"It is not often we devote an entire issue to a single topic," editor John Phipps writes in the latest ISBA General Practice section newsletter. "This article by Katherine Chamberlain on the Illinois Transfer on Death Instrument for residential real estate provides us that opportunity." The article includes a helpful checklist and -- best of all -- much sought-after sample TODI forms. Read it here.

The Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County has posted a notice that there are five vacancies in the office of associate judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Applications are being accepted for these vacancies, as well as additional vacancies which may occur during the nomination process, the will be filled by vote of the Circuit Judges of the Circuit Court of Cook County.Any attorney who is a U.S. citizen, a resident of Cook County and licensed to practice law in Illinois may apply by completing two signed originals of the application prescribed by the Director of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts to the address below:Michael J. Tardy, DirectorAdministrative Office of the Illinois Courts222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th FloorChicago, Illinois 60601Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2013. An application can be obtained from the Offices of the Chief Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, 50 W. Washington, Room 2600, Richard J. Daley Center, Chicago, IL 60602. Applications may also be obtained from the Illinois Supreme Court's website at http://www.state.il.us/court/Administrative/Forms/Assoc_Judge/default.asp.Applications may not be submitted electronically or via facsimile. At the close of the application process, the Director shall certify to the Chief Judge a list of those applications who have timely filed and provide a copy of those applications.

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews bills in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. In this episode he covers IMDMA and temporary relief (House Bill 1004), Integrative Family Therapy (House Bill 1018), Family law and false allegations of child abuse or neglect (House Bill 1019), Child support and payor’s fee (House Bill 1041), Income-withholding notices (Senate Bill 1169) and Uniform Collaborative Law (House Bill 1029). More information on the bill is available below the video.IMDMA and temporary relief. House Bill 1004 (Pritchard, R-DeKalb) allows party to request and the court to grant temporary relief that includes the following: (1) require a party to surrender to the court or the petitioner's attorney any United States or foreign passport issued in the name of a child; (2) require a party to place the name of a child in the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program of the United States Department of State; or (3) enjoin a party from applying on behalf of a child for a new or replacement passport or visa. Recently introduced.

President John E. Thies discusses the ISBA's Special Committee on Law School Debt. The committee recently completed the final of five hearings held around the state. The group heard testimony on the significance of law school debt on the long term delivery of legal services and found the impact of this crisis is being felt far and wide.