MCLEAN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
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MCBA Newsletter                                                         ​                                               may 25, 2020 


2020
May Events

5/25/20 (Mon.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

5/26/20 (Tues.) - 
Virtual
​CLE Committee Meeting

5/26/20 (Tues.) - Virtual
​CLE Committee Meeting

5/27/20 (Wed.) - Virtual
State-of-Circuit Update

​
​June Events
6/16/20 (Tues.) - ​Virtual
CLE Event

July Events
7/3/20 (Fri.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

7/--/20 (Tues.) - ​Tentative

​Annual Bar Meeting

7/21/20 (Tues.) - Virtual
​CLE Luncheon-Collections
​

August Events
8/18/20 (Tues.)
​CLE Luncheon

September Events
9/7/20 (Mon.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

9/15/20 (Tues.)
​CLE Luncheon

9/25/20 (Fri.)
Law Day Celebration Gala

October Events
10/12/20 (Mon.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

10/20/20 (Tues.)

​CLE Luncheon

10/21 & 22 (Tues. & Wed.)
​GAL Conference


November Events
11/11/20 (Mon.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

11/17/20 (Tues.)

​CLE Luncheon

11/26 & 11/27/20 (Thurs. & Fri.)
Law & Justice Center Closed


December Events
12/24 & 25 (Thurs. & Fri.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

2021
​January Events

1/1/21 (Fri.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

COVID-19 updates for the 11th circuit


MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
 
Let's hold onto our hats with one week to go before the return to something different!! While it will not be a full return to normalcy, it will certainly be a nice change as I am sure you will agree. Once again, we will all need to do our part with the return - - the continued washing of hands, using masks and sanitizers, social distancing, etc.
 
I hope you enjoyed the Zoom presentation from Judges McFarland and Costigan last week. While I was unable to attend, I heard it went well. Thank you to all who attended and, for your time, Hon. McFarland and Costigan. I was pleased to hear that Chief Judge Fellheimer and possibly others will be presenting a Zoom conference this Wednesday, May 27th at noon, on the (second) State-of-the-Circuit: An Update, for our return to near normal Court operations following our shelter-in-place. While we do not expect the Bench to know how all of these matters will play out or the nature of some potential hiccups, I know you would agree that some information, any information will be welcome. I want to thank Judge Fellheimer and our Bench for their willingness to provide us some insight into the lay of the land in the courthouse and with the anticipated handling of our case-related matters. I hope to see you on my computer screen on Wednesday. Please see the link below to register.
 
And, for my weekly PSA obligation, I had previously mentioned the opportunity for an extension of time for those members whose two-year MCLE reporting period is June 30, 2020. Specifically, a three-month extension (until September 30, 2020) is available to earn your MCLE credits and report compliance to the MCLE Board. However, the extension is not automatic. You can secure the three month extension at no cost without a late fee by submitting an online report of "Not Yet Complied" to the MCLE Board no later than July 31, 2020. If you do not report compliance, "not yet complied" or otherwise secure a valid exemption on or before July 31, 2020, you will still have until September 30, 2020 to earn the credits and report your compliance but you will need to pay a $250.00 late fee.
 
While I am waiting to hear from our Committee that handles memorials since they have had contact with the family members, I am still looking to move the Bar's Annual meeting, currently scheduled for Tuesday, June 16th, to the month of July. This move should maximize the amount of time away from our shelter-in-place in order to host a large gathering. Stay tuned. And, as always, I thank you for your patience and understanding.
​
Have a great week. Be safe!
​​​Joe Foley

COURT communications
​an invitation

To members of the McLean County Bar:
 
Judge Mark Fellheimer and Judge Scott Black invite those attorneys who practice in the Arbitration (AR), Small Claims (SC) and Law – Magistrate (LM) cases in McLean County to participate in a virtual presentation and question/answer session regarding the reopening of the court and the move to virtual hearings on
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. This meeting is regarding the anticipated docket opening beginning June 1, 2020.
 
The purpose of the meeting is to review the reopening of the Circuit Court Small Claims docket and provide information regarding the virtual hearing process. Judge Mark Fellheimer, Judge Black and staff will be available to answer questions regarding calendaring cases, hearing procedures, entry of orders, default judgments and bench trials.
 
Sent by Trial Court Administrator – William J. Scanlon
​

To attend the AR, SC, LM case discussion, please RSVP by sending an email to Mary Sellmyer if you haven't already done so. 

wednesday - may 27
'state of the circuit: an update'

1 HOUR OF CLE - GENERAL [Approved]
The McLean County Bar Association is pleased to sponsor a presentation that will be lead by Chief Judge Fellheimer. include guidance from our Bench on matters including the expected procedures throughout the circuit, protocol of hearings and trials, and physical movements within the courthouses elevators, hallways, courtrooms, and clerk's offices, etc.
the state of the circuit: an update-rSVP here-if you have not already responded

COURT NEWS



​mclean County

May 21, 2020
To:  The McLean County Bar Association

​
I am pleased to report that we have a little more clarity this week regarding court operations going forward than last week. The Illinois Supreme Court issued its newest Order yesterday (5/20/20) and we have been working on the next 11th Circuit Administrative Order in anticipation of yesterday’s Supreme Court Order.  ​
​
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We are still on track to resume ramping up court operations on June 1st.  Please check the status of your case before you come to court to make sure it is still on the schedule or whether it is being conducted remotely.  You should advise your clients of the same. 

As we all know, the resumption of “normal” court operations will be a gradual process.  Unfortunately, some cases may get continued in order to keep the Law and Justice Center overall population within safe levels for the time-being, unless they can be conducted remotely.  Like many private businesses and government agencies, we are prepared to make quick changes based on how things go when we start conducting more in-person hearings.  We have made scheduling decisions based on forecasts and estimates as to how many people can safely be in, and move around, the Law and Justice Center.  Be prepared that if for some reason the Law and Justice reaches capacity, people may have to wait outside.
Several Bar Association Zoom meetings are planned before June 1st where you will be provided specific details as to each division’s policies and procedures.  You will also have an opportunity to ask questions.  I would encourage you to submit questions in advance so that the presenters will be in a better position to give answers during the meeting.

On the subject of remote hearings, you should expect Remote Hearing Guidelines in the very near future that will be applicable to 11th Circuit remote hearings.

Should you have any questions or concerns on court operations, please contact the Trial Court Administrator, William Scanlon at (309)888-5266.

Stay safe and we all look forward to seeing all of you whether it be in person or remotely.  I look forward to providing you with future updates and to welcoming all of you back to the Law and Justice Center.

With regards,
Chief Judge Mark A. Fellheimer

NOTICE
​

NOMINEES
FOR
MCLEAN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
2020-2021 TERM

view the official NOTICE here

attention
important information for attorneys with last names beginning with a-m

Attorneys with June 30, 2020 as their MCLE compliance deadline may choose a three-month extension at no cost.     BUT - You MUST TAKE ACTION by July 31, 2020 to select this option if you do not want to pay the $250 late fee.
CLICK this link and read carefully

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​
Click on the LAP logo to find the home page.
Please find the latest article release COVID19: The Short and Long Term Mental Health Consequences by Dr. Diana Uchiyama, LAP Executive Director at this LINK. 

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Information about a Virtual Pro Bono Opportunity to Help Those in Need
Illinois Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal clinic where low-income Illinoisans can submit a question online to ask a lawyer for help with a civil legal issue. Volunteer lawyers then log onto the site at their convenience and answer questions waiting in the queue that they feel comfortable addressing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a great way to help those in need from the comfort and safety of your home. 
​

A project of the American Bar Association, Free Legal Answers was created as a national platform to increase access to advice and information about non-criminal legal matters for those who cannot afford legal assistance. It is now active in 42 jurisdictions within the United States, including Illinois, with the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) as the statewide administrator. Most clients’ questions tend to be in one of the big three civil legal aid categories—family, housing and consumer law. However, since the pandemic and resulting shutdown, now people are also asking about employment and benefits issues. PILI provides the necessary support, including an online resource page with training videos and sample questions and answers. The ABA provides malpractice coverage for volunteer lawyers. You can learn more by clicking on the Free Legal Answers Logo below or visit the site to register at this LINK.
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covid-19
guidance for employees & staff

Please click on the above logo to view the IDPH website.
As you are probably already familiar with the personal safety guidance, there is also a need for an awareness of employee and staff of businesses. Please see this LINK for more information.

announcement

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I hope everyone is doing well during this challenging time. Prairie State Legal Services is fully staffed and accepting cases. Our physical office is closed. Our staff are working from home. Our staff’s contact information has not changed. Please contact Adrian at abarr@pslegal.org or (309) 433-0065 if you have any questions.     Adrian Barr

2020
MCBA YOUNG LAWYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Thank you for all of your nominations!!
​The announcement of the 2020 Young Lawyer Award winner
​will be made at the Annual Bar Association meeting.

TUESDAY - june 16 - CLE

'managing it risk while sheltering in place'
CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS & PROTECTING SENSITIVE INFORMATION

[UP TO 1 HOUR GENERAL CLE CREDIT pending APPROVal]

registration will open soon

tuesday - july 21, 2020
'collections'

[up to 2 hours general cle credit approved]

Obtaining and Collecting Judgments in Debt Collection Actions:
Representing both Plaintiffs and Defendants
Registration will open in June

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Click on the Logo above for the home page.


​Help The Immigration Project help others become Citizens!


McLean County Immigrant Resource Guide
LINK
​
View the May Newsletter HERE

mark your calendar

2020

May 27 - tentative CLE - The Updated State of the Circuit
June 16 - CLE - Managing I.T. Risk While Sheltering in Place
​July - TBD- Annual Meeting
​July 21 - CLE - Collections 
​September - Law Day Gala - an evening event -  more information to come
October 21-22 - The Guardian Ad Litem Event
November 13-15 - The ISU Invitational Mock Trial Tournament

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2020 BLOOMINGTON CANNON ESTATE PLANNING
TELECONFERENCE SERIES PROGRAM
​HOSTED BY PNC WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Time: 11:30 am     ​Location: Same
PNC Wealth Management
202 E. Washington St.
2nd Floor Conference Room
Bloomington, IL  61701
 1.5 hours of Continuing Legal Education Credit will be earned for attendance at each call.
A certificate of attendance will be given to each participant.

As part of PNC’s ongoing effort to protect the health of our employees, customers and business partners from the potential impacts of the Coronavirus, we will be canceling the April 2nd Cannon teleconference. We have been in contact with Cannon Financial Institute to see if there is a way to offer CLE credit, where you are able to access the program from your home or office. Should this current health climate stretch into May, we will work toward being able to do that. So stay tuned…..
 
 Jennifer Julius Administrative Assistant - jennifer.julius@pnc.com   (P) 309-655-5484
 PNC Wealth Management, 301 SW Adams, D2-Y701-03-3, Peoria, IL  61602

June 4
The Relationship Among Trust Beneficiaries and Trustees, the IRS and the Courts
 
July 9
Ethics-Based Obligations in Specific Client Engagements
​
August 6
Maximizing Flexibility With Powers of Appointment
 
​September 3
Picking Up the Pieces:  Post-Divorce Planning

October 1
Moving the Needle With Your Clients’ Retirement Asset Planning
 
October 29
Contemporary Challenges in Trust Administration
 
December 3
Essential Asset
​Protection Planning

​January 7, 2021
Conflicts of Interest Issues Facing Estate Planning Professionals


CAREER OPPORTUNITIES


Prairie state legal services

seeks
information
Posted: May 25

a staff attorney


bar committee activities

2020
CLE Committee Meeting - May 26 12:00 noon
BOG Meeting - June 9 noon
CLE Presentation - June 16 12:00 noon

save the dates
​2020

may 27 - state-of-the-circuit: an update
june 16 - cle - 'managing IT risk while sheltering in place'
july  -  annual meeting tbd

july 21 - cle luncheon or virtual meeting - 'collections'
​SEPTEMBER 25 - LAW DAY GALA.. AN EVENING EVENT
october 21-22 -gal conference
november 13 - 15 - the isu invitational mock trial tournament


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MCBA Breakfast with the Bar - ​cancelled until further notice
Remember to have “Breakfast with the Bar” every Friday morning between 8:00 am and 9:00 am. It’s a great way to meet and talk with your fellow attorneys in an informal setting. Stay for 10 minutes and have a cup of coffee or stay for an hour and have a full breakfast before court. Grab an associate, partner or friend and come.      See you Friday!


Executive Committee 
President                            
​Kathleen Kraft

2nd VP
Judge Pablo Eves

Secretary
Nargis Khokhar
1st VP
​Nathan B. Hinch

Immediate Past President
Julia Davis

Treasurer
Calli Farrell
Disclaimer:
The McLean County Bar Association (MCBA) presents the information on this web site as an information service to our members and other Internet users. While the information on this site is about legal issues, it is not legal advice. The information is not intended to create, and receipt of the information does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Those using this information should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel.
Board of Governors
John L. Pratt
Brendan Bukalski
Michael Butts
​Dean Davis


Administrative Assistant
Mary Sellmyer

​Find a Lawyer Disclaimer:
The intention of the MCBA"Find a Lawyer"search is only to refer members of the public requiring legal services to members of the MCBA who have indicated that they wish to receive referrals in a particular area of the law.

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  • MCBA Home
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  • Contact
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    • Forms-McLean
  • Career Opportunities
  • LAP Eleventh Judicial Assistance Attorneys
  • Product