decision in Bakalis to conclude that the statute requires transportation to or near the nonpublic school. The dissent also cautioned that the majority’s construction altered the balance recognized in Bakalis and could raise constitutional concerns by denying parochial school students transportation on the same basis as public school students.

ISBA Offices to Close July 1

Marybeth Stanziola — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:01:31 +0000

The ISBA Springfield and Chicago offices will be closed for the holiday beginning Wednesday, July 1. They will reopen on Monday, July 6. During this time, members can expect the following:

E-Clips will not be delivered for the duration of this period
The Bar News will not be delivered on Thursday, July 2

All business and e-newsletter distribution will resume as usual on July 6, 2026.

On behalf of everyone at the ISBA, we wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Open Roles for Attorney at DCFS

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:40:48 +0000

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is accepting applications for one open attorney position.

Administrative Law Judge (Aurora, IL)

Title: Technical Advisor III – Administrative Law Judge

Work Location: 301 W Galena Blvd, Aurora, Illinois, 60506

Agency: Department of Children and Family Services

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $8,060/month; Full Salary Range $8,060 - $11,851/month

Closing Date/Time: 06/30/2026

Essential Functions

Serves as Administrative Law Judge
Guides the appeal through pre-hearing phases
Presides at formal administrative hearings convened throughout the state of Illinois
Prepares complete administrative records in cases appealed to the Circuit Court on administrative review in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
On a regular basis, reviews developments in the relevant law, both state and federal, and conducts legal research into more complex issues
Provides input to the Chief Administrative Law Judge in formulating and reviewing rules and procedures pertaining to the Administrative Hearings Unit
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

Requires graduation from a recognized law school
Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
Requires 2 years of professional experience in the practice of law

Illinois Supreme Court Hires First Title II ADA Compliance Attorney

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:37:23 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court and Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) today announced the hiring of Anna Hurst as the AOIC’s Title II ADA Compliance Attorney, a newly created position established to strengthen accessibility and ensure compliance with federal and state disability laws across the Illinois Judicial Branch.

As the first attorney dedicated exclusively to disability access across the judicial branch, Hurst will serve as legal counsel to the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) on matters relating to compliance with key accessibility legal frameworks including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Illinois Human Rights Act.

"I am honored to join the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts in this role and have the opportunity to engage in work that genuinely matters to me on a personal and professional level," Hurst said. "The courts play a vital role in ensuring fairness and justice for all, and meaningful access for people with disabilities is essential to that mission. I look forward to working with judges, court staff, and disability coordinators throughout Illinois to help strengthen accessibility across the judicial branch."

The position was created to provide dedicated legal expertise, training, and technical assistance to courts throughout Illinois as they work to ensure compliance with disability access requirements and expand access to justice for court users with disabilities. Hurst will establish an accessibility compliance program, provide legal advice, technical and operational resource development, training, and policy guidance to courts throughout Illinois and support statewide efforts to ensure equal access to court services for people with disabilities.

Prior to joining the AOIC, Hurst served as Director at Walmart, Inc., where she provided strategic direction and oversight for patient accessibility, technical systems development, policy and resource development, and other governance initiatives within the Health & Wellness Compliance space. She also acted as the organization's primary compliance subject matter expert on federal, state, and local healthcare accessibility laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Hurst earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. In addition to her civilian legal and compliance experience, Hurst serves as Trial Defense Counsel in the Army National Guard, where she provides legal representation to service members.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court at 217.208.3354 or jbrunner@illinoiscourts.gov.)

ISBA President’s Trip — Cruise Through Italy & Dalmatian Coast

Marybeth Stanziola — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:25:39 +0000

Please join us for the Illinois State Bar Association President's Trip to Italy & Dalmatian Coast aboard the Regent Seven Seas Grandeur from May 25 - June 2, 2027.

Sail out of Rome’s storied harbors to the iconic Italian ports of Naples and Sicily and cross into a coastline where medieval stone towns cling to cliffs, each stop more cinematic than the last. Enjoy sun-washed islands, turquoise coves, and fortress cities like Kotor, Montenegro and Dubrovnik, Croatia, with your fellow ISBA members. Your journey will reveal a mosaic of cultures, landscapes and centuries of history waiting to be explored. This eight-night Italy & Dalmatian Coast cruise features unlimited shore excursions, exquisite dining, unlimited access to spa facilities, and more. Aboard a ship as elegant as the destinations themselves, enjoy effortless sophistication as the Adriatic and Dalmatian Coast become your favorite destinations.

With all gratuities and taxes included, all you need to do is relax, explore, and revel in the changing coastal scenery each day.

Michelle and I look forward to a memorable 2027 President’s Trip—one filled with meaningful connections and cherished memories. Please make plans to join us for this special experience.

Registration is available on our travel agent's website.

Warm regards,
Perry J. Browder
2026-27 ISBA President

From Breaks to Benefits

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:23:58 +0000

As of Jan. 1, 2026, employers with more than five employees must provide reasonable, paid break time at the employee’s regular rate of pay to employees to express breast milk for up to one year following the birth of a child. But as Abby Sissel notes in her June Illinois Bar Journal article, "From Breaks to Benefits," the Illinois Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act does not define what constitutes a “reasonable” duration or frequency. Unlike other employment statutes that impose specific time limits or scheduling standards, the NMWA leaves determination open-ended. Sissel goes on to examine what's actually required of employees and nursing moms alike.

Read, "From Breaks to Benefits," in the June Illinois Bar Journal.

Fred Lane’s Trial Techniques Institute – Fall Semester 2026

Marybeth Stanziola — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:17:43 +0000

Fred Lane’s Trial Techniques Institute – Fall Semester 2026

Live Webcast

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – Tuesday, January 26, 2027

Each Tuesday: 5:15 – 6:45 p.m.

27.0 hours MCLE credit, including 27.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval)

Improve your trial skills in this “learn-by-doing” program that covers all phases of trial work from both a plaintiff/prosecutor and defendant’s viewpoint, in both civil and criminal cases. Through this course, you will learn and practice new trial techniques that are most effective and consistent with the Illinois Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Evidence. Each session is audio-video taped so you can see and hear the improvements in your voice, manner, and trial technique. The course has been proven to be of value whether your practice includes trying jury and non-jury cases, administrative hearings, arbitrations, or even mediations. Fall Semester topics include:

An overview of the principles of communication, argument and persuasion on behalf of the plaintiff/prosecutor and defendant.
Jury Selection
Making winning Opening Statements/Closing Arguments to the jury in various type of cases, such as:
Personal Injury Case (Motor vehicle malpractice, product liability, attractive nuisance, federal employers’ liability, wrongful death, suits against municipalities, dram shops, airline cases, etc.)
Contract Cases (Goods, wares and merchandise, breach of contract, real estate broker’s commission, and life insurance)
Special Actions (Will contests, assault and battery, slander, malicious prosecution, false arrest and imprisonment)

Jerome Galang Named Director of Illinois Judicial College

Timothy A. Slating — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:17:34 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) are pleased to announce the selection of Jerome Galang as the new Director of the Illinois Judicial College (College).

Galang brings more than a decade of distinguished state and federal experience in judicial education, curriculum development, and court administration. As Director, Galang will lead the College’s ongoing efforts to provide high-quality, accessible, and impactful professional education to judges and justice partners throughout Illinois. His first day will be August 10.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jerome back to the AOIC and to the Illinois Judicial College,” AOIC Director Marcia Meis said. “His proven leadership, deep understanding of adult education, and unwavering commitment to the College’s mission make him exceptionally well-suited to guide the next decade of innovation and service.”

Galang previously served eight years in the Judicial Education Division and Judicial College Division of the AOIC, rising to the positions of Assistant Director and Deputy Director. In these roles, he guided strategic planning, oversaw the development and delivery of statewide judicial education programs, supported the College Board of Trustees, and collaborated with committees and workgroups responsible for advancing the College’s mission.

“I am grateful and honored by the Illinois Supreme Court and Director Meis’ confidence in me to serve the Judicial Branch in this capacity,” Galang said. “As the College celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, I am excited to work closely with the College Board of Trustees, Standing Committees and Workgroups, AOIC staff, and our Judicial Branch partners in continuing a tradition of delivering transformative, multidisciplinary education. As the College looks towards the next 10 years and beyond, I look forward to seeking opportunities for innovation in programming and operations to enhance our work and advance the College’s charge of empowering the judiciary and justice partners with the professional competencies to effectively administer justice.”

Most recently, Galang served as Assistant Division Director at the Federal Judicial Center, overseeing education specialists responsible for developing and implementing competency-based learning for the federal probation and pretrial services system. His leadership included strategic planning, program oversight, and the integration of evidence-based practices and implementation-science principles to support lasting behavior change and organizational improvement across the federal courts.

Galang earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School and his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with Honors, from the University of Chicago.

The Illinois Judicial College, established in 2016, serves as the primary vehicle for the planning, development, and provision of all educational programs and training on behalf of the Supreme Court.

Illinois State Bar Association Elects Board Treasurer, Secretary for 2026-27 Fiscal Year

Celeste Antoinette Niemann — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:34:32 +0000

Ted M. Niemann, of Quincy, and Michael G. Bergmann, of Chicago, have been elected treasurer and secretary, respectively, of the Illinois State Bar Association. Their terms will last for one year until the Annual Meeting of 2027.

Niemann is a partner at Schmiedeskamp Robertson Neu & Mitchell LLP, where he concentrates on real estate, business and commercial transactions, banking and corporate matters, estate planning and administration, and agricultural law. He is currently serving his first term on the ISBA Board of Governors (Area VI).

Bergmann is the Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), where he provides strategic oversight and direction to guide PILI’s mission of engaging, inspiring, and empowering those advancing equal access to justice. He is currently serving his second term on the ISBA Board of Governors (Cook County).

Niemann (’83) and Bergmann (’02) both earned their Juris Doctor degrees from DePaul University College of Law.

Edward John “Ed” Schoenbaum (1943-2026)

Timothy A. Slating — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:00:45 +0000

Edward John Schoenbaum, 83 was called home to be with the Lord on June 10, 2026.

A proud Cleveland native and Browns season ticket holder, Ed called Springfield home for over 50 years. He would enthusiastically encourage and facilitate attendance to any and all Lincoln sites. He was a regular at the old YMCA and may have exercised his jaw as much or more than his body. Ed was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, an 8 am balcony regular, then Saturday night service, and more recently watched churches online.

While his educational pursuits and career path took many different directions, the measure of his life was not found in titles and achievements. His family will remember him most for his loving nature, kind spirit, and genuine care he showed for others.

Always effusive with love and appreciation, Ed was grateful husband to Sarah for 58 years, dear dad to Carrie (David) Wilcox; Anne (Matt) Wilcox; generous and proud papa to Caroline and Katherine Wilcox. Loving brother, brother-in-law, uncle and cousin. He was a supportive father-in-law and loved to share that his daughters married brothers. His family feels privileged to walk beside him and rejoices that he now rests in the arms of the Savior, free from pain and sorrow, rejoicing in the presence of the Almighty.

Ed’s wishes were honored by his final gift to Brain and Alzheimer’s research. Services will be private with burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, SIU Foundation, 409 West Calhoun Ave, PO Box 19666, Springfield, IL 62794 or Trinity Lutheran Church Music Designated Fund, 220 S. 2nd St., Springfield, IL 62701

Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.

Arrangements are in the care of Bisch Funeral Home West. 217-544-5424