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Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kimberly D. Lewis is sworn in as president of the Illinois Judicial Council last week. – Photo courtesy of IJC

Kimberly Lewis sets agenda as new leader of Illinois Judicial Council

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kimberly D. Lewis, the new president of the Illinois Judicial Council, said she will prioritize continued community outreach and education under the theme “Fortifying Our Legacy.”
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State’s high court opens new interactive learning center

In 1946, the Illinois Supreme Court heard a case that would eventually become a landmark in American legal history.
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As SAFE-T Act goes live, hearings have been longer, more deliberative

In courtrooms around the state this week, judges conducted the first hearings under a new system that determines whether a defendant will be jailed while awaiting trial based on dangerousness and risk of fleeing prosecution, rather than their ability to post bail.
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Belief in change, plenty of espresso fuel Judge Mary Marubio in seismic bail shift

For Cook County Circuit Court Judge Mary C. Marubio, being at the forefront of the cultural shift around cash bail has been an exciting opportunity.

Beyond the Bench

Justice David Navarro talks running, role changes and Latinx representation

Justice David R. Navarro’s spacious office at the Michael A. Bilandic Building is chock-full of personal effects: framed degrees from the University of Chicago and University of Iowa, a stocked bookshelf and a poster of Superman with a skull for a head labeled “Super Muerto,” a nod to his Hispanic heritage.

$19.3M awarded to Illinois woman who alleged sex abuse as inmate

A federal jury in Illinois awarded $19.3 million to a woman who alleged she was regularly sexually assaulted by an employee while she was an inmate at the Logan Correctional Center in Logan County.

Alderman Gardiner can’t bar Facebook critics, must set policy fitting 1st Amendment

Chicago Alderman James Gardiner violated the First Amendment when he deleted critical comments from his official Facebook page and sometimes blocked the critics themselves, a federal judge held Monday.

Legal malpractice suit over opt-out notices revived

A law firm must face a suit claiming it fraudulently concealed legal deficiencies in mandated telemarketing notices published by a client.

Judge rules Donald Trump defrauded banks, insurers

A judge has ruled that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House.

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Judge erred in weighing factors for qui tam case

Reinstating a qui tam case against Care Alternatives Inc. that involved a hospice provider allegedly submitting false certifications to the federal government, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals explained that the district judge erred in giving “dispositive weight” to a single factor in what should have been a “holistic” three-factor analysis of materiality.

Cotter’s Corner

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Derailed BIPA suit settles in wake of call for damages trial

In 2022, a federal jury awarded $228 million to a class of truck drivers after finding that BNSF Railway Company had collected the drivers’ fingerprints without consent, in violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. The case was then remanded for damages. It now appears to be settled.

For the Defense

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Social media posts could cost millions in vacated verdicts

Social media is a boon and scourge at the same time, and that is nowhere more in evidence than in two recent circumstances in the Circuit Court of Cook County — one that has resulted in an order for a new trial, White v. Chicago Transit Authority, 19 L 2083, and one that may yet yield a second retrial after in-court conduct led to the first retrial in Kroft v. Viper Trans, Inc., 16 L 9466.

Employment Law

Title VII: Can medical care giver refuse to vaccinate a patient?

Plaintiff Sonja Petermann was a nurse for defendant Aspirus, Inc. until she was terminated in December 2021.

Sports Marketing Playbook

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Generative AI promises more innovation and legal headaches

Artificial intelligence applications have become part of the sports toolbox. But AI is quickly moving beyond learning to recognize data and patterns and on to using those data and patterns to create new content.

Opening Statement

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‘No Man’s Land’ gives nod to existentialism

“To attempt a faithful description of this play is a daunting task.” Thus began the first sentence of the program guide notes for Steppenwolf Theatre’s current production of Harold Pinter’s “No Man’s Land.” Directed by Les Waters, the show is playing through Aug. 20 on Steppenwolf’s downstairs main stage.

Sports Marketing Playbook

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PGA Tour’s deal with LIV Golf prompts federal investigations

A little over a year ago, the launch of the new Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf International Series roiled the world of men’s professional golf. LIV Golf offered players millions in prize money and, after some of the biggest names in golf joined the LIV Golf Invitational tournament series, the PGA Tour suspended those players indefinitely. Naturally, legal action followed.

Opening Statement

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‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ make spectacular family musicals

A few weeks ago, I wrote a glowing column praising the revitalized production of “The Who’s Tommy” at Goodman Theatre, playing through Aug. 6.

Opening Statement

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Studebaker Theater honors Black musician with ‘Personality’

Songwriter Peter Allen, collaborating with Carole Bayer Sager, once wrote a song called “Everything Old Is New Again.” That sentiment is still true today.

Social Scene

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WBAI celebrates women’s soccer

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois members and supporters pose with a trophy from the legendary U.S. win in the 1999 Women’s World Cup at the Chicago Red Stars’ World Cup Welcome Back soccer match. From left are WBAI board member Chandler Caswell, Hon. Antara Nath Rivera, Joe DiPasquale, WBAI President Whitney K. Siehl, Hon. James A. Shapiro, ISBA President-elect Sonni Choi Williams and Pareesa Farazandeh. Photo courtesy of WBAI
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Polish American Judges Association leaders sworn in

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans swore in leaders of the new Polish American Judges Association at the Polish National Museum earlier this week. From left are Evans and judges Ursula Walowski, Steven A. Kozicki, James P. Pieczonka, Daniel J. Kubasiak, Aurelia Pucinski, Joel Chupack, Jonathan Clark Green, Michele Gemskie, Diane Pezanoski and Pamela Stratigakis. PAJA’s new president, Presiding Judge Diann K. Marsalek, was sworn in afterward. Photo by James A. Shapiro
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RSHC holds day of service

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila held its annual Chicago Day of Service earlier this month at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, packing 8,400 pounds of potatoes for 7,000 meals. The food will be distributed throughout Chicago, where one in five households are experiencing food insecurity. Photo courtesy of RSHC
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Clifford accepts Joel Flaum Award

James Figliulo, left, of Smith Gambrell & Russell LLP, presents the Chicago Inn of Court Judge Joel Flaum Award to Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices, before a group of more than 100 members and guests Monday. Photo courtesy of Clifford Law Offices

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