​​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER

​december 16, 2024

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2024
December Events
12/19 (Thurs.)
Holiday Luncheon

12/20 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

12/27 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

MCBA Events 2025
January
1/3 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

1/10 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

1/13 (Mon.)
CLE Committee Meeting

1/14 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

1/17 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

1/24 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

1/28 (Tues.)
CLE Luncheon at 2nd Presbyterian (please note the date change)

1/31 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

February 
2/7 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

2/12 (Wed.)
H.S. Mock Trials

2/14 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

2/21 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

2/28 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

March
3/5 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

April

May
Mental Health PR CLE Seminar for Members

5/1 (Thurs.)
Law Day Social Hour

5/7 (Wed.)
Law Day Luncheon

June
6/02 (Mon.)
Golf & Pickleball Event

6/4 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

9/3 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

July
​
August

September
9/26 (Fri.)
CIPA Annual Educational Seminar

October
10/22-23 (Wed. - Thurs.)
GAL Certification Seminar

November

December
12/3 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

12/7 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar

12/10 (Wed.)
Holiday Luncheon

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​Complete 2025 List of Court Holidays & Closures

2025 Jury Calendar

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membership renewals 2025

Please know that the membership application will be available through January 2025. The early discounted rate ends on January 5, 2025. The rate increases on January 6th. 

In an effort to better serve the McLean County Bar Association, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee kindly requests your voluntary, confidential responses to three added questions on the 2025 member application.

Membership Renewal Application

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cle participants from last week

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MCBA HOLIDAY LUNCHEON 
​​thursday, DECEMBER 19 - NOON

Please join the McLean County Bar Association for our annual holiday luncheon and Project Santa collection on Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 12.00 pm - 1:00 pm. at the Bloomington Country Club. 

More Information & Registration - Closes Tuesday, December 17

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project santa
MCLEAN COUNTY NURSING HOME RESIDENT ADOPTIONS

a THANK YOU!

Don Bernardi
Laurel Bingaman
Jonathan Bobel
Brendan Bukalski
Laura Castagna
Costigan & Wollrab PC
Joseph Dehn
Erin Donaldson
Judge Sarah Duffy
Ginny & Judge Pablo Eves
Calli Farrell
Judge Rebecca Foley
Beverly Fratto
Jaime Ganschow
J. Michael Grosso Law Office
Nate Hinch & Family
Tori Hoban
​Frank Hoffman
Jenna Kearns
Judge Mary Koll
Katy Kraft
Judge Amy McFarland
​Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols
Emmalie Parson
Cathy Pratt
Josephine Shane
Jennifer T. & Her Mom
Taylor Williams
Wood DeVary & Armstrong PC
Megan Wood
Stephen Wood

Reminders on Gift Packaging & Caroling

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caroling with the madrigals!
at the mclean county nursing home
monday, december 23 at 2:00 pm​

It is a long standing MCBA tradition to give both presents and presence to the McLean County Nursing Home residents during the holiday season.
 
On Monday, December 23rd MCBA member adoption gifts will be warmly received by the residents during their holiday party. MCBA Members have participated in this gathering in the past through caroling and visiting the residents. Everyone is welcome to attend and sing along again this year. This year we have a special offer to bring local high school singers to share their caroling skills with the residents. The University High [UHigh] Madrigal Singers will perform in medieval costume for the nursing home residents. They sing a variety of a capella Christmas standards, modern pop, and even songs in Latin. The 15 Madrigal Singers were selected by audition in the spring and have been practicing since July. 
 
The UHigh Madrigal Singers are seeking to raise funds to travel to New Orleans next year. Your donations, will assist with the UHigh Madrigals fund raising effort! The Madrigals fund raising goal is $1000.00 for this event. Your donations can be easily made through the link below. All money will go directly to the UHigh Madrigal Singers. The money raised will be applied toward the bus rental for the upcoming choir & orchestra trip to New Orleans. Your donation will lower the cost for all students. In New Orleans, the students will experience jazz and history tourism and have master classes at Tulane University.

Thank you for your consideration!

Madrigals Donations for their trip to New Orleans next year

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save the dates
​2025

Tuesday, January 28 - State of the Circuit CLE
Wednesday, February 12 - High School Mock Trials & CLE Event
Wednesday, May 7 - Law Day Luncheon
Monday, June 2 - Golf & Pickleball Event
Friday, September 26 - 35th Annual CIPA Educational Seminar
Wednesday & Thursday, October 22 & 23 - GAL Certification Seminar

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Retirement!
​

Jim Ginzkey

effective December 31, 2024

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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MCBA SCHOLARSHIP

The recipient[s] will be announced at the Holiday Luncheon on Thursday, December 19th.

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​continuing legal EDUCATION
​2025

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CLE - live webinar

Wednesday, January 29, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
​​
Supreme Court of Illinois Judicial College 
Guardian ad Litem Education Committee
Presents:
​
Ethics in Allocation of Parental Rights Cases

Up to 1.5 hours PR Eithis CLE

Target Audience:
​​
➢ Judges
➢Guardians ad Litem
➢ Child Representatives

Ethics in representing children present unique issues for practitioners. Not only will attorneys review the legal fundamentals of representing children, but they will also be able to work through common ethical issues with the guidance of experts in the field. Discussions about consents for release of information, re-releasing of information and discussion about HIPAA privacy issues will be included.
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Registration and More Information

If you are registering for the first time, “Sign-Up” and create an account. Next. click on Events to locate this live webcast. If you are a returning user, click Link above and “Sign-In, search “Featured Events” to locate this live webcast. 

Technical questions? (888) 705-6002 or [email protected]
Non-Technical questions? [email protected]

​Google Chrome browser preferred

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cle recording opportunities

CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
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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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Recording - email Mary Sellmyer if interested

CLE
Originally Recorded
​Tuesday, July 16, 2024
​
Traffic Stops & Motor Vehicles Searches

Presented by: Hon. David Butler (Ret.) & Matthew Butler

​[up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved] 

RECORDING ENDS June 25, 2026
​

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

Recording - email Mary Sellmyer if interested

CLE
Originally Recorded
​Tuesday, February 20, 2024
​
​CYBER RISK & CYBER LIABILITY INSURANCE

presented by
Scott Dunton & Adam Czerwinski

​[up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved] 

RECORDING ENDS February 15, 2026
​

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.

CLE
Originally Recorded
​Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Filing & Defending Civil Pre-Trial Motions
presented by
​Hon. David Butler, Ret and Thomas McClure, JD

[up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved]

RECORDING ENDS August 30, 2025
​

Many civil lawsuits are won or lost without a trial. This CLE program presents an in-depth examination of pre-trial motion practice. Some critical aspects of pre-trial Motions To Dismiss and Motions For Summary Judgment will be discussed. This program will help attorneys to recognize various legal bases for the dismissal of a civil lawsuit filed against their client. In addition, learn how to respond to Motions To Dismiss and Motions For Summary Judgment.
 
Topics to be covered are:
Motions To Dismiss Based on the Pleadings (Sec. 2-615 Motions)
Involuntary Dismissals Based on Certain Defects or Defenses (Sec. 2-619 Motions)
Motions For Summary Judgment
Pre-Trail Motions in Small Claims Cases

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

Below are comments shared from attendees evaluations...

Clearly very knowledgeable & did a great job reviewing these litigation basics.

Thank you for providing so much substantive material.

Both Presenters are knowledgeable, engaging, and good at explaining concepts.

​What is one of your take aways? What did you learn today?
* Clearer difference between types of motions
* Best practices for Affidavits

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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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BLOOMINGTON CANNON ESTATE PLANNING
TELECONFERENCE SERIES PROGRAM
​HOSTED BY PNC WEALTH MANAGEMENT

2024 Schedule

Please contact​ [email protected] if interested in attending.
If you have questions please call Jennifer at 309.655.5476 ​

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career opportunities

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livingston COUNTY 

Information

Posted - December 9

gal for minors in juvenile cases

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Mclean COUNTY public defender

Information APD I

Information APD II

Posted - November 25

assistant public defender i & ii

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Mclean COUNTY state's attorney

Information

​Posted - November 25

assistant state's attorney i, ii, iii

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livingston COUNTY public defender

Information

Posted - November 18
​Open until filled

assistant public defender​

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peoria COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER

Information

Posted - November 18
​Ends - January 2025 if not filled

criminal defense attorney

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office space available

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bar committee activities

​2025
Law Day Committee Meeting - January 7 12.15 pm
CLE Committee Meeting - January 13 noon
​BOG Meeting - January 14 noon
GAL 2025 Planning Committee Meeting - January 31 12.15 pm
DEIA Committee Meeting - February 26 12.15 pm
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - March 5

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