Chicago Paralegal Association has teamed up with DISCO to access their e-discovery document review platform. This opportunity is normally only reserved for law schools, but we were able to convince DISCO that paralegals need database training just as much as future lawyers. We will be using DISCO training materials and our own materials to develop a training program to ensure our members are set up for success in the litigation and e-discovery fields. You won’t find this training program anywhere else. With the help of DISCO, CPA will provide members with real-world experience on how to navigate an e-discovery platform, how to perform a document review, gain experience in searching in a real database, and much more. 

From: Crain's Chicago Business

Declaring that an agency that still widely uses carbon paper could use a bit of reform, a trio of Chicago civic groups today unveiled changes they’d like to see the new clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court make after 20-year incumbent Dorothy Brown leaves the post in December.

Included is a top-to-bottom audit, expanded use of e-filing, a final end to patronage hiring, electronic recording of all court sessions and, yes, no more carbon paper, which the report says is still extensively used for key documents, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

From: WTTW News

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced on Wednesday that Illinois’ ban on evictions would be extended until Oct. 22, as state officials work to get grants to Illinois residents struggling to make ends meet.

Via Perfectly Paralegal Resources

Notaries who have up-to-date commissions and are in good standing can become remote Notaries, but there are some additional requirements (depending on your state) that must be fulfilled, and Notaries should consider whether they’re equipped to handle the software and other technical requirements before they take the plunge.

Scott outlined the basic steps to becoming a successful remote online Notary. They include:

• Remote online notarization basics and credentials.
  
• The equipment and technology you’ll need.
  
• The skills you’ll need.
  
• Legal considerations.
  

To read the entire article, click here. 

Nineteen years ago, under clear blue skies, 102 minutes changed our lives forever. National September 11 Memorial & Museum

https://video.ibm.com/911memorial

From: Cook County

During September 14 – 18, 2020, Cook County will hold its second Racial Equity Week to delve deeper into the need to advance racial equity, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cook County will hold a series of interactive virtual events with community leaders, artists and the public. This year’s theme is Cook County Past, Present and Future: Acknowledging past harm, reckoning with impact today, and casting a vision for our county’s future. 

Illinois Supreme Court revises provisions of Supreme Court Rules 101, 283, and 286(a) regarding summonses, to reduce unnecessary in-person court appearances and to promote remote court appearances. https://courts.illinois.gov/SupremeCourt/Announce/2020/082720-2.pdf

From: Cook County Judges

The Chancery Division posted a new Order today, 8/25. Pursuant to Chief Judge Evans’ General Administrative Order 2020-02, all mortgage foreclosure matters are stayed until after September 21, 2020, and new case procedures will also start 9/21. If you need a copy of the Order, please check the Resource Center!

From: Cook County Record

A state appeals court has been asked to step in and decide whether Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has the power to indefinitely continue issuing executive orders, prohibiting landlords, many of whom say they are approaching financial ruin, from forcing apartment and rental house tenants to either pay their rent or face eviction.

From: Cook County Chief Judge Evans

This morning, the Zoom Cloud Videoconferencing Platform experienced a system wide outage that has impacted the Court’s ability to begin its virtual court calls on time.   Most virtual courts are now up and running.

If you are having any trouble connecting to a virtual courtroom, it is recommended that you first download the Zoom Desktop Application (or Zoom App for you Smartphone) and try to connect again.  As an alternative, you may dial-in by calling 312-626-6799 and then enter the Zoom Meeting ID and Password for the virtual courtroom you are appearing in.