X
Menu
COVID-19 Updates Court closures and announcements – with interactive map
prisoners-4-7-20,ph01
The front entrance of the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill. The governor this week changed rules for prison furloughs, hoping to reduce the spread of the contagious coronavirus between inmates and staff in the confined facilities. – AP Photo/Sun-Times Media, John Patsch

Pritzker signs executive order expanding prison furloughs

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is allowing some prisoners to be freed from Illinois prisons under expanded furlough rules.
By Andrew Maloney
voting-4-8-20,ph01

Voting rights disputes in virus era spark court battles

Wisconsin’s chaotic primary may just be the beginning. Both major parties are preparing for a monthslong, state-by-state legal fight over how citizens can safely cast their ballots should the coronavirus outbreak persist through November’s election.
By Nicholas Riccardi
MLB-4-6-20,ph01

Judge tosses fan lawsuit vs. MLB, teams

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by fantasy sports contestants who claimed they were damaged by sign stealing in Major League Baseball.
By Ronald Blum

Springfield Dispatch

Comptroller’s new top attorney spent time at various state posts

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza hired Debjani D. Desai earlier this month as her office’s general counsel.
By Sarah Mansur

Springfield Dispatch

With law courses complete, Deputy Gov. Mitchell looks ahead

Earning a J.D. was an early goal for Illinois Deputy Gov. Christian L. Mitchell, who completed law school last month.
By Sarah Mansur

Law Firm Leaders

Attorney blends chemistry, law into interesting career brew

Caryn C. Borg-Breen, co-founder of Green, Griffith, Borg-Breen LLP, didn’t see herself using her chemistry background to pursue a legal career.
By Sarah Mansur

Illinois Supreme Court expands trial delay order

The Illinois Supreme Court retroactively paused the statutory time restrictions for adult and juvenile criminal trials until further order, citing the health and safety interests of all court users “during these extraordinary circumstances.”
By Sarah Mansur

City remains defendant in ‘code of silence’ suit against cop

The city of Chicago must face a lawsuit alleging that a “code of silence” among members of the police force led an officer to believe he could sexually assault a minor without facing any consequences.
By Patricia Manson

Detainees sue Cook County sheriff for release

A federal judge has agreed to fast-track a lawsuit filed last week against Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart that calls for him to release or transfer detainees from the county jail to protect them against the spread of the novel coronavirus.
By Timothy Eggert

Fired professor’s lawsuit doesn’t make the grade

A tenured professor who was fired after being accused of research misconduct has not stated a case against the University of Illinois for violations of his due process rights, a federal judge held.
By Patricia Manson

Courts & Cases

All Courts & Cases
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
Be in the know. These must-read insider briefings will keep you
email envelope icon
informed of the latest legal developments in Chicago. Sign up today!

Contributors

Trial Notebook

TNB-04-08-20,ph01

Collateral source rule splits court

Disagreeing with two of her Illinois Appellate Court colleagues who concluded that the collateral source rule didn’t block a defendant from claiming a setoff for a $400,000 payment from a co-defendant’s insurance company, Justice Mary McDade dissented from the 3rd District’s decision that (a) Attorney Title Guaranty wasn’t a collateral source and (b) Süd Family Limited Partnership was entitled to a release of judgment under Section 12–183 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
By Steven P. Garmisa

Legal History

tdilh-4-8-20,ph01

April 8

See if you know what happened on this day in Legal History with Karen Conti.
By Karen Conti

For the Defense

Donald-Patrick-Eckler-Rule-23-unpublished-orders-4-8-20,ph01

Is it time to nix Supreme Court Rule 23?

Every practitioner has had this experience: the perfect case is found; it is on all fours factually; it was decided by the appellate district in which your case is pending; it comes out the right way; and then you see it: the dreaded “-U” at the end of the case number.
By Donald P. Eckler

Lawyers' Forum

Erica-Minchella-new normal-in-real-estate-4-8-20,ph01

What will be the new normal in real estate?

Having been a foreclosure defense and short sale attorney between 2008 and around 2014, I have been monitoring the economy as it pertains to the real estate market carefully.
By Erica Minchella

Opening Statement

frazin-4-3-20,ph01

With Broadway lights dimmed, remember legendary Herman

The devastating novel coronavirus continues to take its deadly toll, not only through increasing number of cases and fatalities and an impact on our economy but also the almost total shutdown of cultural, theatrical and entertainment communities.
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

frazin-3-27-20,ph01

A high school spin on Bard’s tragedy in ‘Teenage Dick’

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times:” the opening line of Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” is a reference to life in Paris circa 1859. But it can also refer to what some of us would recall from our days in high school.
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

frazin-3-20-20,ph01

Lookingglass Theatre has a hit in ‘Her Honor Jane Byrne’

We have all heard the expressions “it sounded like a good idea at the time” and “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

frazin-3-13-20,ph01

Constitution, women’s issues at forefront of Playhouse drama

With Sen. Elizabeth Warren bowing out of the presidential race that once had five major women candidates, Heidi Schreck’s autobiographical play, “What the Constitution Means to Me,” is more relevant than ever.
By Julian J. Frazin

Sports Marketing Playbook

Masters-Rose-Super-Bowl-marketing-3-10-20,ph01

Super Bowl ads focused more on substance, less on stunts

On Super Bowl Sunday this year, on-air advertisements focused more on comedic good humor and less on political and social issues than in past years.
By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose
All Contributors

Social Scene

PC1-4-7-20,ph01

Finding ways to help out from home

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard attorney Jennifer Cascio and her children use their social distancing time to go through their house and set aside items to donate to those in need. Cascio and her husband hope to take advantage of this time to teach their children about the importance of recognizing how fortunate they are and to give to those in need. Photo courtesy of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard
PC1-4-3-20,ph01

The new associate

K&L Gates LLP intellectual property lawyer Kathryn M. Starshak gets some company during the workday from her associate Wrigley. Share your own work-from-home adventures: editor@lawbulletinmedia.com. Photo provided by K&L Gates LLP
PC1-4-1-20,ph01

Erin Clifford talks stress management

Erin Clifford, partner at Clifford Law Offices, presented “Real Solutions to Attorney Wellness: Stress in the Legal Profession” before the First Municipal Advisory Committee’s March 4 meeting at the Daley Center. The program offered tips on managing stress and avoiding anxiety, fatigue and burnout. Photo provided by Clifford Law Offices
PC1-3-31-20,ph01

Work-from-home adventures

Corboy & Demetrio Partner Michelle M. Kohut and her family got a drive-by visit from the Lake Bluff Fire Department on March 26th for her daughter Evelyn’s fifth birthday. Michelle’s 6-year-old son, Charlie, is also pictured. The fire department is visiting area children who have birthdays during the statewide stay-at-home order. Document your own work-from-home adventures and send them our way: editor@lawbulletinmedia.com. Photo provided by Corboy & Demetrio P.C.

Special Publications

JVR Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards

JVR Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards

Celebrating 60 years

Over 300 trial attorneys and Illinois judges were in attendance last October as the Jury Verdict Reporter, a division of Law Bulletin Media, hosted its annual reception and awards for Trial Lawyer Excellence. Fifty-four professionals from both sides of the trial bar received individual Trial Lawyer Excellence awards in one of 17 categories. Please click through and enjoy this review of the Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards.
Women in Law - December 2019

Women in Law - December 2019

Chicago Lawyer applauds women in law

This special supplement from December lists some of the top women lawyers in the city.
40 Under Forty 2019

40 Under Forty 2019

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2019

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 2019.
See all special publications

Career Center

Career Center Job Listings

Photo gallery with Top Stories

The front entrance of the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill. The governor this week changed rules for prison furloughs, hoping to reduce the spread of the contagious coronavirus between inmates and staff in the confined facilities.
Apr
08
Wed

Pritzker signs executive order expanding prison furloughs
A Milwaukee Election Commission worker takes a break from processing absentee ballots in Wisconsin’s presidential primary election on Tuesday.
Apr
08
Wed

Voting rights disputes in virus era spark court battles
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred answers questions at a press conference during a February MLB owners meeting in Orlando, Fla.
Apr
06
Mon

Judge tosses fan lawsuit vs. MLB, teams
A federal judge in Chicago has dismissed the Southeastern Conference from a proposed class-action suit brought by former University of Florida athletes who allege the conference and the NCAA didn’t adequately protect them from brain injuries. The case was originally filed in Indianapolis, where the NCAA is based, but later moved to Chicago.
Apr
02
Thu

Ex-Florida footballers can proceed vs. NCAA, not conference
Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers remarks during a press briefing Tuesday. He announced his plans to extend the statewide stay-at-home order until April 30. BlueRoomStream screenshot
Mar
31
Tue

Pritzker to stretch stay-at-home order
Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as “Joe Exotic,” at his Oklahoma zoo in 2013. The former zookeeper was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in a murder-for-hire plot. Earlier this month, he filed a federal wrongful prosecution lawsuit seeking nearly $94 million in damages. He’s the subject of a hit Netflix documentary series.
Mar
31
Tue

‘Tiger King’ Joe Exotic files $94M lawsuit over prosecution