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Central Illinois

  • April 2, 2012 | ISBA News
    Hinsdale Central High School is statewide mock trial champion

    Hinsdale Central High School placed first in the 30th annual Illinois State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Invitational held at the University of Illinois at Springfield on Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31, 2012.

    Timothy Christian High School in Elmhurst came in second place, and third place went to St. Charles North High School. Teams from 44 Illinois high schools traveled to Springfield to participate in the program.

    Hinsdale Central High School will represent the state of Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Championship which will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 3-6, 2012.

    “The mock trial program is a rare opportunity for Illinois high school students to compete in a high-level academic endeavor,” says Lauren E. DeJong of Park Ridge, chair of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Law Related Education for the Public, which conducts the program.

    Evanston Township High School in Evanston and Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale tied for the highest team average on the Written Law Exam, and Andrea Shen, from Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, had the highest individual test score.

  • March 28, 2012 | People
    Richard E. "Rick" Barber 1952 - 2012

    Richard E. "Rick" Barber, 59, passed away Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at his home in Galesburg.

    Rick was born July 21, 1952, in Champaign, to Mabel C. (Entwistle) Barber and Marion E. Barber. He graduated in 1974 from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in communications. While at Illinois, Rick met his future wife, Mary Hanlon, and the two were married in 1974.

    Rick received a J.D. in 1979 from the University of Tulsa College of Law. That same year he came to Galesburg and joined the law firm of Hanlon & Ruedig, where he later became a name partner. In addition to his private practice, Rick served as corporation counsel for the city of Galesburg, beginning in 1980, and as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee for the Central District of Illinois, beginning in 1982.

    Additionally, Rick served as an officer in the Knox County Bar Association, and was a member of Jaycees and Noon Lions Club.
    Rick is survived by his wife, Mary; his two children, Kathleen Barber and David Barber; and his sister, Mary (Mike) Pugh.
    Rick will long be remembered by all who knew him for his great wit, his warmth, his happiness in serving others, and his love for his family and friends.

  • March 28, 2012 | People
    Burke Miller 1923-2012

    Burke Miller, 88, Lincoln, died at 11:10 a.m. Thursday (March 8, 2012) at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln.

    Burke was born Oct. 5, 1923, in Lincoln, the son of Leland and Catherine Burke Miller.

    Burke attended grade school and high school in Lincoln. He graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., in 1943 and the University of Chicago Law School in 1945. He returned to Lincoln to join his father as third generation in the family’s law firm and actively practiced until December 1996, retiring after 50 years.

    He was a longtime member of Holy Family Parish. He belonged to the Illinois State Bar Association, Logan County Bar Association, Lincoln Elks Club, Logan County Farm Bureau and Knights of Columbus. He also served on the board of directors of Lincoln Savings and Loan Association.

    Burke had a passion for farming and enjoyed watching the crops mature. He was an avid and knowledgeable sports fan who enjoyed watching spring training baseball each year with his nephews in the warmth of the Tucson sun.

    He will be dearly missed by his wife, family and friends, and will be remembered for his acts of simple kindness, whether it be returning from the grocery store surprising his family with a bouquet of fresh flowers and a homemade pie, or striking up a sports-related conversation with a newly found friend. Burke’s personality radiated warmth and kindness to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

    He is survived by two children, Stephen Miller, Lincoln, and Rebecca (Peter) Pirmann, Carbondale.

  • March 27, 2012 | ISBA News
    ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational set for this weekend in Springfield

    Teams from 45 high schools statewide will participate in the 30th annual Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) High School Mock Trial Invitational Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31 at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Public Affairs Center – Lower Level, One University Plaza, in Springfield.

    The eight top-scoring teams will compete in the final round on Saturday, March 31, for the state championship. The winner will represent Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 3-6, 2012. [The trials will begin Friday, March 30, at 11:15 a.m. and will continue through Saturday afternoon. The final round will begin at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 31].

    “The mock trial program is a rare opportunity for Illinois high school students to compete in a high-level academic endeavor,” says Lauren E. DeJong of Park Ridge, chair of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Law Related Education for the Public, which conducts the program.

    “Students must analyze complex information, apply logic and deductive reasoning, communicate effectively, and use other critical thinking skills in the trial scenario,” she continued. “The ISBA offers this opportunity for the students to come together, after months of hard work and preparation, to challenge each other and stimulate discussion.”

    1 comment (Most recent April 2, 2012)
  • March 22, 2012 | People
    Donald D. Knuckey, Sr. 1948-2012

    Donald D. Knuckey Sr., 63, of Lacon, died Feb. 5, 2012 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

    Mr. Knuckey was born July 30, 1948 in Scales Mound to David and Charlotte (Hurst) Knuckey.

    Mr. Knuckey served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired from the Army after 20 years. He graduated from Loyola Law School and practiced law in Henry for many years. He also served as Marshall County State's Attorney for 20 years and was engaged in farming. He attended Immaculate Conception Church, Lacon and was a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus at Immaculate Conception. He also was a member of the Henry American Legion.

    Survivors include his mother, Charlotte Knuckey, of Peru; four children, Margaret (Christopher) Johnson of Morton, Rosemary (Michael) Frawley of Putnam, Donald D. (Lucille) Knuckey, Jr. of Henry and Anthony Knuckey of Chicago; eight grandchildren, Franklin, Henry, Lucas, Lauren Rose, Mikayla, Taylor, Elizabeth and Isabelle; one brother, James (Connie) Knuckey of Moline; and three sisters, Linda Lambel of McHenry, Barbara (Dale) Holloway of Mendota and Donna (Bill) Donna of Magnolia.

    He was preceded in death by his father.
    Memorials may be directed to the Henry American Legion or the Henry Food Pantry.

  • March 22, 2012 | Practice News
    Adams County has opening for public defender

    Adams County, Illinois, has an opening for the head Public Defender, effective July 1, 2012.  The duties are defined at 55 ILCS 5/3-4000.  Salary is 90% of the compensation of the State’s Attorney. 

    Applications and resumes, including jury trial experience naming specific cases tried, should be submitted no later than May 1, 2012, to Court Administrator Mary Kay Willer, 521 Vermont St., Quincy, IL 62301 (217-277-2055).

  • March 21, 2012 | Practice News
    Results from Tuesday’s judicial primaries for all circuits outside of Cook

    Here are the results for Tuesday's judicial primaries for all circuits outside of Cook. Click the link below for the list of results from around the state with ISBA ratings for each candidate.

    Winners in bold

    • Click here for the results from Tuesday's Supreme and Appellate primaries
    • Click here for the results from Tuesday's Cook County Circuit primaries

    (R) Republican
    (D) Democrat

    Candidates must receive 65% on the question of Meets Requirements of Office in order to be Recommended.

    1st Circuit - Williamson County - Eckiss

  • March 6, 2012 | People
    ISBA Past President Lyle W. Allen passes away

    Illinois State Bar Association Past President Lyle W. Allen, 87, of Peoria, passed away Saturday, March 3 at his home. He served as the ISBA's 96th President from 1972-73.

    Born June 17, 1924, in Chillicothe, to Donald M. and Mary Ellen McEvoy Allen, he married Helen M. Kolar Aug. 16, 1947 in Fox River Grove. 

    A 1942 graduate of Chillicothe High School, he received his preparatory education at Northwestern University (B.S. 1947). He received his legal education at Columbia University and the University of Wisconsin (J.D. 1950). In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. As member of the 87th Infantry Division in the European Theater of World War II, he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.  

    He was admitted to the Illinois and Wisconsin bars in 1950. In 1951, he joined the Peoria law firm of Heyl, Royster, & Voelker. He was admitted to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in 1954, and to the United States Supreme Court in 1960. In 1962 the firm’s name was changed to Heyl, Royster, Voelker, & Allen.

    Mr. Allen was a member of the ISBA Committee on Forms from 1962-64; a member of the Council of the Civil Practice and Procedure Section from 1955-61, of which he was secretary from 1956-61 and editor of Trial Briefs, the Section’s Newsletter, from 1961-63; secretary of the Council of the Insurance Law Section from 1963-64. He became a member of the ISBA Board of Governors in 1964.

  • February 24, 2012 | ISBA News
    ISBA seeks "Ask A Lawyer Day" volunteers

    The Illinois State Bar Association is seeking “Ask A Lawyer Day” volunteers for two shifts on Saturday, April 28, at the Illinois Bar Center in Springfield, 424 S. Second Street. The first shift runs from 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and the second shift runs from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

    Please consider volunteering to help the public with their legal questions and, at the same time, enhance the image of the profession.

    Each year, to recognize and celebrate Law Day, the Illinois State Bar Association sponsors “Ask A Lawyer Day,” a day during which volunteers respond to telephone calls from the public and answer general legal questions free of charge. This is a state-wide public relations effort that receives considerable attention from the public and the media.

    If you are interested in volunteering, please complete and return the form provided below to Tracy Potter.  You can send it any of the following ways:

  • February 23, 2012 | People
    Jay M. Hanson 1940-2012

    Jay McCartney Hanson, 71, of Geneseo, passed away at home Jan. 30, 2012, after a courageous battle of several months duration.

    Jay was born on Sept. 27, 1940, in rural Hillsdale, the son of J. McCartney "Pete" Hanson and Eleanor Dailey Hanson. He was raised in rural Hillsdale and attended Hillsdale schools. Jay graduated from Geneseo High School in 1958. He attended Lawrence College in Appleton, Wis., and Mexico City College and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1962 and the University of Idaho College Law in 1965. Jay was united in marriage to Judy Bond in 1963.

    He began his law career in Geneseo and, in 1969, he was appointed as the youngest circuit magistrate in the state of Illinois; less than a year later, Jay was appointed associate judge of the circuit court. In 1976, he ran for and was elected to a full circuit judgeship in the 14th Judicial Circuit; he left in 1982 to practice law in Thompson Falls, Mont. Jay returned to Illinois in 1986 and ran again for circuit judge, serving until his retirement in 2000.

    Survivors include his wife, Judy; four daughters, Jennifer (David) Squire, Baraboo, Wis., Mari Hanson, Fountain Hills, Ariz., Sarah (David) Humphreys, Pensacola, Fla., Kristina (Eric) Misfeldt, Geneseo; grandchildren, Sarah Grant, Tuesday Grant, Paige Squire, Sophia Squire, Signe Anna Squire, Brittany Frus, Kristina Humphreys, Zach Humphreys, Drake Misfeldt, Eleanor Misfeldt, Zane Misfeldt; sisters, Kathleen Hanson, Cottonwood, Ariz., and Priscilla Middleton, Sarasota, Fla.