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Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Naperville, speaks on the Illinois House floor Wednesday in Springfield. – Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki

Illinois House passes bill prohibiting book bans

The Illinois House passed a bill Wednesday that would prohibit libraries from banning books or other material because of partisan or doctrinal pressure, prompting strong opposition from Republicans who called it an assault on local control.
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Supreme Court chews on Jack Daniel’s dog toy dispute

A dispute between Jack Daniel’s and the makers of a squeaking dog toy that mimics the whiskey’s signature bottle gave the Supreme Court a lot to chew on Wednesday.
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Supreme Court rules for deaf student in education case

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday for a deaf student who sued his public school system for providing an inadequate education. The case is significant for other disabled students who allege they were failed by school officials.
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In Trump probe, NYC grand jury hearing from final witnesses

A grand jury was hearing from final witnesses Monday in the investigation into Donald Trump as law enforcement officials accelerated security preparations in advance of a possible indictment and as fellow Republicans staked out positions in a criminal probe expected to shake up the 2024 presidential race.

How I Did It

Chicago civil rights attorney pivots to launch Jamaican resort

Longtime civil rights attorney Dana L. Kurtz traded the courtroom for an ocean view when she left her practice in 2019 to launch a boutique hotel in Jamaica.

ARDC board advises suspending attorney who made false statements

An attorney who made false representations in a foreclosure matter should be suspended for two years, according to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission hearing board.

DePaul Law professors dissect ‘Succession’ with legal scholars

“Succession,” HBO’s critically acclaimed drama on the fight for power within a family-run media conglomerate, undoubtedly inspires discussion. Which of the Roy children will inherit the throne from their ailing father? And what’s really going on between fan favorites Tom and Greg?

Band royalties dispute does not belong in federal court, judge holds

The two plaintiffs in a lawsuit accusing the rock band The Ides of March of fraud and breach of contract colluded with each other to create diversity jurisdiction, a federal judge held.

House narrowly passes bill allowing all-gender bathrooms

The Illinois House narrowly passed a bill Thursday that would allow businesses, universities and other building owners to designate multi-occupancy all-gender bathrooms if they choose to do so.

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Ownership and risk considered in dog-bite case

Reversing summary judgment for the defendant in a dog-bite case under the Animal Control Act, the Illinois Appellate Court considered both of the approaches courts have taken when “analyzing whether a plaintiff has a relationship with either the animal’s legal owner or the animal itself so as to objectively exclude the plaintiff from the act’s protections.”

For the Defense

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Illinois Supreme Court sees enrolled bill doctrine at work

“Procedure is power.” That was what another lawyer recently told me, quoting the teachings of a civil procedure professor.

Tort Law

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Has pandemic become excuse for corporate safety lapses?

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Almost instantly, countries started to seal borders, sports leagues suspended seasons, “social distancing” became a norm and our world changed in almost every manner.

Mediation Memos

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Opening session can lay path to good mediation conclusion

The classic mediation format includes an opening or joint session. This is a time when all the parties meet one another and listen to the mediator give details about how the mediation is to proceed.

Opening Statement

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Broadway in Chicago has an exciting season ahead

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,” wrote legendary author Charles Dickens in the opening lines of “A Tale of Two Cities,” published in 1859.

Opening Statement

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The Oscars weren’t what they used to be

Did you happen to watch the 95th Academy Awards? If so, you were joined by more than 18 million others — myself included. On the other hand, if you missed it, you didn’t miss much. Both the program and many of the selections were disappointing.

Opening Statement

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‘Reasons: A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire’ rocks Chicago

It has often been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Opening Statement

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Are movie theaters a dying breed?

The good news is that President Joe Biden recently announced his plans to end COVID-19 emergency declarations in May — making the pandemic an endemic. The bad news is that Chicago is still feeling the aftermath of enforced quarantines, mandatory masks and isolation. It may feel it for several more years.

Sports Marketing Playbook

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Beer brand shakeup, new partnerships highlight Super Bowl LVII commercials

This year’s Super Bowl had everything that’s necessary to keep football fans watching — a see-sawing score, a quarterback playing on an injured ankle and a controversial holding call in the game’s final minutes.

Social Scene

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Women’s empowerment event returns

BatesCarey revived its event “Tea Talk: Women Empowering Women” last week for the first time since the pandemic began. Led by attorneys Abigail Rocap and Allyson Spacht, the firm hosted “Let’s Talk About Equality: Overcoming Obstacles to Women in Leadership.” Speakers included Julie Cutter, president of Women Helping Others; Mary Robinson, partner at Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, and Laura Zaroski, managing director of the Law Firms Group at Gallagher. Photo courtesy BatesCarey
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Wallach accepts Les Turner foundation award

Brian S. Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya, winners of the Harvey and Bonny Gaffen award, speak at the Hope Through Caring Gala benefiting the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Wallach is an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and former staffer for President Barack Obama who advocates for ALS treatments. Photo by Jean Lachat
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Attorney honored with memorial award

Hall Prangle & Schoonveld honored partner Amy Kane, who died in March 2022 after an illness, by creating a memorial award in her name. Shelley Doi-Taketa, a partner in the firm’s Salt Lake City office, was its first recipient. Shown at an event marking the occasion are Salt Lake City partner Tawni Anderson, from left, Chicago partner Eric Schoonveld, Doi-Taketa and Chicago partner Jennifer Ries-Buntain. Photo courtesy of Hall Prangle & Schoonveld
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CDEL honors volunteers

The Center for Disability & Elder Law celebrated its 2023 Winter Awards Benefit, “Light Up the Loop,” at Baker McKenzie in late February. Shown from left are award recipients Crofton Kelly, Addison Braendel and Stephen S. Phalen; CDEL Governing Board president Theresa Jaffe; Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, recipient of the Impact Award; benefit chair Andrew Lillis; honorees Shane Kelly and Lisa Kistler; CDEL executive director Caroline Manley and benefit vice chair Terri Ahrens. Photo courtesy of CDEL

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