wednesday & thursday
October 22 & 23, 2025
Guardian ad Litem Certification Seminar
[up to 10.5 hrs general CLE credit - approved]
[INCLUDING 1 hour professional responsibility-ethics - approved]
[INCLUDING 1 HOUR PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY-mental health - approved]
Please join the McLean County Bar Association for the 9th Biennial Guardian Ad Litem Certification Seminar!
The program will be held on October 22 and 23 with check-in beginning each day at 8:30 a.m. The event is located at The Holiday Inn and Conference Center, 8 Traders Circle, Normal, Illinois. If you would like to reserve your discounted hotel room at The Holiday Inn and Conference Center, please phone 309.862.0101, press '0' and ask for the GAL Certification Block of Rooms.
This seminar is currently approved for certification as a GAL in the 11th Circuit. Please provide the seminar agenda to the presiding judge in your circuit to seek approval in that circuit.
The event cost includes the CLE's, materials, and daily snacks. Lunch will not be provided this year in an effort to keep the fees low.
One day Attendance: [includes CLE, materials, a morning and afternoon snack]
$200 for 1 day of your choice
(Cost increases to $250 if registration and payment is received on or after August 17, 2025)
Full Two Day Seminar Cost: [includes CLE, materials, a morning and afternoon snack each day]
$300 for both days MCBA/Peoria County Bar Association Members
(Cost increases to $350 for MCBA/PCBA Members if registration and payment is received on or after August 17, 2025)
$350 for both days Non-members
(Cost increases to $400 for non-members if registration and payment is received on or after August 17, 2025)
Refund Policy:
*Full refund less $50 Administrative Feeand 3% credit card charge for refund requests received on or before Tuesday, September 30.
*No refunds for requests received on or after Wednesday, October 1.
Program registration and payment options are listed below. Please contact the Holiday Inn and Convention Center directly [309.862.0101] for the special block room rate, which will be held for a short time.
The program will be held on October 22 and 23 with check-in beginning each day at 8:30 a.m. The event is located at The Holiday Inn and Conference Center, 8 Traders Circle, Normal, Illinois. If you would like to reserve your discounted hotel room at The Holiday Inn and Conference Center, please phone 309.862.0101, press '0' and ask for the GAL Certification Block of Rooms.
This seminar is currently approved for certification as a GAL in the 11th Circuit. Please provide the seminar agenda to the presiding judge in your circuit to seek approval in that circuit.
The event cost includes the CLE's, materials, and daily snacks. Lunch will not be provided this year in an effort to keep the fees low.
One day Attendance: [includes CLE, materials, a morning and afternoon snack]
$200 for 1 day of your choice
(Cost increases to $250 if registration and payment is received on or after August 17, 2025)
Full Two Day Seminar Cost: [includes CLE, materials, a morning and afternoon snack each day]
$300 for both days MCBA/Peoria County Bar Association Members
(Cost increases to $350 for MCBA/PCBA Members if registration and payment is received on or after August 17, 2025)
$350 for both days Non-members
(Cost increases to $400 for non-members if registration and payment is received on or after August 17, 2025)
Refund Policy:
*Full refund less $50 Administrative Feeand 3% credit card charge for refund requests received on or before Tuesday, September 30.
*No refunds for requests received on or after Wednesday, October 1.
Program registration and payment options are listed below. Please contact the Holiday Inn and Convention Center directly [309.862.0101] for the special block room rate, which will be held for a short time.
hotel information
Holiday Inn - Bloomington/Normal
8 Traders Circle, Normal, IL 61761
309.862.0101
You can phone the hotel above for a Discounted Block of Rooms.
The rooms are listed under the name McLean County Courts.
You can also book your room by pressing this LINK.
8 Traders Circle, Normal, IL 61761
309.862.0101
You can phone the hotel above for a Discounted Block of Rooms.
The rooms are listed under the name McLean County Courts.
You can also book your room by pressing this LINK.
GAL Conference Schedule
GAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (DAY 1)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025
5 Hours CLE
Registration / Sign-in
Welcome and Announcements
Hon. Duffy, Emcee & John Pratt, JD, MCBA BOG President
Stuck in the Middle: Kids, Courts, and GALs
Dr. David Thompson [75 mins]
Morning Break
Stuck in the Middle: Kids, Courts, and GALs
Dr. David Thompson [75 mins]
Lunch (Not Provided)
Sponsor Presentations – Our Family Wizard & SoberLink
Monday Morning Quarterback: Problem Solving
Nargis Khokar, JD, Dr. Knutson, PsyD., Helen Ogar, JD, and Todd Roseberry, JD [90 mins]
Afternoon Break
Ethics for GALs
Hon. Scott Kording [60 mins]
Testimonials & Closing Remarks
Social Hour with Light Appetizers
Sponsored by McLean County Bar Association
Welcome and Announcements
Hon. Duffy, Emcee & John Pratt, JD, MCBA BOG President
Stuck in the Middle: Kids, Courts, and GALs
Dr. David Thompson [75 mins]
Morning Break
Stuck in the Middle: Kids, Courts, and GALs
Dr. David Thompson [75 mins]
Lunch (Not Provided)
Sponsor Presentations – Our Family Wizard & SoberLink
Monday Morning Quarterback: Problem Solving
Nargis Khokar, JD, Dr. Knutson, PsyD., Helen Ogar, JD, and Todd Roseberry, JD [90 mins]
Afternoon Break
Ethics for GALs
Hon. Scott Kording [60 mins]
Testimonials & Closing Remarks
Social Hour with Light Appetizers
Sponsored by McLean County Bar Association
GAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (DAY 2)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
5.5 Hours CLE
Registration / Sign-in
Welcome and Announcements
Hon. Duffy, Emcee
Autism
Dr. Moore [60 mins]
Morning Break
GAL’s: A Judges Perspective (including GAL reports)
Moderated by Hon. Wheeler [90 mins]
Participants:
Hon. Jennifer Ascher – Sangamon County
Hon. Dan Cordis – Peoria County
Hon. Victoria Kennison – Will County
Hon. Shelly Vescogni – LaSalle County
Lunch (Not Provided)
High School in 2025: The More Things Change . . .
Joe Lewis, JD [60 mins]
“‘The Kids Were Asleep The Whole Time’ and Other Lies GALs May Be Told About Family Violence”
Hon. Mary Koll [60 mins]
Afternoon Break
Trauma & Self-Care for GALs
Dr. Kelly Knutson, PsyD [60 mins]
Closing Remarks
Welcome and Announcements
Hon. Duffy, Emcee
Autism
Dr. Moore [60 mins]
Morning Break
GAL’s: A Judges Perspective (including GAL reports)
Moderated by Hon. Wheeler [90 mins]
Participants:
Hon. Jennifer Ascher – Sangamon County
Hon. Dan Cordis – Peoria County
Hon. Victoria Kennison – Will County
Hon. Shelly Vescogni – LaSalle County
Lunch (Not Provided)
High School in 2025: The More Things Change . . .
Joe Lewis, JD [60 mins]
“‘The Kids Were Asleep The Whole Time’ and Other Lies GALs May Be Told About Family Violence”
Hon. Mary Koll [60 mins]
Afternoon Break
Trauma & Self-Care for GALs
Dr. Kelly Knutson, PsyD [60 mins]
Closing Remarks
STOP!
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Financial Hardship Policy: The Bar Association of McLean County will waive the cost of the meeting and luncheon to anyone showing need thereof by direct application to the President of the Association. Please contact MCBA President, John Pratt at: [email protected] , if financial assistance is needed.