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Illinois Supreme Court

  • September 28, 2018 | Practice News
    Illinois Judicial Conference Reconstituted to Focus on Strategic Planning for Judicial Branch

    The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the approval of amendments to Supreme Court Rule 41, which in 1971 established an Illinois Judicial Conference (IJC) "to consider the work of the courts, to suggest improvements in the administration of justice, and to make recommendations for the improvement of the courts.” 

    The amendments are designed to create a smaller, more active and engaged IJC, which will be tasked with creating and implementing a long-term statewide strategic agenda for the judicial branch.

  • September 20, 2018 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Disbars 10, Suspends 16 in Latest Disciplinary Filing

    The Illinois Supreme Court announced the filing of lawyer disciplinary orders on September 20, 2018. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.

  • September 20, 2018 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Seeking Applications for Five Judicial Positions in Cook County

    The Illinois Supreme Court is seeking applications for five judicial positions in Cook County.

    The court is seeking applications for the following positions:

    • Two At Large judicial vacancies in the Cook County Judicial Circuit. One vacancy is created by the retirement of Judge Sebastian T. Patti. The other vacancy, effective Dec. 3, is created as a result of Judge Carole Bellows deciding not to seek retention.
    • One judicial vacancy in the 14th Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County. The vacancy is created as a result of the retirement of Judge Robert Bertucci.
    • One judicial vacancy in the 2nd Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County. The vacancy is created as a result of the retirement of Judge Alexander White.
    • One judicial vacancy in the 6th Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County. The vacancy, effective Dec. 3, is created as a result of Judge Mary Nega deciding not to seek retention.
  • August 7, 2018 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Adopts Rules for Debt Collection Civil Suits, Identity Theft Recourse

    The Illinois Supreme Court recently adopted new rules that establish a more stringent process for debt collection companies to file civil cases, allow the court to more easily dismiss cases filed by those companies, and establish a process for purported victims of identity theft to contest liability. 

    Illinois Supreme Court Rules 280-280.5 go into effect Oct. 1.

    Rules 280 and 280.1 define applicability and definitions of legal terms for civil action. Rule 280.2 establishes a uniform affidavit that courts will accept to identify basic information in civil complaints filed by debt collection companies.

  • July 30, 2018 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Adopts Rule on Collaborative Process

    The Illinois Supreme Court has adopted a rule that allows divorcing couples to work with lawyers on a limited-scope basis to try to reach an amicable settlement and avoid litigation.

    Illinois Supreme Court Rule 294 was adopted June 8 and went into effect July 1. It was an important companion rule to ISBA-sponsored legislation establishing the practice of the collaborative process in dissolution cases. That legislation became effective on Jan. 1.

    The new rule, also proposed by the ISBA, disqualifies attorneys serving in a collaborative process from representing clients if the process fails and the case goes to litigation. The rule also stipulates that when an attorney is discharged from a collaborative process, that lawyer’s entire law firm is also disqualified from representing the client. 

    4 comments (Most recent August 2, 2018)
  • July 19, 2018 | Practice News
    Amended Illinois Supreme Court Rule Requires Additional Phrase for All Civil Summons

    A recently-amended Illinois Supreme Court Rule requires the following language to be added to all civil summons:

    “E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp or talk with your local circuit clerk's office.”

    The language, "or talk with your local circuit clerk's office" was added to the Rule on July 19. The amended Rule takes effect immediately. 

  • June 27, 2018 | Practice News
    New Illinois Supreme Court Rule Requires Specific Language for All Civil Summons

    Effective July 1, a new Illinois Supreme Court Rule requires the following language to be added to all civil summons:

    “E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp.”

    3 comments (Most recent June 29, 2018)
  • June 18, 2018 | Practice News
    Illinois State Bar Association Assembly Approves Proposed Rule on Succession Planning

    The Illinois State Bar Association Assembly approved a proposed rule on succession planning for lawyers during the 2018 Annual Meeting. 

    It would require all Illinois licensed private practice lawyers to name a designated representative on their ARDC registration documents or certify that they have made a similar designation in a succession plan or other valid document. The designated representative would have the authority to take limited fiduciary action in the event that the designating attorney dies, becomes disabled, disappears, or abandons the practice.

    2 comments (Most recent June 21, 2018)
  • June 15, 2018 | ISBA News
    P. Scott Neville, Jr. Sworn in as Illinois Supreme Court Justice
    Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr.

    The Honorable P. Scott Neville, Jr. was sworn in to the Illinois Supreme Court today during an installation ceremony at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. 

    He is filling the seat of retiring Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Freeman. Justice Neville’s appointment is effective today through Dec. 7, 2020. He said he plans to seek reelection.

    A graduate of Washington University’s School of Law, Justice Neville has practiced law in Illinois since 1974, when he became a law clerk for Illinois Appellate Court Justice Glenn T. Johnson. Throughout his career as an attorney, Justice Neville has specialized in appellate, employment, civil rights issues, and complex litigation.

  • June 8, 2018 | ISBA News
    Illinois Supreme Court Adopts Uniform Bar Exam

    Illinois became the 30th state to adopt the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) June 8 when the Illinois Supreme Court approved it to be the main component for bar admission. 

    The UBE is a nationwide test that allows test takers to transfer scores between states, which improves mobility of Illinois attorneys. It will be given for the first time in Illinois in July 2019. 

    The Illinois Board of Admission to the Bar held public hearings in Springfield, Carbondale, and Chicago in 2016 to provide information on the UBE and to seek comments regarding its potential adoption. The comments received were overwhelmingly supportive of the change. That same year, the Illinois State Bar Association Board and Assembly issued recommendations that the supreme court should adopt the UBE. 

    4 comments (Most recent June 15, 2018)