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Illinois courts plan a flexible future

Illinois courts plan a flexible future

The COVID-19 pandemic arrived as a cataclysmic shock to the court system, demanding quick decisions to adapt to fast-changing circumstances. What came as a surprise was how positive and potentially lasting some of those changes could become.

By Grace Barbic

Kent professor examines the Constitution’s evolving role

Kent professor examines the Constitution’s evolving role

Carolyn Shapiro knows the Constitution. As co-director of Chicago-Kent College of Law’s Institute on the Supreme Court of the United States, her areas of academic study include the high court and its role in a society governed by this founding document.

By Emma Oxnevad

Podcasts delve into Supreme Court and its decisions

Podcasts delve into Supreme Court and its decisions

The Supreme Court of the United States has long been a mysterious operation. Despite being the top and final court in the third branch of our government, the Court has operated in relative obscurity for most of its existence. But a number of podcasts focused on the U.S. Constitution and the Court provide a new avenue for analysis and conversation about its doings.

By Pat Eckler and Dan Cotter

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Law Day Letters

Democracy depends on confidence in law and lawyers

In 1973, the Illinois legislature established Southern Illinois University School of Law to serve the public good. Nearly 50 years later, we are steadfastly committed to our mission to transform our students into the lawyers and community leaders of tomorrow, empowered with the knowledge and skills to improve their communities.

By Camille Davidson

Ideals drive changes in justice system

The COVID-19 global pandemic presented a novel coronavirus with prevention and treatment methods then yet unknown. The Illinois Supreme Court’s response — pursuant to its administrative and supervisory authority over all courts in the state accorded by the Illinois Constitution — was to immediately lead a transformational effort, starting in March 2020, to mitigate the impact on access to justice for all Illinoisans.

By Marcia M. Meis

Staying connected is mission critical

Simply put, it has been another extraordinary year. We know the practice of law has been forever changed. The legal profession continues to innovate and improve how and where we practice law, as well as how lawyers and the public interface with the judiciary.

By E. Lynn Grayson

Law Day ★ 2022

Sights set on progress

Welcome to Law Bulletin Media’s celebration of Law Day 2022, based on the theme “Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change.”
By Andrea Hanis
Times of change drive leadership

While we often think of leaders as driving change, it is usually change that is the catalyst for leadership. Consider how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the workplace and the ways we interact with one another. These changes have been the most profound catalyst for leadership that I’ve experienced in my 30 years as a lawyer and business executive.
By Peter Mierzwa
Broadening the reach of justice

On behalf of the Illinois Supreme Court, my colleagues and I extend to you our best wishes for Law Day 2022 as we reflect on the idea of “Building a More Perfect Practice of Law in Illinois.”
By Anne M. Burke
Ingenuity allowed court to adapt

The coronavirus pandemic created immense challenges for the Circuit Court of Cook County. The court had to balance how to keep the public, judges, and court personnel safe from a lethal virus, while continuing to provide justice.
By Timothy C. Evans
Judges, lawyers can be change agents

I have been a judge for many years, and the Chief Judge of our court since 2019. A title like this one is humbling. We have done our best here in the federal court to respond to current challenges. The court offered a pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic, provides COVID tests to members of the public in the courthouse lobby, and conducts naturalization ceremonies in the courtyard outside our building and in large venues throughout the Northern District of Illinois.
By Rebecca Pallmeyer
Committed to keeping appeals on track

As we observe Law Day 2022, the 1st District Appellate Court can look back and be justifiably proud of our commitment to keep cases moving even during a pandemic, while at the same time looking forward to coming out of the COVID cocoon to serve the people of Cook County.
By Aurelia Pucinski
Ideals drive changes in justice system

The COVID-19 global pandemic presented a novel coronavirus with prevention and treatment methods then yet unknown. The Illinois Supreme Court’s response — pursuant to its administrative and supervisory authority over all courts in the state accorded by the Illinois Constitution — was to immediately lead a transformational effort, starting in March 2020, to mitigate the impact on access to justice for all Illinoisans.
By Marcia M. Meis
Legal profession will adapt and prevail

“Building a More Perfect Practice of Law in Illinois” is a never-ending construction project, filled with revised architectural plans, change orders and interim phase deadlines.
By Kenneth Popejoy
Integrity leads way in difficult times

The Lawyers’ Assistance Program is grateful to commemorate Law Day, which recognizes the importance of the Rule of Law in our country and the legal underpinnings that make this country unique. After two years of grief, loss, changes and uncertainty, addressing the topic of leadership in changing times is more important than ever.
By Diana Uchiyama
Reach out for guidance, referrals

The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) has begun its 50th year of assisting the Illinois Supreme Court in its regulation of the legal profession in Illinois. The ARDC offers valuable resources to help Illinois lawyers serve their clients competently, ethically and professionally.
By Jerome Larkin
Protect judges from personal attacks

Protecting an independent judiciary is more important than ever.
By Judge Barb Crowder (ret.)
Democracy depends on confidence in law and lawyers

In 1973, the Illinois legislature established Southern Illinois University School of Law to serve the public good. Nearly 50 years later, we are steadfastly committed to our mission to transform our students into the lawyers and community leaders of tomorrow, empowered with the knowledge and skills to improve their communities.
By Camille Davidson
Teaching aspiring lawyers to lead

We live in unnerving times. Our nation is emerging from the worst pandemic in a century. War rages in Eastern Europe. Climate extremes are wreaking havoc. And Americans are more divided than they have been since Civil War times.
By Greg Miarecki
Staying connected is mission critical

Simply put, it has been another extraordinary year. We know the practice of law has been forever changed. The legal profession continues to innovate and improve how and where we practice law, as well as how lawyers and the public interface with the judiciary.
By E. Lynn Grayson
Seeking wins in well-being, success

As the 145th president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), it is my pleasure and privilege to serve as the fifth female and first Polish-born president of the largest voluntary bar association in Illinois. One thing I have learned from leadership in challenging times is that we are all pandemic warriors fighting adversity in law and in life. I also believe it is paramount that we fight to achieve a healthy life-work balance.
By Anna P. Krolikowska
Leaders do the work at all levels

While I will forever be grateful for and humbled by the opportunity to serve the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) as president, what is certain is this: to lead does not require a title.
By Cannon Lambert, Sr.
Taking a pause to improve the future

Unprecedented. Challenging. Difficult. These are words with which we are all familiar after two years of living in a pandemic. But our individual experiences of this collective global crisis also gave new meaning to words we thought we knew: Hope. Resilience. Opportunity.
By Andrea V. Belard
Collaborating toward greater diversity

Over the past year, the Arab American Bar Association of Illinois has not shied away from advancing leadership to address challenging topics in our community.
By Tony Abou Ezzi
Rocky seas inspire excellence

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. This African proverb most adequately describes the challenging times we find ourselves in — not just in our nation, but as a civilization. The world has figuratively become smaller since technological advances allow us to witness the world’s events in real time. Through a devastating pandemic, global supply chain issues, the undeniable effects of climate change, and the possibility of world war, the world is experiencing a torrential surging storm at sea.
By Nakhia Crossley
Citizen juries ensure our liberty

Celebrating the Constitution in times of change is a timely theme for 2022 Law Day. As war rages in Europe, we should be mindful of how fragile and tenuous our hold on democracy can be. History is filled with many more countries governed by tyrants and despots than those who were democratically elected.
By J. Matthew Dudley
Using our voices for change

Since the inception of the Illinois Defense Counsel (IDC) in 1964, the organization has striven to advance the interests of the defense bar by ensuring civil justice with integrity, civility, and professional competence. IDC recognizes Law Day as a day to reflect on the rule of law and embraces the Law Day theme of “Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change.”
By Laura K. Beasley
Podcasts delve into Supreme Court and its decisions

The Supreme Court of the United States has long been a mysterious operation. Despite being the top and final court in the third branch of our government, the Court has operated in relative obscurity for most of its existence. But a number of podcasts focused on the U.S. Constitution and the Court provide a new avenue for analysis and conversation about its doings.
By Pat Eckler and Dan Cotter
Kent professor examines the Constitution’s evolving role

Carolyn Shapiro knows the Constitution. As co-director of Chicago-Kent College of Law’s Institute on the Supreme Court of the United States, her areas of academic study include the high court and its role in a society governed by this founding document.
By Emma Oxnevad
Illinois courts plan a flexible future

The COVID-19 pandemic arrived as a cataclysmic shock to the court system, demanding quick decisions to adapt to fast-changing circumstances. What came as a surprise was how positive and potentially lasting some of those changes could become.
By Grace Barbic

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Photo gallery with Top Stories

Illinois state Sen. Darren Bailey, center, celebrates with his wife, Cindy Stortzum, left, and Lt. Gov. candidate Stephanie Trussell and her husband, William, after winning the Republican primary Tuesday. Bailey will now face Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the fall.

GOP’s Bailey to face Pritzker in race for governor

Republican candidate for Illinois governor Darren Bailey speaks to voters June 14 during a campaign stop in Athens, Ill. The anti-abortion Bailey was endorsed by former President Donald Trump over the weekend.

Abortion central in primaries as Illinois heads to polls

As reactions rocked the country after the U.S. Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion, a spectator holds up an “Impeach SCOTUS” sign Sunday during the 51st Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago.

Fall of Roe sets off new court fights between advocates on both sides

Demonstrators protest about abortion outside the Supreme Court Friday. “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the Dobbs decision.

Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion

The Biden administration proposed a dramatic rewrite of campus sexual assault rules on Thursday, moving to expand protections for LGBTQ students, bolster the rights of victims and widen colleges' responsibilities in addressing sexual misconduct. The proposal was announced on the 50th anniversary of the Title IX women’s rights law, which Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, shown this spring, said has been “instrumental” in fighting sexual assault and violence in education.

Biden administration moves to expand Title IX protections