​​MCBA NEWSLETTER 

december 15, 2025

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MCBA Events 2025
December
12/15 (Mon.)
Law Day Committee Meeting

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

1/15 (Thurs.)
Grand Cafe Social from 3pm - 7pm

1/16 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

​1/19 (Mon.)
​Law & Justice Center Closed

1/23 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

1/27 (Tues.)
​CLE - The State of the Circuit

1/30 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

February
​2/12 (Thurs.)
HS Mock Trials & CLE

​2/16 (Mon.)
​Law & Justice Center Closed

2/26 (Tues.)
​Underwood Panel

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

December
12/10 (Thurs.)
Holiday Luncheon

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​Complete 2025 List of Court Holidays & Closures

​Complete 2026 List of Court Holidays & Closures

2025 Jury Calendar

2026 Jury Calendar

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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. 

More Information, Registration, & Photos of Past Gatherings

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state of the circuit cle

Tuesday - January 27
Second Presbyterian Church
Doors Open at 11:30 am
Program Begins at 11:50 am
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Registration

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mcba membership 2026

Please push on the above logo to renew your membership for 2026.

thank you for your membership & renewals!

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social events 2026

Thursday, January 15 - Grand Café - 3.00pm to 7.00pm
​!1/2 price drinks & 1/2 price appitizers!
Greeters: Angie & Frank Hoffman
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Sunday, February 22 - HOCKEY! - 4:00 pm
Thursday, February 26 - An Evening Underwood Event
​Wednesday, April 22 - Administrative Assistant Day - TBD

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nchs mock trial
​2026

Saturday Morning, January 31st

We will be hosting a very small Central Illinois tournament on Saturday, January 31st at Normal Community High School. Our goal is to provide downstate teams with the opportunity to compete in a low-stakes, low-stress, and high-enjoyment environment ahead of the state tournament. Our hope is that teams from Bloomington, Champaign, Dunlap, UHigh, O'Fallon, Normal Community West, and NCHS will participate. 
 
This event is focused on downstate high school teams which are often excluded from northern Chicago suburb tournaments. The invitation document that was sent to the high schools shows all relevant details that any volunteers or participants may want to know. That document can be found by accessing the link HERE.

We need four judges or practicing attorneys from the McLean County Law and Justice Center who would be willing to volunteer and participate in our tournament as trial round judge/evaluator for our tournament. Volunteer participants would judge two rounds beginning at 9am and ending around 12pm. Please reach out to either Ricky or Kevin at that emails below.

Thank you for considering, 
Ricky King [ [email protected] ] and Kevin Shackley [ [email protected] ]
Normal Community High School Mock Trial Team

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Central Illinois Paralegal Association [CIPA] Announces
​2026 Board Members

The Central Illinois Paralegal Association (CIPA) announces its newly elected board members for the 2026 term. The officers were sworn in at the Association’s annual holiday party on December 9, 2025.

The 2026 officers are:
·        President: Denise Risinger, Onward Injury Law
·        Vice President: Denise Cardot, Caterpillar, Inc.
·        Treasurer: Laura Gilmore, Chartwell Law
·        Secretary: Linda Gibson, Rincker Law
·        NALA Liaison: Stacy Seaman, State Farm

The Central Illinois Paralegal Association is dedicated to supporting the paralegal profession through education, networking, and professional development.
​
For more information, please visit ciparalegal.org 
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The ​Illinois Municipal League is currently seeking presenters for its annual attorney seminar to be held in Bloomington on March 5, 2026. Please click on the logo above for more information about the IML. If interested in participating as a speaker, please see contact information below.
​

Kory Smith | General Counsel
ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
500 East Capitol Avenue | PO Box 5180 | Springfield, Illinois 62705
217.525.1220 phone | 618.322.8730 cell | 217.525.7438 fax
[email protected] | www.iml.org | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Instagram

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Announcement of the
2025 Recipients of the
McLean County Bar Association
​Community Service Law School Scholarship

The McLean County Bar Association Scholarship Committee is honored to announce that Mary Clayton Coleman and Stephanie Gramlich are the 2025 recipients of the McLean County Bar Association Community Service Law School Scholarship. 

​Mary Clayton Coleman
​

Dr. Coleman is a 3L attending the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign, IL. She earned her Ph.D. in Philosophy from Harvard University, her M.A. in Philosophy from Tufts University, and her B.A. in Philosophy from Kenyon College. Dr. Coleman lives in Bloomington, IL, and she was a professor of Philosophy at Illinois Wesleyan University for 14 years. Prior to that, Dr. Coleman taught Philosophy at Bard College and the University of Arizona. Dr. Coleman is interested in public defense, and she plans to practice law in McLean County after graduation. Dr. Coleman has volunteered with the Illinois Innocence Project, and she completed internships with the McLean County Public Defender’s Office in the summer of 2024 and 2025 and the Office of the State Appellate Defender in the spring of 2025. The MCBA Scholarship Committee was impressed with Dr. Coleman’s commitment to a public interest legal career. Please join us in congratulating 2025 scholarship recipient, Dr. Coleman.

Stephanie Gramlich
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Ms. Gramlich is a 3L attending the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, IN. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from Indiana University. Ms. Gramlich served as a Sergeant of Police in the United States Marine Corps. She volunteers to assist other veterans with navigating benefits claims, participates in Toys for Tots, and is an active member of the Central Illinois Paralegal Association. Ms. Gramlich lives in Heyworth, IL, and is currently a paralegal and manager in the Legal Orders and Processing Department of Heartland Bank and Trust Company in Bloomington, IL. Ms. Gramlich is interested in business law and consumer law, and she plans to practice law in McLean County after graduation. The MCBA Scholarship Committee applauds Ms. Gramlich’s leadership and demonstrated community service. Please join us in congratulating 2025 scholarship recipient, Ms. Gramlich.

The MCBA Scholarship Committee thanks this year’s scholarship applicants: Lynn Cha, Mary Clayton Coleman, Timothy Cook, Sa’mond Davis, Stephanie Gramlich, and Sophia LaMore. Additionally, thank you to this year’s MCBA Scholarship Committee: Miles Bardell, Adrian Barr, Brian Day, Erin Duncan, Judge Mark Fellheimer, Nannette Fosen, Ron Lewis, Josephine Shane, Samantha Vazquez, Alexandra Williams, and Taylor Williams (please note, when applicable, committee members with conflicts abstained from the application review process). Thank you as well to MCBA Assistant Mary Sellmyer for her assistance with the scholarship process. Congratulations again to the 2025 McLean County Bar Association Community Service Law School Scholarship recipients, Mary Clayton Coleman and Stephanie Gramlich! Dr. Coleman and Ms. Gramlich will be recognized during the MCBA Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

Sincerely,
Taylor Williams
MCBA Scholarship Chair
2020 MCBA Scholarship Recipient

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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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

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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

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project santa
MCLEAN COUNTY NURSING HOME RESIDENT ADOPTIONS

Thank you to all who have adopted and your generosity! Every resident has been adopted!!

Details

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Hockey
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

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bar committee activities

Law Day Committee Meeting - December 15 12.15
CLE Committee Meeting - December 16 noon
2026
​​BOG Meeting - January 13 noon
​​DEIA Committee Meeting - January 21 12.15 pm
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - March 4
​​​GAL Certification Planning Committee Meeting - May 22 12.15 pm

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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. 

New to My Office? or Retiring? or Moving? Any Update!

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cle recording opportunities

cle

Originally Recorded
Tuesday, December 3, 2025
​Ends, December 1, 2027
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​A Guide To Problem Solving Courts: 
​Drug Court, Recovery Court, and Veteran’s Court

​[Up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved] 
​

Presenters:
Hon. Dave Butler [Ret.]-Moderator
Ron Lewis
Hon. Scott Drazewski [Ret.]
Emilio Fischer
Craig Queen

This program will provide an overview of the sentencing alternatives known as Problem Solving Courts. These sentencing alternatives include Drug Court, Recovery Court and Veteran’s Court. Each of these specialized sentences are remedial and are alternatives to a prison sentence. Both defense attorneys and prosecutors will gain an understanding of these specialized sentences including eligibility requirements, terms and conditions, the process of evaluating referrals and the sentencing process.
 
Specific Topics Include:
 
What Are Problem Solving Courts?
Drug Court, Recovery Court, and Veteran’s Court Distinguished
PSC Referrals
PSC Court Process
PSC Teams
Steps In Processing PSC Referrals
Adult Risk Assessments & Drug Evaluations
State’s Attorney’s Screening of PSC Referrals
Attorney’s Role When Client is Sentenced To a PSC
PSC Violations

Registration will open soon

CLE
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] 

​

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.

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

CLE
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
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Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
​Ends, August 1, 2026
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​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.
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Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

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] 

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.
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Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

CLE
Originally Recorded
​Tuesday, February 20, 2024
​Ends February 16, 2026
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​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. 

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

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.

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friday breakfast with the bar
join us this friday
8:00 am-9:00 am

Ivy Lane Bakery - Downtown Bloomington
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career opportunities 
&
law student opportunities

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Mclean COUNTY state's attorney

Information

assistant state's attorney i, ii, iii

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office space available

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802 N. Clinton, bloomington

Information

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108 w. monroe, BLOOMINGTON

Information

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