From: Cook County-Chancery Division

All matters are stayed/reset to a date after July 6, and then Chancery will begin to hear cases following a triage method. Courtesy copies may continue to be delivered via email. 

From: Cook County Judges

For Cook County, all cases scheduled between June 1, 2020 and July 3, 2020 will be rescheduled and all parties of record will receive electronic or postcard notice of their new court date.

The Law Division is in the process of drafting a new General Administrative Order that will be issued on or before July 3, 2020 that will vacate and supersede all previous Law Division General Administrative Orders that relate to Covid-19 procedures. The new General Administrative Order will provide for the resumption of all court activities excluding jury trials. 

From: Illinois Supreme Court

The Illinois Supreme Court on June 9 amended Rules 501, 526, 556, and 585. All changes go into effect July 1. The amendments relate to classifications of and bail requirements for certain traffic offenses. 

From: Federal Bar Association-Chicago Chapter

Free virtual event: Join the us next week for the Annual State of the Court Address by Chief Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer! This event is limited to 250 people, so register as soon as possible!

From: The American Bar Association

Mental health is always a relevant topic, but the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of self-care, support and awareness needed to maintain good mental health. The ABA’s Commission on Lawyer’s Assistance Programs has provided a number of mental health resources for legal professionals that may be helpful during these challenging and unpredictable times.

Being silent is easy but we feel it is unacceptable. The Board members of the Chicago Paralegal Association stand against racism, discrimination, and the abuse of the law. The Board members believe that the right to due process of law should be provided equally to everyone. We also believe that individuals in whom the public trusts to uphold the law should be held to the same standards as every other American. Chicago is a phenomenal place, and the Association strives to help create a stronger, more welcoming, and more just city.

We have worked hard to create a diverse Board, and will continue to recruit members with diverse voices and viewpoints, but we can always do more. We believe in justice and equality for all, and will continue to actively inform and educate ourselves and our general membership to foster and promote an inclusive community.  We will also continue to reach out to legal aid organizations to offer our help. Individuals in need of legal resources can contact the National Lawyers Guild Chicago’s Criminal Defense Coordinator at 773-309-1198, or email the Guild at nlg.chi.crimdefense@gmail.com.

https://nlgchicago.org/programs/criminal_defense/

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

From: DuPage County Courts

DuPage County Courts to Resume Court Operations - Beginning June 8, 2020, courts in the 18th Judicial Circuit (DuPage County) will resume hearing all court matters either in-person or by remote means. Read the court's Order (AO-20) and press release.

From: Clerk of the Circuit Cook for Cook County

In an effort to provide varied channels for the public to get accurate court hearing dates, the Clerk’s Office has established specific email addresses and telephone numbers to use for requesting court dates for civil, traffic, and criminal cases; is promoting utilizing its FREE MOBILE APP, COURT CLERK MOBILE CONNECT, for obtaining civil case type information, including Domestic Relations, Probate, Chancery, Law, County, and Civil Divisions, and Suburban Districts or for Traffic cases; and providing instructions on how to search for civil case type information on the Clerk’s Office’s website, where one can search by name or case number for civil type cases, or by traffic ticket or driver’s license numbers for traffic cases. 

From: Paladin and The Chicago Bar Foundation

Check out the many pro bono opportunities such as the Legal Content Volunteers (LCV). LCVs are legal professionals who share their subject matter expertise to help us make sure that the information on our site is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible to our readers. Volunteer attorneys and paralegals draft, edit, and update online legal articles and resources for ILAO’s website and mobile app. Volunteers can work remotely, and all work and communication can be accomplished online, making this a great opportunity for the busy professional who wants to volunteer on their own schedule. ILAO staff will assign discrete writing/editing projects in the volunteer’s area of substantive expertise.

From: WorkItDaily

There are a host online courses available to help people level up in their careers, or learn new skills entirely.

But, to fully take advantage of online courses, you need to have your priorities in order and know exactly what you want to accomplish.

Some courses are offered for free, but there are also many that cost money. As you review available online courses and determine what's worth taking, you may have to consider both finances and time constraints. Consider these four categories when choosing online courses.