updated

​MCBA NEWSLETTER 

may 11, 2026

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​MCBA Events 2026
May
5/12 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

5/15 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

5/19 (Tues.)
An Underwood Event after work

5/22 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

5/22 (Fri.)
GAL Certification Committee Meeting

5/29 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

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

6/25 (Thurs.)
Annual Meeting

July
7/14 (Tues.)
CLE 

7/18 (Sat.)
PILI Legal Advice Fair@MCCA
8:30 am - 12:30 pm

August
8/18 (Tues.)
CLE 

September
9/15 (Tues.)
CLE 

October
8/18 (Tues.)
CLE 

December
12/10 (Thurs.)
Holiday Luncheon

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​Complete 2026 List of Court Holidays & Closures

2026 Jury Calendar

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updates

· (Hon.) Elizabeth A. Robb (Ret.) - Recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month of May - LINK

· Mike Regnier swearing-in on Friday in Pontiac
* The 11th Judicial Circuit cordially invites all McLean County Bar Association members to attend the swearing-in ceremony for Michael Regnier as Associate Circuit Judge on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in Courtroom 1 of the Livingston County Law & Justice Center, 110 N. Main Street, Pontiac, IL 61764. 

· Will Scanlon Recognized by the The AOIC - LINK
​

· Lights, Camera...Ethics! - Join the Underwood Committee on Professionalism for a Night at the Movies!!
  * Tuesday, May 19th 
  * 5:00 pm at Epiphany Farms (upstairs) for social (half) hour with snacks provided by the MCBA &
     **drinks provided by Allison & Mosby-Scott!
  * Program begins at 5:30 pm and ends at 6:45 pm
  * 1 hour PR CLE-Ethics [approved]
  * Program to include Justice James Knecht, Katy Kraft, & Rachel Brandt
      moderated by Judge J. Casey Costigan.
  * Stay for dinner with the others!
  * More Information & Registration LINK
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reminders

·  Breakfast with the Bar - Ivy Lane - Fridays @8am ​

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CLE
Lights, Camera… Ethics!
Join the Underwood Committee on Professionalism for a Night at the Movies

[Professional Responsibility - Ethics - Approved]
​

The Underwood Committee on Professionalism invites you to an unforgettable evening where Hollywood meets the law. On May 19, 2026, the committee will host “A Night at the Movies”—a dynamic and engaging event that pairs iconic film clips with lively discussions on real-world ethical challenges.

Following each clip, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions, share perspectives, and explore how these cinematic moments reflect real-life dilemmas.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to combine entertainment with professional growth. Grab some popcorn, bring your curiosity, and get ready for a night where the reel world meets the real world.

Panel members include Justice James Knecht, Katy Kraft, and Rachel Brandt, moderated by Judge J. Casey Costigan.
 
May 19, 2026 at Epiphany Farms (upstairs)
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for social (half) hour with a cash bar and snacks
Presentation begins at 5:30 p.m., ending at 6:45 p.m.
 
In the spirit of the Underwood Inn of Court, remaining for dinner with others is encouraged. 

Please click on the movie reel above to register.

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mediators association invites!

Family Bar and Judges:
 
Please mark your calendars & plan to join the Mediators Association at Keg Grove for a happy hour following the next Family Bar Meeting!
 
Date:  Wednesday, 6/3 starting at 4:45 p.m.
Place:  Keg Grove Brewery (712 E. Empire St., Bloomington)

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THE MCLEAN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION is ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
​FOR THE
2027 petit jury calendar

AO 2026-10 2027 Petit Jury Calendar

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Support LINK

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​bar committee activities

BOG Meeting - May 12 noon
​​​GAL Certification Planning Committee Meeting - May 22 12.15 pm
​CLE Committee Meeting - May 26 noon
​​DEIA Committee Meeting - Coming Up Soon
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - June 3

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gregory j. berg - partner

Bartell Powell LLP is pleased to announce that attorney Gregory J. Berg has joined the firm as a partner and the firm has been renamed Bartell Powell Berg LLP to reflect this addition. Mr. Berg is a trial and appellate attorney whose practice covers all aspects of civil litigation in Illinois state and federal courts, with particular experience in personal injury, property damage, construction litigation, contract disputes, insurance coverage, municipal liability, and related matters. With the addition of Mr. Berg, Bartell Powell Berg LLP looks forward to continuing to provide clients with efficient, results oriented representation in a broad range of civil disputes.

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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free cle opportunity

cle for gal's

To register: https://www.pathlms.com/aoic and follow the instructions below. 

mcba cle recorded opportunities

cle​

Originally Recorded
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
​Ends, March 1, 2028
​​

Sentencing Credit in Illinois Criminal Cases
​
[Up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved]
​

Please join the McLean County Bar Association in welcoming Jackie Mathias-Jail R.E.S.E.T. (Recovery, Education, Support and reEntry Team) Director McLean County Jail and Hon. David Butler [Ret.]-Special Assistant Public Defender for McLean County.
 
This program will provide a guide of the credits that may be applied to reduce a criminal sentence.  The amount of time served on a criminal sentence may be significantly reduced by various forms of sentence credit available under Illinois law.  Attorneys should be familiar with the credits that may be applied to a sentence when negotiating a plea agreement or deciding on whether to go to trial.  Both defense attorneys and prosecutors will gain an awareness of the sentence credits that are possible for particular sentences.
 
Specific Topics Include:
Statutory Good Time Credit
Illinois Truth in Sentencing Act
Minimum Sentences
Periodic Imprisonment
County Jail Programs Credit
DOC Earned Discretionary Sentence
DOC Programs Credit
Sentencing Credit on Concurrent & Consecutive Sentences
Misdemeanor Good Time Act
Time Served in Custody Prior to Sentencing
Strangulation & Great Bodily Harm Cases
Revocation of Good Time Credit

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

cle

Originally Recorded
Tuesday, December 3, 2025
​Ends, December 1, 2027
​

​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 for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

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
​

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

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] 
​

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.
​

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.
​

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

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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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kanoski bresney

Information

posted 4-20

two attorney positions

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state farm insurance 

Information

deadline 6-19

in-house litigation discovery counsel

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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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