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Activists demonstrate Monday at the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill as the justices consider a challenge to rulings that found punishing people for sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking amounts to unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment. – AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Ghost guns, outdoor sleeping bans reach U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to take up a Biden administration appeal over the regulation of difficult-to-trace ghost guns that had been struck down by lower courts.
By Mark Sherman
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Pritzker’s health insurance reforms clear House

Gov. J.B. Pritzker celebrated a partial legislative victory Thursday night when the House passed his initiative to end some practices health insurance companies use to control the amount and cost of health care services individual patients receive.
By Peter Hancock
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Boeing put under Senate scrutiny over safety culture

An engineer at Boeing said Wednesday that the aircraft company, in rushing to produce as many planes as possible, is taking manufacturing shortcuts that could lead to jetliners breaking apart.
By David Koenig
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Ruling eases way to sue for job bias in forced transfers

The Supreme Court on Wednesday made it easier for workers who are transferred from one job to another against their will to pursue job discrimination claims under federal civil rights law, even when they are not demoted or docked pay.
By Mark Sherman

Top feature

Judge Jeffrey Cummings draws wisdom from practice of law, music

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings of the Northern District of Illinois understands that most people involved in a legal dispute invest their emotions as well as their time and resources in the case.
By Patricia Manson

Suspend attorney over baseless lawsuits, ARDC board says

An attorney who filed frivolous lawsuits against the village of Tinley Park and one its attorneys after being denied employment should be suspended for six months, according to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission hearing board.
By Emma Oxnevad

Illinois ban on sex offenders’ phone contact with their children tossed

The restrictions the Illinois Department of Corrections imposes on telephone calls between sex offenders on mandatory supervised release and their minor children violate the offenders’ due process rights, a federal appeals court ruled.
By Patricia Manson

House votes for possible countrywide TikTok ban

The House passed legislation Saturday that would ban TikTok in the United States if the popular social media platform’s China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake within a year, but don’t expect the app to go away anytime soon.
By Mary Clare Jalonick and Haleluya Hadero

Appellate panel affirms $770,000 judgment against railroad

A freight railroad company must pay $770,000 to the estate of one of its former employees who allegedly developed cancer during the scope of his employment.
By Emma Oxnevad

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Judge offers guidance for avoiding federal ‘trap’ in med-mal case

Joining a decision from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that affirmed a judgment against two “unwary litigants” who were blindsided by “surprise hurdles” created by a combined operation of the Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act and the Federal Tort Claims Act, Circuit Judge Amul Thapar wrote separately “to explain how litigants can avoid these traps and preserve meritorious claims.”
By Steven P. Garmisa

Cotter’s Corner

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Opinions shed light on how justices view shadow docket

The shadow docket has grown at the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years, especially during President Donald J. Trump’s term. In a recent decision by the court, Labrador v. Poe, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh wrote concurrences, and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote a dissent. They address issues of emergency applications in some detail.
By Daniel A. Cotter

For the Defense

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Current proposal isn’t enough to stem mushrooming MDLs

Assigned a multidistrict litigation (MDL) that grew from a couple of dozen cases to nearly a thousand, and observing cases that were not properly investigated or attended to by counsel, a judge in the Middle District with Georgia expressed a famous frustration with a process that has only gotten worse in the eight years since.
By Patrick Eckler

Lawyers’ Forum

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A judge’s ethical imperative: Follow the law or face the JIB

“The law that applies to this case is stated in these instructions, and it is your duty to follow all of them.” So states Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction 1.01(2), which the judge reads to the jurors in every criminal case before the jury begins its deliberations. If we expect jurors to follow the law, we surely must expect judges to lead by example and do the same thing.
By David P. Sterba

Opening Statement

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‘Purpose’ brings family drama, politics to light

In the playbill for the Steppenwolf Theatre production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ world premiere of “Purpose,” artistic directors Audrey Francis and Glenn Davis announce that “since the beginning, family drama has been this company’s signature.”
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

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Goodman’s ‘Penelopiad’ makes myth beautifully contemporary

In 2005, celebrated author Margaret Atwood (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) responded to Canadian publisher Jamie Byng’s commission to solicit contemporary authors to rewrite ancient myths with “The Penelopiad.” The novella set forth her current interpretation of Homer’s classic “The Odyssey,” the tale in which Odysseus leaves his bride, Penelope, for 10 years to fight in the Trojan War.
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

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‘Mrs. Doubtfire,’ ‘Flyover Chicago’ offer entertainment for entire family

The late Robin Williams has always been one of my favorite actors and comedians. His brilliant career included many celebrated performances such as those in “Good Morning Vietnam” and “Dead Poets Society,” as well as Academy Award-winning in “Good Will Hunting.” Unfortunately, his career tragically came to an end when he committed suicide at 63.
By Julian J. Frazin

Sports Marketing Playbook

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As NFL protects lucrative Super Bowl IP, some businesses retort

By now, everyone knows that brands pay big bucks to air commercials during the Super Bowl. This year, advertisers shelled out roughly $7 million for a 30-second spot, for an estimated total of $650 million, according to estimates by the Sports Business Journal.
By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose

Opening Statement

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‘Just for Us’ brings back golden age of standup comedy

Back in the day, standup comedians used to be a dominant force in Chicago. There was Shelley Berman, Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce and Woody Allen. By coincidence, they were all Jewish, as were many of their female counterparts such as Joan Rivers, Elaine May and Totie Fields.
By Julian J. Frazin
All Contributors

Social Scene

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Pericles found guilty

Katerina Alexopoulos of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, from left, Patrick M. Collins of King & Spalding, Cook County Judge Megan E. Goldish (who offered victim testimony) and Tinos Diamantatos of Morgan Lewis successfully prosecuted the title character, played by retired Judge Paul Lillios, at the National Hellenic Museum’s “Trial of Pericles” last week at the Harris Theater. Photo by Elios Photography
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Justices visit NIU to ‘Ride the Circuit’

The Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in March as part of its “Ride the Circuit” event. John M. Fitzgerald of Tabet DiVito & Rothstein is shown presenting arguments in a case about attorney fees before justices including Elizabeth M. Rochford, left, and Lisa Holder White. The case is Andrew W. Levenfeld and Associates, Ltd., et al. v. Maureen V. O’Brien, et al., No. 129599. Photo courtesy of Northern Illinois University
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Cook County judges sworn in

Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans swore in associate judges Antara Nath Rivera, from left, Federico M. Rodriguez and Kenya A. Jenkins-Wright on Monday at the Daley Center. Judges selected them from a list of six finalists. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and other justices attended and gave remarks. Also, the Illinois Supreme Court announced 12 judges will join the Cook County Circuit Court ahead of the fall election. Grace Barbic/Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
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WBAI honors judges

The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois presented judges with the Mary Heftel Hooton Award at its Judicial Reception. Shown from left are Soobin Lee, Molly Condon Wells, Hon. Sanjay T. Tailor, Hon. Janet Adams Brosnahan (ret.), WBAI President Whitney K. Siehl, Hon. Maryam Ahmad, Hon. Mary M. Rowland, Joanne Flannery accepting the award on behalf of her late father, Hon. James P. Flannery, Jr., Caidi Mammas Vanderporten and Katie Twardak. Hon. Ann Claire Williams (ret.) was also honored. Photo courtesy of WBAI

Special Publications

JVR Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards 2023

JVR Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards 2023

The commemorative magazine for the 2023 Jury Verdict Reporter Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards is now available!

Over 350 were in attendance as thirty-four professionals from both sides of the trial bar received individual Trial Lawyer Excellence awards in one of fifteen 2023 categories.
Women in Law 2023

Women in Law 2023

The 4th class for Women in Law

Meet the exceptional women recognized in our 4th annual Women in Law awards.
40 Under Forty 2023

40 Under Forty 2023

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2023

Success at any age is impressive. But to achieve it at an early age is even more of a feat. Congratulations to 40 Under Forty honorees for 2023.

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Photo gallery with Top Stories

Activists demonstrate Monday at the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill as the justices consider a challenge to rulings that found punishing people for sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking amounts to unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment.
Apr
22
Mon

Ghost guns, outdoor sleeping bans reach U.S. Supreme Court
State Rep. Anna Moeller (right), D-Elgin, speaks on the House floor during debate on her bill to enact several reforms to the state’s insurance industry. The bill is an initiative of Gov. JB Pritzker, who is seated behind Moeller. The measure passed with bipartisan support.
Apr
19
Fri

Pritzker’s health insurance reforms clear House
Boeing quality engineer Sam Salehpour, from left, Ed Pierson, executive director of The Foundation for Aviation Safety and a former Boeing engineer; Joe Jacobsen, aerospace engineer and technical adviser to the Foundation for Aviation Safety; and Shawn Pruchnicki, professor of integrated systems engineering at The Ohio State University, are sworn in before a Senate committee Wednesday. AP Photo/Kevin Wolf
Apr
18
Thu

Boeing put under Senate scrutiny over safety culture
The Supreme Court unanimously revived a sex discrimination lawsuit Wednesday filed by a St. Louis police sergeant after she was forcibly transferred, making it easier for workers who are transferred from one job to another against their will to pursue job discrimination claims.
Apr
17
Wed

Ruling eases way to sue for job bias in forced transfers
Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas was back on the bench Tuesday after an unexplained one-day absence. He joined the other justices in questioning whether federal prosecutors went too far in bringing obstruction charges against hundreds of participants in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Apr
16
Tue

SCOTUS questions obstruction charges against Jan. 6 rioters, Trump
Lisa Blatt of Williams & Connolly LLP poses in front of the Supreme Court last week in Washington. Known for her humor, bluntness and informality, Blatt will argue her 50th case before the Supreme Court later this month, more than any other woman.AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Apr
15
Mon

‘Inimitable’ Lisa Blatt nears 50th high court argument