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Law Day 2024 Bar leaders, deans explore themes of leadership, values
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State Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, speaks at a news conference on a first floor Capitol stairwell to criticize Democrats’ proposed changes to state election laws. – Capitol News Illinois/Jerry Nowicki

Illinois House Democrats muscle through changes to ballot access

Supermajority Democrats in the Illinois House moved quickly Wednesday to push through a change to state election laws that partially limits ballot access and adds three nonbinding referendums to the 2024 general election ballot.
By Jerry Nowicki, Hannah Meisel and Peter Hancock
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Illinois poised to enforce law to end lending discrimination

In 1977, then-President Jimmy Carter signed into law the Community Reinvestment Act, a federal law that sought to wipe away the last vestiges of racial discrimination and redlining in America’s home mortgage industry.
By Peter Hancock
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Pritzkers donate Lincoln’s Civil War order to Illinois

The document in which Abraham Lincoln set the Union’s military response to the launch of the U.S. Civil War in motion is now among Illinois’ prized papers of the 16th president, thanks to a donation by the state’s governor and first lady.
By John O'Connor
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Philips will pay $1.1B to resolve US lawsuits over breathing machines

Medical device maker Philips said Monday it will pay $1.1 billion to settle hundreds of personal injury lawsuits in the U.S. over its defective sleep apnea machines, which have been subject to a massive global recall.
By Matthew Perrone

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

Judge won’t toss BIPA claim not disclosed in bankruptcy

A man whose list of assets in his bankruptcy case did not initially include his potential privacy claims against his former employer is not barred from pursuing those claims, a federal judge held.
By Patricia Manson

Woman prevails in seeking coverage of switched $140K diamond

A woman who alleged her husband swapped the diamond out of her $140,000 engagement ring is entitled to coverage under the innocent insured doctrine, an appellate panel ruled.
By Emma Oxnevad

Women outnumber men as early-career Illinois lawyers, ARDC says

Early-career women attorneys in Illinois outnumbered male attorneys with similar experience levels for the first time in 2023, according to data from the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
By Emma Oxnevad

Congress pushed to uphold airline customer refund rule

Consumer groups are pushing Congress to uphold automatic refunds for airline passengers whose flights are canceled or delayed for several hours.
By David Koenig

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Courts split on correct venue for subpoena battle

When a non-party located in New Hampshire challenged a subpoena duces tecum that called for production of documents in Las Vegas, the first hurdle was a venue question that has “befuddled attorneys and split courts.”
By Steven P. Garmisa

For the Defense

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CTA defeats ask for 9 figures in catastrophic injury case

Attention-grabbing headlines of so-called nuclear verdicts are everywhere. There is obvious benefit to the individual plaintiffs’ attorney who obtains such a verdict to publicize it. But there is also benefit to the plaintiffs’ bar as a whole as to the value of similar cases that can be used to extract hefty settlements from defendants.
By Patrick Eckler

Cotter’s Corner

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Does Constitution come into play in Oregon homelessness appeal?

Homelessness in many U.S. cities has become a major issue. In an Oregon city, the municipality addressed the issue by an ordinance that fined the homeless for using blankets, pillows or cardboard boxes for protection while sleeping within city limits. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments last week in the matter.
By Daniel A. Cotter

For the Defense

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Developments in med-mal law may signal change to health care

There is a great deal of attention paid to medical malpractice litigation and rightfully so because those cases are likely the most complex civil tort litigation with some of the highest stakes in terms of injury, emotion and damages.
By Patrick Eckler

Sports Marketing Playbook

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Roberto Clemente family battles Puerto Rico over license plates

Trademarks can provide a lucrative revenue stream for sports stars and generate significant income for their families long after the athletes’ deaths. Conflicts over trademark rights usually erupt between an athlete’s family and businesses seeking to capitalize on a player’s brand.
By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose

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
All Contributors

Social Scene

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New Cook Circuit judges sworn in

Ten of 12 new and existing judges of the Circuit Court of Cook County were sworn in Monday at the Bilandic Building in Chicago after their recent appointments ahead of the fall election. From left: John A. Fairman, Pablo F. deCastro, Nadine J. Wichern, Rivanda Doss Beal, Audrey V. Cosgrove, Michael M. Chvatal, Jeffrey G. Chrones, Griselda Vega Samuel, Lloyd James Brooks and James V. Murphy. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and justices Joy V. Cunningham, P. Scott Neville Jr. and Elizabeth M. Rochford also attended. Photo courtesy Illinois Courts
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Prejean speaks at Catholic Lawyers Guild event

Sister Helen Prejean, a nun and death penalty opponent whose story was depicted in “Dead Man Walking,” joined the Catholic Lawyers Guild this month for a community event. Prejean, center, is shown with attendees including Illinois Supreme Court Justices Elizabeth M. Rochford and Joy V. Cunningham, appellate justice Jesse G. Reyes and former Gov. Pat Quinn. Photo by Kaisa Roseth-Johnson
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ABOTA hosts Law Day event

The Illinois Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) hosted its annual Law Day luncheon this month at the Union League Club. ABOTA Illinois past president Timothy Tomasik of Tomasik Kotin Kasserman and president Jill Webb of the Law Offices of Jill M. Webb presented Cook County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Panarese with a plaque in recognition of his dedication to judicial independence. Panarese spoke on the topic of judicial security. Photo courtesy of ABOTA
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HLAI x WBAI celebrates Latino culture

The Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois hosted its HLAI x WBAI event celebrating Latina lawyers and artists at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Shown are event leaders and board members Lisa Velez, from left, Leilani Pino, Cindy Medina-Cervantes, WBAI president Whitney K. Siehl, HLAI president Dora Cornelio, Jocely Pacheco and Jennifer Crespo. The groups honored outgoing DePaul Law Dean Jennifer L. Rosato Perea, whose interim replacement was just named. 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.

Career Center

Career Center Job Listings

Photo gallery with Top Stories

State Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, speaks at a news conference on a first floor Capitol stairwell to criticize Democrats’ proposed changes to state election laws.
May
02
Thu

Illinois House Democrats muscle through changes to ballot access
Mario Treto Jr., secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, testifies before the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules in April about the final adoption of rules to implement the 2021 Illinois Community Reinvestment Act.
May
01
Wed

Illinois poised to enforce law to end lending discrimination
This photo provided by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum shows a document signed by President Lincoln in April 1861 ordering the blockade of southern United States ports after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter started the Civil War.
Apr
30
Tue

Pritzkers donate Lincoln’s Civil War order to Illinois
Medical device maker Philips will pay $1.1 billion to settle personal injury lawsuits in the U.S. over its defective sleep apnea machines. The announcement Monday is another step toward resolving one of the biggest medical device recalls in history, which has dragged on for nearly three years.
Apr
29
Mon

Philips will pay $1.1B to resolve US lawsuits over breathing machines
R. Kelly leaves the Daley Center after a hearing in his child support case May 8, 2019. A federal appeals court on Friday upheld the singer’s sex-crime conviction and 20-year sentence in his Chicago case.
Apr
26
Fri

7th Circuit rejects R. Kelly’s challenge to 20-year sentence
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the launch of a new “E-Notary” portal that allows Illinois residents who need a notary public to access those services online.
Apr
24
Wed

Illinoisans can now have documents notarized online