MCBA NEWSLETTER |
december 1, 2025 |
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MCBA Events 2025
December 12/3 (Wed.) Clerks Office CLOSED 12-1 CLE - Problem Solving Courts 12noon Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar - Listening Session 4pm 12/5 (Fri.) Breakfast with the Bar 12/9 (Tues.) BOG Meeting 12/10 (Wed.) DEIA Committee Meeting 12/12 (Fri.) Breakfast with the Bar 12/16 (Tues.) CLE Committee Meeting 12/17 (Wed.) Holiday Luncheon 12/19 (Fri.) Breakfast with the Bar 12/24 &25 (Wed. & Thurs.) Law & Justice Center Closed MCBA Events 2026 January 1/1 (Thurs.) Law & Justice Center Closed 1/2 (Fri.) Breakfast with the Bar 1/9 (Fri.) Breakfast with the Bar 1/13 (Tues.) BOG Meeting 1/16 (Fri.) Breakfast with the Bar 1/19 (Mon.) Law & Justice Center Closed 1/20 (Tues.) CLE - The State of the Circuit 1/23 (Fri.) Breakfast with the Bar 1/30 (Fri.) Breakfast with the Bar February 2/12 (Thurs.) HS Mock Trials & CLE 2/16 (Mon.) Law & Justice Center Closed March 3/4 (Wed.) Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session April May 5/6 (Wed.) Law Day 5/22 (Fri.) GAL Certification Committee Meeting June 6/4 (Wed.) Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session 6/25 (Thurs.) Annual Meeting |
cle
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Mr. Kevin T. Abbott
Mr. Robert M. Bennett Mr. Anthony J. Blodgett Ms. Kristine E. Blodgett Mr. Brendan D. Bukalski Prof. Amelia S. Buragas Hon. David W. Butler Mr. Spencer T. Chikahisa Mr. Timothy W. Cook Hon. J. Casey Costigan Ms. Gina Couri-Cyphers Mr. Jeffrey V. Crabill Mr. Russell E. DePew, Jr. Ms. Erin M. Donaldson Hon. Scott D. Drazewski Hon. Sarah R. Duffy Mr. Randall B. Ehlers Hon. Pablo A. Eves Ms. Calli A. Farrell Mr. Michael L. Fenger Mr. Philip N. Finegan Hon. Rebecca S. Foley Ms. Christine P. Franklin Mr. Matthew E. Franklin Mr. Aaron J. Fredrick Ms. Rayne Groble Mr. Daniel L. Guido Ms. Veleda Harvey Hon. Bradley M. Hauge Mr. Frank E. Hoffman Mr. Robert M. Javoronok, Jr. Mr. Ogden Johnson |
Ms. Jenna L. Kearns
Ms. Lora A. Keller Hon. Scott Kording Mr. Richard T. Lau Ms. Mary K. Lawson Mr. Ronald L. Lewis Ms. Emily B. Lewis-Gerig Mr. Marc C. Loro Ms. Michelle D. Mancias Ms. Nicole C. Mannen Mr. Connor J. Martin Ms. Karin Miller Mr. C. Matthew Miller Ms. Justi R. Miller Hon. Gregory M. Minger Ms. Tara D. Minger Mr. Chase T. Molchin Mr. Andrew J. Muller Mr. John D. Nairn Ms. Jen I. Ortiz Ms. Jennifer L. Patton Ms. P. Vi-Vi Phan Mr. John L. Pratt Mr. Bradly A. Rigdon Mr. Joshua P. Rinker Mr. Nicholas V. Ruble Mr. William J. Scanlon Mr. Shreyas U. Shastri Mr. Raymond T. Sheldon Mr. Trevor J. Sierra Ms. Danielle E. Sipiora Ms. Jennifer L. Stuckey Ms. Simran Thakur |
The ISU Mock Trial Program plans to host its 24th annual invitational tournament in early November 2026. Thank you again to all of our volunteer mock trial judges/evaluators.
Respectfully yours,
Scott Kording, Tournament Director
Amelia S. Buragas, ISU Mock Trial Educator Coach
A.J. Blodgett, ISU Mock Trial Head Attorney Coach
Spencer T. Chikahisa, ISU Mock Trial Assistant Attorney Coach
Respectfully yours,
Scott Kording, Tournament Director
Amelia S. Buragas, ISU Mock Trial Educator Coach
A.J. Blodgett, ISU Mock Trial Head Attorney Coach
Spencer T. Chikahisa, ISU Mock Trial Assistant Attorney Coach
a charity focus
isba women & the law standing committee
Each year, the Illinois State Bar Association’s (ISBA) Women & The Law Standing Committee organizes a charity drive in conjunction with its December meeting. This year, we’re proud to support Special Olympics Illinois, with a special focus on their swimming teams and their dedicated volunteer coaches who make these programs possible.
We’ve selected teams and coaches from across the state, including Sycamore (Northern Illinois); Monmouth (West Central Illinois); and Marion (Southern Illinois (Marion) to receive our support. You can help us from now until Friday, December 12th by:
As these athletes begin training for the Spring and Summer 2026 competitions, your support can make a difference. Every contribution, large or small, helps!
On behalf of ISBA's Women & The Law Committee, thank you for your time, generosity, and continued support!
We’ve selected teams and coaches from across the state, including Sycamore (Northern Illinois); Monmouth (West Central Illinois); and Marion (Southern Illinois (Marion) to receive our support. You can help us from now until Friday, December 12th by:
- Shopping Our Amazon Wish List: Each item has been thoughtfully selected to meet the needs of specific athletes and coaches—from swimsuits and towels to swim goggles. We’re also collecting gift cards to help support volunteer coaches who travel long distances at their own expense to coach athletes at the regional and state competitions.
- Make a monetary contribution to Special Olympics-Illinois: Your contribution supports Special Olympics athletes and the programs that empower them to train, grow, and compete.
As these athletes begin training for the Spring and Summer 2026 competitions, your support can make a difference. Every contribution, large or small, helps!
On behalf of ISBA's Women & The Law Committee, thank you for your time, generosity, and continued support!
Warren County Falcons Special Olympics Team
MCBA HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
wednesday, DECEMBER 17 - NOON
The above photos have been snapped of the luncheon participants through the years. It's our hope that you and your staff would consider joining the McLean County Bar Association for the annual holiday luncheon and Project Santa collection on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 from 12.00 pm - 1:00 pm. at the Bloomington Country Club.
project santa
MCLEAN COUNTY NURSING HOME RESIDENT ADOPTIONS
This is the 11th year that the McLean County Bar Association has partnered with the McLean County Nursing Home to adopt residents. This nursing home facility is a high-Medicaid bed nursing home and most of the adopted residents have very low-income. In fact, most of the residents who receive the MCBA gifts might otherwise have no holiday gifts. The staff and residents often share heart warming gratitude for all of the generosity given their way through the years!
We were able to initially obtain the names of 42 residents along with their unique wish list. Two more residents were added as they are new to the home.
We were able to initially obtain the names of 42 residents along with their unique wish list. Two more residents were added as they are new to the home.
Circuit Clerk's Holiday Luncheon
The Circuit Clerk’s office will be closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, to allow our staff to attend our annual office Holiday Luncheon.
Don R. Everhart, Jr.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Don R. Everhart, Jr.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
If you haven't already filled this survey in, please do so today! If you ahven't received the survey link in your inbox, please email Ali Siczek, Director of Development & Ourtreach at: [email protected]
Hockey
Buffalo Bison’s Lincoln’s Birthday Celebration game
Buffalo Bison’s Lincoln’s Birthday Celebration game
The game is February 22nd at 4:00 pm. The doors open at 3:00 pm and our reserved suite will be open at that time.
The cost per ticket is $68.00 and includes all you can eat and drink (details below). There are only 50 tickets available for the suite and the tickets are available starting today. If someone wants to go, I suggest they get their tickets early because I anticipate all 50 tickets being purchased. To purchase tickets for the suite, they should contact GABE MATHERLY at 309-965-4370. They should tell him that they want to purchase tickets for the McLean County Bar Association suite for the Abe Lincoln’s Birthday Celebration game.
The refreshments provided in the suite will be:
FOOD:
- Pizza
- Boneless Wings: Served plain with sauces on the side ( BBQ, Buffalo, Sweet & Sour, Ranch, and Honey Mustard)
- Salad Bar
- Cookies
- Popcorn
DRINKS:
Domestic beers: Busch Light, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, Budweiser, and Coors Light
Seltzer: High Noon (hard seltzer made with vodka)
Non-alcoholic drinks: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Starry, Lemonade, and Aquafina
The cost per ticket is $68.00 and includes all you can eat and drink (details below). There are only 50 tickets available for the suite and the tickets are available starting today. If someone wants to go, I suggest they get their tickets early because I anticipate all 50 tickets being purchased. To purchase tickets for the suite, they should contact GABE MATHERLY at 309-965-4370. They should tell him that they want to purchase tickets for the McLean County Bar Association suite for the Abe Lincoln’s Birthday Celebration game.
The refreshments provided in the suite will be:
FOOD:
- Pizza
- Boneless Wings: Served plain with sauces on the side ( BBQ, Buffalo, Sweet & Sour, Ranch, and Honey Mustard)
- Salad Bar
- Cookies
- Popcorn
DRINKS:
Domestic beers: Busch Light, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, Budweiser, and Coors Light
Seltzer: High Noon (hard seltzer made with vodka)
Non-alcoholic drinks: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Starry, Lemonade, and Aquafina
bar committee activities
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - December 3
BOG Meeting - December 9 noon
CLE Committee Meeting - December 16 12 noon
2026
DEIA Committee Meeting - January 21 12.15 pm
GAL Certification Planning Committee Meeting - May 22 12.15 pm
BOG Meeting - December 9 noon
CLE Committee Meeting - December 16 12 noon
2026
DEIA Committee Meeting - January 21 12.15 pm
GAL Certification Planning Committee Meeting - May 22 12.15 pm
new to your office?
or maybe an attorney/staff 'on the move'?
If your office has new attorneys and staff, then we would like to update membership on your additions! Maybe you have an attorney making moves within your office. Please click on the link below to submit a little about the new addition and feel free to add a photo as well.
cle recording opportunities
CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Ends, July 1, 2027
A Case Review from the Bench
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Ends, July 1, 2027
A Case Review from the Bench
Presented by: Hon. Donald Bernardi [Ret.] & Hon. Charles Feeney [Ret.]
[Up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved]
[Up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved]
Retired Judges Donald Bernardi and Charles Feeney have each selected two cases from their time on the bench that present interesting legal issues. These cases are both civil and criminal and include a variety of issues, including legal malpractice and the use of the involuntary intoxication defense in criminal cases.
CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Ends, March 1, 2027
Small Law Office Efficiency - AI
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Ends, March 1, 2027
Small Law Office Efficiency - AI
Presented by: Drew Vaughn
[Up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved]
Please join the McLean County Bar Association in welcoming Mr. Drew Vaughn. He will be teaching about how Artificial Intelligence works, the ethical implications of its use, and practical applications of Artificial Intelligence that you can implement today.
Learning Objectives:
1. Foundations of Artificial Intelligence [A.I.]
2. Ethical Implications of the use of AI
3. Practical AI Application
Learning Objectives:
1. Foundations of Artificial Intelligence [A.I.]
2. Ethical Implications of the use of AI
3. Practical AI Application
CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Ends, August 1, 2026
IRS Taxes Discharged in Bankruptcy
Presented by: Robert Schaller, JD
[Up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved]
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Ends, August 1, 2026
IRS Taxes Discharged in Bankruptcy
Presented by: Robert Schaller, JD
[Up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved]
You can become the client’s hero by eliminating IRS back taxes. Learn how to spot opportunities for IRS tax resolution. The focus of the seminar is how to eliminate IRS back taxes thru bankruptcy. The presentation will discuss Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 basics and the bankruptcy adversary proceeding process.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn how to spot IRS tax resolution opportunities.
2. Learn how to eliminate IRS back taxes thru bankruptcy.
3. Learn Bankruptcy Code basics: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 and adversary proceedings.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn how to spot IRS tax resolution opportunities.
2. Learn how to eliminate IRS back taxes thru bankruptcy.
3. Learn Bankruptcy Code basics: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 and adversary proceedings.
CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
ENDS June 25, 2026
Traffic Stops & Motor Vehicles Searches
Presented by: Hon. David Butler (Ret.) & Matthew Butler
[up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved]
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
ENDS June 25, 2026
Traffic Stops & Motor Vehicles Searches
Presented by: Hon. David Butler (Ret.) & Matthew Butler
[up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved]
Evidence of a crime is often found by police during the search of a vehicle that was stopped for a traffic violation. Items found during the search may be illegal contraband, such as drugs or weapons, or evidence of another crime. What starts out as a minor traffic violation can turn into a search of the vehicle to investigate evidence of crimes unrelated to the traffic stop. This CLE program presents an examination of the various legal bases for the police to conduct a motor vehicle search and the possible legal challenges to the search. Attorneys who either defend or prosecute criminal cases involving the possession of contraband will be better able to recognize evidentiary issues related to criminal charges arising out of traffic stops and motor vehicle searches.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED ARE:
Lawful basis of traffic stops
“Out of the Car” Drivers and Passengers
Search of Persons in the Vehicle
Search of Vehicles
Probable Cause Searches
Dog Sniffs
Odor of Cannabis
Search Incident to Arrest
Parole Searches
Inventory Searches
Consent Searches
Motions To Suppress Evidence
The cost is $20.00.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED ARE:
Lawful basis of traffic stops
“Out of the Car” Drivers and Passengers
Search of Persons in the Vehicle
Search of Vehicles
Probable Cause Searches
Dog Sniffs
Odor of Cannabis
Search Incident to Arrest
Parole Searches
Inventory Searches
Consent Searches
Motions To Suppress Evidence
The cost is $20.00.
CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Ends February 16, 2026
CYBER RISK & CYBER LIABILITY INSURANCE
presented by
Scott Dunton & Adam Czerwinski
[up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved]
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Ends February 16, 2026
CYBER RISK & CYBER LIABILITY INSURANCE
presented by
Scott Dunton & Adam Czerwinski
[up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved]
This CLE will provide a basic understanding of the cyber risks facing law firms and why firms must care. Real-life examples will be shared. Attendees will leave this course with a better understanding on how to mitigate your firm's cyber risk and avoid cyber losses.
Below are comments shared from attendees evaluations...
It was an excellent presentation highlighting pitfalls for the unwary.
With ISBA insurance withdrawing their cybersecurity coverage, I will need to look into other insurance. This presentation assisted in learning areas of inquiry when looking for this kind of insurance.
With ISBA insurance withdrawing their cybersecurity coverage, I will need to look into other insurance. This presentation assisted in learning areas of inquiry when looking for this kind of insurance.
friday breakfast with the bar
join us this friday
8:00 am-9:00 am
Ivy Lane Bakery - Downtown Bloomington