Options for lawyers in a charitable mood on Giving Tuesday

The Illinois Bar Foundation is making a special Giving Tuesday push for money to support its work "ensuring equal access to justice across the state and providing aid to attorneys in need."

Persons donating to IBF via the organization's Facebook page may have their gifts matched by "Meta" (Facebook's new corporate face) until Meta shells out $8 million matching donations to the IBF and who knows how many other charities that have signed up for this program (Mr. Zuckerberg must be skipping lunch today).

The Lawyers' Assistance Program also has a special Giving Tuesday pitch. Here's a link to the LAP donation page. LAP offers this graphic showing exactly how your donations can translate into specific services:

Also, the Diversity Scholarship Foundation Unity Gala and Awards Ceremony is tonight (the virtual reception starts at 5:00 p.m.) Tickets may still be obtained at this link.

Advertisement: Victory Research offers services to judicial candidates

To all Judicial candidates, just because the state delayed the primary for three months, that doesn't mean you should delay your campaign. Consider the three months a gift from God to get better organized. I believe those who wait will face an uphill battle to win the primary. Please call Victory Research (312-388-1782) to talk about how we might help you win June 28th. We have helped put two dozen judges on the bench and we can help you too. Visit https://www.illinoispoliticalblog.com.

Some last minute advice for those dreading the Holiday get together

Dr. Fauci says it's OK for families to gather at someone's home for Thanksgiving. Actually, he said it's OK if all eligible persons are fully vaxxed and boostered (there's a new verb for you) and maybe if there's a window open (well, the oven's on, isn't it, so that's not too much a stretch) and if no one inhales too deeply. Something like that.

But we're Americans -- we're vague on details -- so once Dr. Fauci said OK all hesistation was thrown to the winds and, across this great land of ours, vast hordes of relatives, some of whom have had no contact with one another for 20 months, have begun converging. Vaccinated and unvaccinated alike.

And you, Dear Reader, are panicking: We are told that Thanksgiving dinners are supposed to be like this --

-- but we all know that the actual events can go from awkward to angry in a heartbeat. Especially if dinner is delayed past halftime of the Dallas game. In vino veritas? Well, sometimes, too much vino can unleash some unfortunate pent-up sentiments.

And that was before Covid.

In My Fair Lady Professor Higgins advises Eliza Doolittle (going to her first Ascot races) to stick to two subjects, the weather and everybody's health.

But even that list is too long for 2021. Someone will inquire about another's health... and the subject of masks and vaccinations will invariably surface... and the conversation may veer from awkward to angry to explosive. Frozen turkey in the deep fryer explosive. COVID!

Maybe sports can be substituted as a safe conversation topic.

The Beloved Bears are playing Detroit in a little while. And, in Chicago, at least, there is a common affection, among the vaccinated and unvaccinated alike, for the Beloved. Unless your family has one of those Packer fans. Many do. Some from contrariness. Some because the Bears basically sucked when they were growing up.

The Packers aren't playing today -- it's true -- but someone may mention Aaron Rodgers -- who had COVID! And maybe has Covid toe.

And, all of a sudden, we're back in the deep fryer.

At this moment, you're feeling nostalgic for the days when it was only politics that marred holiday gatherings. Or for the aunt who insisted on tousling your hair and pinching your cheeks when you were over 30.

But it's OK. These awkward holiday dinners are a great opportunity for you and yours to remember that what you share with your family is more important than any of these unimportant things that divide us. And make gatherings awkward sometimes. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Just don't talk about COVID!

Cook County budget amendments provide funding for 24/7 Domestic Violence court, pay raises for jurors and private attorneys representing indigent litigants

A press release issued by the Chief Judge's Office yesterday afternoon:

The Circuit Court of County will fund a plan that will more than double pay for jurors, improve and expand services for survivors of domestic violence, and increase pay to private attorneys representing indigent persons, according to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

The new programs will cost the court $2.82 million for 2022, under amendments to the court’s budget passed unanimously by the Cook County Board of Commissioners today. The court will pay for the improvements through delays in filling vacancies of court personnel, reducing the contract budget for the Juvenile Division, and increasing the contribution of fee collections from special-purpose funds.

The amendments provide funding both to address the immediate needs of Domestic Violence Court operations and to establish 24 hour/7 days a week operations for Domestic Violence. Fees for jury service to both petit and grand jurors increase from $14.50 per day to $30 per day, and the related transportation stipend increases from $2.70 per day to $5 per day, effective June 1, 2022. Finally, the rates of compensation for the legal representation of indigent litigants will also increase, effective June 1, 2022.

“These changes are of crucial importance to the administration of justice in Cook County,” said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. “While it has required sacrifices from our office, we believe these sacrifices are needed to improve services for those who come before the court, either as jurors, complaining witnesses, or as defendants.”

Judge Evans noted that juror pay has not changed for decades, despite increased costs of transportation, parking, and other goods and services. “We need to respect the time and effort it takes to serve on a jury, which is such a critical part of our justice system under the U.S. Constitution,” Judge Evans said.

In October, Judge Evans formed a committee to review the practices and procedures governing the hearing of domestic violence matters throughout the court, and to review the organization and efficiency of Domestic Violence Division operations at all courthouses where domestic violence matters are heard. The committee, chaired by Domestic Relations Division Presiding Judge Grace G. Dickler, includes judges in the Domestic Relations, Domestic Violence and Child Protection Divisions, advocates for domestic violence victims, and representatives of the private bar, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the Cook County Board.

The funding will pay for additional personnel and equipment, including 40 laptop computers, to boost current operations and allow for 24/7 access to emergency orders of protection for domestic violence survivors.

“The court recognizes that petitioners in Domestic Violence cases are often undergoing tremendous stress and may face physical danger, and that they cannot wait for regular business hours to obtain emergency protective orders,” Judge Evans said. “The establishment of these new procedures, funded in our 2022 budget, is intended to make judges available 24/7 to rule on these critical matters. I would like to thank the board commissioners, advocates and other county officials for working with the court to develop these improvements.”

The additional funding for private attorneys representing indigent clients recognizes the important work done by these attorneys, and brings their pay more in line with pay for similar work in other jurisdictions. Pay is going up from $75 per hour to $112.50 per hour for in-court proceedings and from $50 to $75 for out-of-court preparation, effective for services provided on or after June 1, 2022.

DSF announces award winners for upcoming Unity Gala; tickets now on sale

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation's annual Unity Gala will be online again this year.

The event is set for Tuesday, November 30, starting at 5:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are priced from $150.

The DSF has announced winners of several awards to be conferred at the Unity Gala.

Illinois House Speaker Emmanuel "Chris" Welch will receive the organization's Unity Award. State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (17th) will receive the Hon. Laura Liu Access to Justice Award. The following individuals will be recognized as Advocates for Diversity:

• Erica N. Byrd, Senior Attorney, Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel,


• Hon. Megan Goldish, Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County,


• Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner, Romanucci Blandin Law,


• Jennifer L. Rosato-Perea, Dean and Professor of Law, DePaul College of Law,


• Marvet Sweis Drnovsek, Founder, MSD Injury Lawyers, and


• Adam M. Zebelian, Associate, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck.

In addition, the DSF will bestow scholarships on 21 students attending area law schools.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available on this page of the DSF website; more information may be obtained by emailing dsfchicago@gmail.com.

Advocates offer free CLE tonight

The Advocates Society, the Association of Polish-American Attorneys, is holding its November general meeting online this evening -- a virtual cocktail at 6:30, the Advocates regular meeting at 7:00, but, after this business has been concluded, the Advocates are offering a one-hour free CLE program entitled, "Practice Management: How to Take Time Off for the Holidays."

That seems timely.

The presenter will be Melanie Leonard, the founder and CEO of Streamlined Legal.

To sign up for the program, you must send your full name and ARDC nunber to the Advocates' CLE coordinator, Eryk Wachnik at eryk@wachniklaw.com before the program.

I'm a little wary of putting Zoom meeting details out on the Intertubes where anyone might find them and potentially misuse them, but I assume Mr. Wachnik will be able to provide you with the requisite links if you email him soon. I'll update if necessary.

Chief Justice and Illinois Mental Health Task Force to Host Mental Health Summit Report Release Web Event and Issue a Call to Action

That's a long headline, but it's the one used by the Supreme Court press office in this news release issued Monday:

The prevalence of mental illness and co-occurring disorders is greatly impacting our nation, each of our states, and our communities, and has a disproportionate effect on our courts and justice system. As part of that National Initiative, the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators hosted a Midwest Regional Summit in October 2019 in Deadwood, South Dakota. Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke and Illinois State Court Administrator Marcia Meis assembled and led an Illinois delegation at the Summit.

Upon returning to Illinois, the delegation met monthly and formed the Illinois Supreme Court’s Mental Health Task Force and began planning an Illinois Mental Health Summit. The Summit series, Improving the Court and Community Response to Persons with Mental Illness and Co-Occurring Disorders through Compassion and Hope, convened by Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke, was held virtually over six sessions taking place from September-December 2020. As a final product the summit series, through financial support of the State Justice Institute, the National Center for State Courts drafted and issued the attached 2020 Illinois Mental Health Summit Report.

The Illinois Supreme Court and National Center for State Courts are hosting a Report Release Web Event: A Call to Action on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. to present an overview of national initiatives, report findings, and Illinois Mental Health Task Force next steps.

Registration info is available at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8_47ZvALQLKE0nDMFEC2Ug.

Ultimately, the results of the Regional Mapping Workshops will inform a statewide vision of what a behavioral health continuum of care with multiple diversion pathways should look like in Illinois and lead to development of a plan and pilot projects to improve court and community responses to mental health and co-occurring disorders. After completion of the Resource Mapping Workshops, we hope that each community and region will sustain efforts through ongoing Councils or leveraging efforts through collaboration with established coordinating councils, task forces, and coalitions.

“The release of the Summit Report and the recent hire of a Statewide Behavioral Health Administrator to facilitate the Task Force equips the Supreme Court with a road map and resource to continue leading change at the intersection of behavioral health and justice. My Supreme Court colleagues and I thank everyone involved in the summit series and heeding this call to action” said Hon. Chief Justice Anne M. Burke.

For further information regarding the Illinois Mental Health Task Force, please visit Illinois Mental Health Task Force (illinoiscourts.gov) or contact Scott Block, Statewide Behavioral Health Administrator, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts at sblock@illinoiscourts.gov.

And how are you celebrating World Kindness Day?

I would have missed this entirely but for a reader who kindly tipped me off that today, November 13, is World Kindness Day.

You know World Kindness Day is a real thing, because it has its own Wikipedia page (linked above) and because CNN has a story about it.

I hope it becomes an even bigger thing because, well, the world (and all of us in it) could use a lot more kindness. However you celebrate, celebrate responsibly.

New countywide vacancy opens with retirement of Judge Margaret A. Brennan

Judge Margaret A. Brennan has retired from the Cook County bench, opening a new countywide vacancy in time for the 2022 primary.

According to this press release, Judge Brennan has joined ADR Systems as a member of its panel of senior mediators and arbitrators.

First elected to the Circuit bench in 2002, Brennan was retained in 2008, 2014, and 2020.

The most recent Who Sits Where post has been updated accordingly.

Cardenas to kick off campaign for Board of Review on Veterans Day

Posted at the request of a friend of this site....

You may well ask, what relevance does this event have for the prospective Cook County judicial candidate? (Some FWIW readers get a tad miffed if I stray beyond the narrow confines of judicial elections.)

The answer to said question, truthfully, is not a whole heck of a lot. Ald. George Cardenas is also the Committeeperson of Chicago's 12th Ward and, presumably, it never hurts to try and catch the eye of any committeeperson (one down, you may think to yourself, but 79 to go). And, of course, the committeeperson making his or her own grab for a higher rung on the cursus honorum is less likely than most to be fascinated by your judicial ambitions. Or to even pretend to be.

Ald. Cardenas is not even on the countywide slating committee (though he is on the judicial retention committee).

So the benefits for the judicial wannabe are tangential... at best. Perhaps you'll meet someone. Perhaps someone will see you and remember your face. There's always an opportunity for a social media post of some kind. If you can get someone to pose with you.

But did you notice the price? If the above announcement may be believed, the event Thursday evening, starting at 6:00 p.m., at Radius, 640 West Cermak, is... dare I say it... free. Quoting now from the blurb itself: The event promises "[c]omplimentary food & drinks from outstanding local chefs."

You will not find many political events in this price range.

It's true -- and almost certain -- that you, the hopeful candidate, will be largely ignored, and perhaps completely ignored unless you happen to meet someone you know socially. That's just the nature of campaigning. But there are plenty of events where you can pay a pretty penny for admission -- and be equally ignored. So this may be worth considering. If you have the time.

Registration is required. Click here to reach the Eventbrite link.

Advocates Society accepting applications for law school scholarships until November 15

While, presumably, for most FWIW readers, law school is but a happy (or unhappy... maybe even largely suppressed) memory, readers may know of students who might be interested....

The Advocates Society, the Association of Polish-American Attorneys, is accepting applications for its annual scholarships to students attending law school in Illinois. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2021.

All the details, and a financial aid application, may be found at this page of the Advocates website. In general, however, full-time students enrolled at fully accredited U.S. colleges or universities are eligible to apply. Here are some of the other basic requirements and criteria announced by the Advocates:

1. Seniors at the undergraduate level may apply if they have been accepted at an accredited law school (students deferring acceptance will forfeit any scholarship, but may reapply at a later date);


2. Graduate students pursuing a juris doctorate degree may also apply;


3. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen of Polish heritage or documented legal alien of Polish heritage or affinity;


4. Applicants must be in good academic standing and document financial need;


5. Applicants cannot be a member, family member, substantial contributor or a family member of a substantial contributor of the Polish-American Advocates Scholarship Foundation;


6. Applicants must be a resident of the Chicago Metro area for at least 4 years prior to application (proof required); and


7. Applicants must be able to attend an interview in late November VIA ZOOM and an Awards Presentation Ceremony in mid-December of 2021.

New date announced for 2021 Diversity Scholarship Fund Unity Gala

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation had been aiming for an in-person Unity Gala this year; the date and location of DSF's planned in-person Unity Gala has been on its website for some time.

But DSF has determined that it is best to go the virtual route for another year, and the forthcoming annual Unity Gala has been moved from a hotel ballroom to a screen near you and the date has been changed, as per the announcement above, to November 30.

This year's award winners have not yet been announced, but early tickets are available for $150 each. A bronze sponsorship (for $1,500) is also available. Tickets and the bronze-level sponsorship opportunity are available by clicking here. Inquiries about other sponsorship opportunities should be directed to dsfchicago@gmail.com.

Another fundraiser that may be of interest to Cook County Judicial hopefuls

If you read the newspapers, what's left of 'em, or watch television news, you probably think first and foremost of Don Harmon, pictured here, as State Senate President Don Harmon.

But what matters so much more to the aspiring Cook County judicial candidate is another of Mr. Harmon's titles, namely, Chair of the Circuit Court Committee of the Cook County Democratic Party.

And the Chair of the Circuit Court Committee is having a fundraiser, Wednesday, November 10, starting at 7:30 p.m., at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, in Berwyn. Tickets are $100 each and, of course, sponsorships are available (Front Row Seat - $300, Backstage Pass - $500, Talent Scout - $1,000, All Access Pass - $2,500, or I'm With the Band - $5,000). Two admission tickets come with each sponsorship. To purchase tickets, click on this ActBlue weblink.

Mind you, showing up for a fundraiser (even if you actually pay for your ticket -- even if you in fact kick in for a sponsorship) will not get anybody slated. It may help get you noticed, bringing you to the attention of persons who might... someday... maybe... if (and only if) it suits their purposes... assist your ambitions. So, please, don't spend the mortgage money or the grocery money on a quixotic trip to Berwyn (or anywhere else). But I note this fundraiser for the potential benefit of the unconnected judicial wannabes who may have the discretionary income, and spare time, to indulge in such activities and who (being unconnected) would not otherwise hear of this event.

And one other thing, from the FitzGerald's website:

If you go, bring your vax card.

A different "Road to the Robe" on November 18

If I were the artsy type, I'd spout a little Robert Frost here. You know....

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth....

Except -- if you're thinking of running for judicial office -- there is no one road. There are many. And you have to find your way down as many of them as you can. This is so even if your local Democratic committeeperson (and BFF) has promised you on a stack of Bibles yea high that you are a lock-cinch-certainty to be slated. Because slating alone does not guarantee victory. You have to build your own winning coalition (although, admittedly, it'd be really great if your BFF can actually deliver that slating-building-block for you) and, believe you me, as long as you do get slated (they do get a tad miffed if you try and win without their support), the Democratic Party of Cook County will be all for your branching out.

Moreover, Mr. or Ms. Lawyer-Who-Wants-to-be-Judge, when you do research, do you stop when you find the first case that seems to apply to your situation? Of course not. You keep looking, checking out the alternatives, never knowing what may prove the most persuasive.

Therefore, you may be interested to learn that the Office of Alumni Relations & Development of the Law School formerly known as John Marshall is holding its own online Road to the Robe event on Thursday, November 18, starting at 5:00 p.m.

The program will consist of two panel discussions, the first moderated by Appellate Court Justice (and 1982 JMLS alum) Jesse Reyes, entitled "Journey To The Robe," and the second, starting at 6:00 p.m., entitled "Navigating the Process," moderated by James Nally (a 1984 JMLS alum), Legal Counsel to the County Clerk (and, before he moved to the Clerk's Office, an experienced election attorney). To register for the program, click on this Eventbrite link.

Upcoming Cook County Democratic fundraisers that may be of interest to local judicial candidates

I did a list like this last month. I felt a little guilty about it at the time; you can read my self-serving rationalization for printing the list if you follow the link in the preceding sentence.

I assumed someone had sent me the list by accident; I never expected to see another one. After all, I'm just a nobody that nobody sent.

But, lo and behold, tucked in among all the urgent and ultra-urgent Virginia election emails clogging my email in the last several days (I knew they were redrawing boundaries, but I didn't realize they were redrawing them so dramatically*) was another email providing a list of Illinois House Democratic fundraisers at which Cook County judicial candidates, or at least those Cook County judicial candidates with sufficient discretionary income, might go to see and be seen. For that reason, I've purged the list of non-Cook County reps -- probably not a sufficient ROI for attending collar county or Downstate events. Herewith, then, the edited list:

Representative La Shawn K Ford Virtual Fundraiser
Tuesday, November 9 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Individual Ticket: $150
Sponsorships: $500 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $5,000
Make checks payable to:

Citizens to Elect La Shawn K Ford
912 S Mayfield
Chicago, IL 60644

RSVP to Bernie at BWilliams@HDemsIL.com
Zoom link will be emailed upon RSVP


Representative Lakesia Collins Karaoke Birthday Fundraiser Wednesday, November 10 | 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Carpenter's Union Hall, 12 E. Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611
Community Ticket: $25 | General Ticket: $50
Sponsorships: $500 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 Purchase a ticket online at: bit.ly/friendsoflakesia
Make checks payable to:

Friends of Lakesia 1501 N. Clybourn Ave, Unit D Chicago, IL 60610

Fundraiser In Support of Leader Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Thursday, November 11 | 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Gladys' Restaurant, 1225 E 87th St, Chicago, IL 60619
Ticket: $33
Sponsorships: $250 | $500 | $1,500
Purchase a ticket online at: ilevans.com
Make checks payable to:

Citizens for Marcus C Evans, Jr., P.O. Box 641514
Chicago, IL 60664

RSVP to info@craticshaffer.com

Holiday Reception Hosted by The Ironworkers District Council of Chicago & Vicinity in Support of Leaders Manley, L. Hernandez, Evans, Hoffman and Reps. Greenwood, Ortiz, Collins, Vella, and B. Hernandez**
Thursday, December 9 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Moe's Cantina River North, Cava Room, 155 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Ticket: $500
Sponsorships: $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000
Make checks payable to:

• Friends of Natalie Manley, 1927 Timbers Edge Circle, Joliet, IL 60431
• Citizens for Elizabeth Hernandez, P.O. Box 50777, Cicero, IL 60804
• Citizens for Marcus C Evans, Jr., P.O. Box 641514, Chicago, IL 60664
• Committee to Elect Jay C Hoffman, P.O. Box 23738, Belleville, IL 62223
• Friends of Latoya N Greenwood, 5111 W Main St, Belleville, IL 62226
• Friends of Aaron Ortiz, P.O. Box 32213, Chicago, IL 60632
• Friends of Lakesia, 1501 N. Clybourn Ave, Unit D, Chicago, IL 60610
• Friends of Dave Vella, 3235 Windsong Ct, Rockford, IL 61114
• Friends for Barbara Hernandez, P.O. Box 7263, Aurora, IL 60507

RSVP to Andrew at ak@sanbornwilliams.com

------------------------------------------------------
* Our beloved State of Illinois was once arguably part of Virginia -- at least that's what the Virginians claimed -- until the passage of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

** Lots of non-Cook County beneficiaries specified for this event, obviously, but if you can't figure out who is where, perhaps your discretionary income might be better spent on geography lessons.

Navarro named acting presiding judge of the Pretrial Division

An announcement from the Office of the Chief Judge:

As of Monday, November 1, the Hon. David Navarro is the new acting presiding judge of the Pretrial Division, according to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

Judge Navarro, who had previously served as supervising judge of the division, was first appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in May 2017 and was elected in November 2018.

“Judge Navarro has shown tremendous dedication and skill in his years in the Pretrial Division, including as a supervising judge, and I am confident that he will succeed in this new leadership role,” said Judge Evans.

Before his appointment to the judiciary, Judge Navarro had been chief of the Public Integrity Bureau at the Illinois Attorney General’s office. He also has served as an assistant state’s attorney for Cook County. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law, and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago.

“I am humbled by the appointment and will do my best to serve the citizens of Cook County,” Judge Navarro said.

Judge Navarro is on the board of directors of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and the Illinois Latino Judges Association. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the Loyola University School of Law, where he teaches trial practice.

The Pretrial Division conducts the initial proceedings in various criminal cases, and is in session every day of the year, including weekends and court holidays. Judge Navarro replaces former Pretrial Division Presiding Judge John P. Kirby, who has moved to the Law Division.

The Hon. Mary C. Marubio has been named the new supervising judge of the Pretrial Division. Both Judge Navarro and Judge Marubio have been in the Pretrial Division since it was established in September 2017.

41st Ward sets November 16 endorsement session

The 41st Ward Democrats are planning an endorsement session on Tuesday, November 16, at a location to be determined.

To be determined? you ask. Well, the session will be open to all 41st Ward residents who are also paying members -- the membership fee is, not conincedentally, $41 (here's the PayPal link if you need it) -- and I'm reasonably certain that, as soon as the membership money is received, interested persons can find out the location of the endorsement session.

Endorsements will be made for Statewide offices, and Countywide offices, and Cook County Commissioner, and MWRD Commissioner, and for the House and Senate Districts that carve up the ward.

But read the fine print: There will be a separate endorsement session for all judicial candidates.

For more information, email 41st Ward Committeeman Joe Cook at joecook79@gmail.com.

In other news from the 41st Ward Democrats, tomorrow, November 3, is the deadline to order lawn signs or t-shirts supporting the Road Home Program at Rush Medical Center. For more information about the 41st Ward Democrats fundraising campaign, click here.

Nov. 4 Joint Dinner honoring Judge Sybil Thomas

The Cook County Bar Association, in conjunction with the Illinois Judicial Conference, the Black Women Lawyers' Association, and the Black Men Lawyers' Association, is hosting a dinner in honor of Cook County Associate Judge Sybil C. Thomas this Wednesday evening at the Park Supper Club, 65 E. Garfield Blvd.

According to Ticket Falcon, this event is already sold out.

Illinois Bar Foundation to host True Crime Authors' Q & A this Thursday evening

The Illiois Bar Foundation will present a virtual program featuring true crime authors Gary V. Johnson and Jeffrey Dean Doty this Thursday evening, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. IBF Board Member Richard L. Turner will moderate the question and answer session on Zoom.

Tickets for the Zoom event only are $25 each. Tickets including either Gary Johnson's book, "Luck is a Talent," or Jeffry Doty's book, "A Convenient Man" (based on the Maria Rudolph case out of Sycamore, Illinois) are $40 each. An event ticket and a copy of both these books may be obtained for $50. For tickets click here.

Sponsorships are still availble as well and may be obtained at the same webpage (Bronze - $250, Silver - $500, Gold - $1,000). Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the Access to Justice and Lawyers Care programs of the Illinois Bar Foundation.

Still thinking about running for judge? The Democratic Party is still looking for you

The Cook County Democratic Party had one of these in March. They're doing it again, this Wednesday, November 3, from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m., via Zoom

I refer to the Party's "Road to the Robe" presentation.

This will be an "abbreviated" session for those who were unavailable to attend the March presentation.

Admission is free, but registration is required. Register online or call (312) 263-0575.