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.

From: CNBC

It turns out that ditching the commute and working from home in your sweats is not all it’s cracked up to be.  Juggling your work and home life, Zoom calls instead of in-person meetings and possibly parenting and home schooling kids, it’s no wonder Americans are exhausted. In fact, in a recent Monster survey, 51% of respondents admitted to experiencing burnout while working from home during the coronavirus pandemic. 

From: Personnel Today

Going about your day-to-day life, you’re more than likely to stick on your favourite playlist in the background. Whether you’re in the car, at the gym or sitting at your desk, your favourite artist is no doubt keeping you company through your speakers. But have you ever stopped to consider how the music you listen to is affecting your brain?

The idea that music can aid productivity in the workplace is not as new as many might imagine.

From: Cook County Circuit Clerk

Judge Evans' May 28th Order has been entered, extending matters to July 6.  We have posted a copy in the members' Resource Center for your convenience.

From: IL Supreme Court

Court reestablishment plans for each circuit as well as other #COVID19 resources for courts are listed on the Illinois Supreme Court's website. Check back often!