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A Downers Grove police vehicle. A federal judge ruled the western suburb’s enforcement of its anti-panhandling ordinance violated the free-speech rights of two homeless men. – Flickr photo/inventorchris via CC-BY-NC 2.0

Downers Grove violated panhandlers’ rights

Downers Grove police violated the First Amendment rights of two men experiencing homelessness by repeatedly citing them for soliciting money from motorists, a federal judge ruled.
By Patricia Manson
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Menards can’t force in-person deposition

The dangers of gathering groups in one room during the COVID-19 pandemic outweigh any advantage that might stem from questioning a litigant in person, a federal judge held.
By Patricia Manson
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Challengers say lax candidacy requirements shouldn’t stick

SPRINGFIELD — With fewer than 100 days until the Nov. 3 election, a pair of ballot challenges argue candidate filing requirements relaxed by a court order shouldn’t be honored while that federal ruling awaits appeal.
By Timothy Eggert

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

Corrections Dept. delays draw rebuke from judge

A federal judge blasted the Illinois Department of Corrections for failing to cooperate in discovery in an inmate’s First Amendment lawsuit.
By Patricia Manson

While Douglas art at Capitol may go, ex-justice will stay on high court wall

SPRINGFIELD — The judicial portrait of Stephen A. Douglas will remain on display at the Illinois Supreme Court, even as lawmakers call for the removal of similar Douglas tributes across the street at the Statehouse.
By Timothy Eggert

No cruller fate: Donut shops not covered

A group of doughnut shop owners sought to recover from wage theft, but an appeals court found a hole in the business’ insurance coverage.
By Andrew Maloney

Panel upholds “act of God” defense verdict

Finding “ample” support for claims a driver suffered a seizure before a fatal collision, an appeals panel upheld a defense verdict in a wrongful-death case.
By Andrew Maloney

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Recusal not justified from article

Forced to join the state bar association in order to practice law when he moved to Wisconsin, Schuyler File sued in Milwaukee alleging the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s mandatory membership rule violated his First Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution. Assigned to Judge Lynn Adelman, the lawsuit was based on the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Janus v. American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, 138 S. Ct. 2448 (2018) (overruling Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, 431 U.S. 209 (1977)), which Adelman mentioned in his controversial critique of the high court — The Roberts Court’s Assault on Democracy, 14 Harvard Law & Policy Review 131 (2019).
By Steven P. Garmisa

Real Estate Law

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Mixed reaction to city’s recently passed eviction notice ordinance

Despite vehement objection by several aldermen, property owners’ organizations and developers, the City of Chicago passed what’s come to be known as “The Fair Notice Eviction Ordinance” on July 22 by a vote of 36-14.
By Michael S. Friman

Cotter’s Corner

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SCOTUS refuses Nevada church’s COVID-19 exemption request

The Supreme Court recently refused a Nevada church’s request for exemptions to the COVID-19 gathering restrictions. The right went apoplectic about Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the damn liberals again, demanding an updated list of Supreme Court automaton candidates, despite no vacancies existing.
By Daniel A. Cotter

Legal History

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July 30

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

Opening Statement

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Stumbling on a gem of a film from 1978

Recently two words have been increasingly creeping into our daily conversations, both of which describe an activity that has become most prevalent since the pandemic has confined many of us to our homes.
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

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The only play this weekend that comes with appellate briefs

William Shakespeare would have turned 456 years old this year were he still alive.
By Julian J. Frazin

Lex Sportiva

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Student-athlete COVID-19 waivers likely will face court challenges

In early March, the NCAA cancelled the remainder of all winter sports as well as all upcoming spring sports. Despite uncertainties as to whether fall sports would follow suit, the NCAA announced in June that the plan is to proceed with fall sports under the same formats and timelines.
By Timothy Liam Epstein

Opening Statement

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Online play ‘The Line’ spins a firsthand tale of pandemic

For the past five months we have lived through the chaos and turmoil created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Julian J. Frazin

Sports Marketing Playbook

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NASCAR bans Confederate flag, leagues, brands take own stands

In a year already packed with one shock after another for the sports world, NASCAR’s decision to ban the Confederate flag at its events is a welcome — if not surprising — turn of events.
By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose
All Contributors

Social Scene

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Judges with shovels

The Lawyers Lending a Hand Committee of the DuPage County Bar Association assembled volunteers to do landscaping work at the Ray Graham Association’s Hanson Center in Burr Ridge on July 22. The nonprofit serves people with disabilities. Pictured are three DuPage County judges, from left to right: Associate Judge Brian J. Diamond, Circuit Judge Monique N. O’Toole and Associate Judge Paul A. Marchese.
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NWSBA’s new officers

The Northwest Suburban Bar Association installed its new officers last month outside the Rolling Meadows Courthouse, then held a virtual cocktail party on Zoom the following week. Pictured left to right are the new NWSBA officers: President Gary A. Newland, partner at Newland & Newland LLP in Arlington Heights; First Vice President Mohammad “Moe” A. Ahmad, owner of Ahmad Law Firm LLC in Arlington Heights; Second Vice President Kenneth C. Apicella, partner at Drost Gilbert Andrew & Apicella LLC in Palatine; Treasurer Anthony F. Calzaretta, principal partner at Calzaretta Law P.C. in Arlington Heights; and Secretary Stephanie A. Garces Donat, owner of Garces Law LLC in Arlington Heights. Photo provided by the NWSBA
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Clifford gets AAJ lifetime honor

The American Association of Justice awarded Robert A. Clifford of Clifford Law Offices its 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award. Clifford has been a member of the national plaintiff’s lawyer organization for more than 40 years. The AAJ will formally present the award by videoconference during its virtual Pass The Gavel and Awards Ceremony on July 15.
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CLG virtual meeting

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke (bottom row, second left) swears in Jenner & Block LLP associate Kevin J. Murphy as president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild in a virtual meeting on May 20, making him the youngest leader in the organization’s history. Screenshot provided by the Catholic Lawyers Guild

Special Publications

Law Day 2020

Law Day 2020

Your Vote Our Democracy

Features on women before the U.S. Supreme Court, personal stories of gender bias, Illinois' legal bills and more.
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.
See all special publications

Career Center

Career Center Job Listings

Photo gallery with Top Stories

A Downers Grove police vehicle. A federal judge ruled the western suburb’s enforcement of its anti-panhandling ordinance violated the free-speech rights of two homeless men.
Aug
03
Mon

Downers Grove violated panhandlers’ rights
A Menards store in Ohio. The home-improvement retailer faces a personal-injury suit in Chicago federal court, where a judge ruled a deposition of the plaintiff can proceed remotely.
Jul
30
Thu

Menards can’t force in-person deposition
The Illinois Commerce Commission building in Springfield, located just down the street from the capitol.
Jul
30
Thu

State regulators grill ComEd execs over fraud admission
Businessman and third-party U.S. Senate candidate Willie Wilson faces a challenge to his candidacy, arguing a federal judge’s modified signature requirement and deadline extension still must survive appellate review.
Jul
30
Thu

Challengers say lax candidacy requirements shouldn’t stick
President Donald Trump speaks alongside Attorney General William Barr during a law enforcement briefing on the MS-13 gang in the Oval Office last month. Barr is scheduled to appear for the first time before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
Jul
27
Mon

Barr puts stamp on exec power as AG
Attorney Thomas G. DeVore smiles after a July 2 hearing at the Clay County Courthouse in Louisville, where he represents Rep. Darren Bailey in a suit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Now, DeVore is filing suits in additional Illinois counties hoping to have emergency declarations struck down.
Jul
24
Fri

Downstate attorney DeVore takes on Pritzker in six counties