The Docket - October 2023

DOCKET THE

2023 LCBA OFFICE RENTAL PRICING

CONFERENCE ROOM

For meetings only. Seats 16 – 20 comfortably

During business hours (8 am – 5 pm)

• Member- Free

• Non-Member $150/1st hour. $50/hour after

• Non-Member, Not-for-Profit: $25/hour

After Hours (5 pm – 9 pm)

• Member - $25 per hour

• Non-Member – Not Available

• Non-Member, Not-for-Profit: $50 per hour

MEMBER CENTER “The Bar”

Accommodates up to 100 people

During business hours (8 am – 5 pm)

Members (add $25/hour for after hour events)

• Meeting only (individual or group, no food or beverages served: Free

• Self-Service reception or party (provide own alcoholic beverages): $50 per hour

• Hosted beer & wine reception or party (beer & wine provided by Association): $250/ 1st hour, $50/hour after

Non-Members: (add $50/hour for after hour events)

• Meeting only (individual or group, no food or beverages served): $50 per hour

• Self-Service reception or party (provide own alcoholic beverages and food): $300/ 1st hour, $50/hour after

• Hosted beer & wine reception or party – Not Available

Non-Member, Not-for-Profit: (add $25/hour for after hour events)

• Meeting only (individual or group, no food or beverages served): $25 per hour

• Self-Service reception or party (provide own alcoholic beverages and food): $150/1st hour, $25/hour after

• Hosted beer & wine reception or party – Not Available

Association Committee Meetings (Conference Room or Member Center)

Without beer & Wine - Free

With Hosted Beer & Wine - $150 flat fee (for 5 – 15 people), $200 (over 15 people)

Room rentals are based on availability. Rentals include use of A/V already in room (phone, TV, Speaker. WIFI).

All rentals include free parking in our large, well-lit, 45 vehicle parking lot adjacent to the LCBA building.

THE DOCKET EDITORIAL BOARD

Jeffrey A. Berman,Co-Editor

Hon. Charles D. Johnson,Co-Editor

Jennifer C. Beeler

Kevin Berrill

Hon. Bolling W. Haxall

Hon. Daniel L. Jasica

Hon. Christopher M. Kennedy

Jennifer Luczkowiak

Kevin K. McCormick

Shyama Parikh

Stephen J. Rice

Neal A. Simon

Hon. James K. Simonian

Rebecca J. Whitcombe

Alex Zagor

STAFF

Greg Weider Executive Director

Jose Gonzalez

Assistant Executive Director

Nancy Rodriguez Receptionist

COLUMNS

2 President’s Page Get Ready For the New Case Management System In Lake County

BY KATHARINE HATCH, PRESIDENT

4 The Chief Judge’s Page eCourt is Here!

BY CHIEF JUDGE MARK L. LEVITT

6 Bar Foundation Fall is in the Air

BY JOANN FRATIANI,

PRESIDENT

8 Meet the Board Danny Hodgkinson

20 Board of Directors’ Meeting Minutes

August 17, 2023

BY JEFFREY BERMAN, SECRETARY

FURTHER INFORMATION

IFC Office Rental Pricing

3 Calendar of Events

3 New LCBA Members

3 Solo & Small Firm Social

5 Lake County Bar Foundation

7 Family Law Seminar

11 Cubs Game Social Sponsors

12 Cubs Game Social

15 Upcoming Luncheons

16 Monthly Committee Meetings

BC Member Reception Sponsorship Opportunities

Advertising Rates

To place an ad or for information on advertising rates, call (847) 244-3143. Submission deadline: first day of month preceding the month of publication. All submissions must be made in electronic format (high resolution PDF or JPG format at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch or more.) See www.lakebar.org/page/Docket_Advertising

The Docket is the official publication of the Lake County Bar Association, 300 Grand Avenue, Suite A, Waukegan, Illinois 60085 (847) 2443143, and is published monthly. Subscriptions for non-members are $45.00 per year.

Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. The opinions and positions stated in signed material are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Association or its members.

All submitted manuscripts are considered by the Editorial Board. All letters to the editor and articles are subject to editing. Publications of advertisements is not to be considered as an endorsement of any product or service advertised unless otherwise stated.

Get Ready For the New Case Management System In Lake County

The Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court is in the final stages of implementing a new and modern case management system that will profoundly impact all participants in

the court system. The LCBA, in conjunction with the Courts, conducted a training on the new system in early September, which you can view on the Court’s webpage: https://19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us.

Modernizing the Circuit Court case management systems represents a profound opportunity to enhance both efficiency within the legal process and access to justice by providing analytic tools that promote data-driven decision making. Efficiency is vital to reducing backlog, expediting cases, and ensuring that justice is served swiftly and fairly. In this column I will explore the exciting opportunities that will arise from the new modernized case management system in terms of efficiency and improved access to justice.

Importantly, modern case management systems offer powerful data analytic

tools that can provide valuable insights into core performance, case trends, and resource allocation. Judges and court administrators can make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency, allocate resources more effectively, and identify areas where reforms may be needed. Data-driven decision making can also lead to more equitable outcomes in the criminal justice system.

Another significant advantage of modernizing the Circuit Court case management system is the ability to streamline case processing. The automation of administrative tasks, such as case filing, scheduling and record keeping, reduces the burden on court staff and allows judges and lawyers to focus on substantive legal issues. With digital case management, the court can significantly reduce the time required to process cases, helping to clear backlogs

KATHARINE HATCH PRESIDENT

and reduce delays.

Access to justice is a fundamental principle that underpins the American legal system. However, it is often impeded by logistical and financial barriers. Modern case management systems can bridge this gap by offering online access to court records, case updates, and scheduling information. This accessibility empowers citizens to participate more effectively in their cases, reducing the need for physical appearances and making the legal process more user friendly.

The new case management system will increase transparency, which is essential to maintaining public trust in the justice system. Transparency is promoted by providing people with real-time access to case information, decisions, and court records. Citizens can track the progress of their cases, view court orders, and

gain a better understanding of the legal process. This transparency fosters confidence in the court system and enhances the public perception of justice.

Modernizing the Court’s case management system is a transformative endeavor, and all transformations take time, so the players are asking for “space

and grace” during this process. Practically speaking, practitioners will need to bring laptops to court because of the increased electronic aspects of the

system, including for submitting court orders. After the pain of transformation is endured, we will all benefit from a more equitable and efficient legal system.

Welcome

New LCBA Members

ATTORNEY

George Gomez

George Gomez Law

Vanessa Sheehan

Donahue and Walsh

Kevin C. Rasp

O’Hagan Meyer LLC

SOLO & SMALL FIRM COMMITTEE

The

Calendar of Events

2023 Committee

Chili Cookoff

October 5 5:00 PM LCBA Office Civil Trial & Appeals Committee Meeting

October 11 12:00 PM Virtual

Pro Bono Awards Luncheon

October 17 12:15 PM

Waukegan City Hall

Solo & Small Firm Committee Social

October 18 5:30 PM

Harbor Kitchen & Tap Libertyville

2023 Family Law

Mid-Year Seminar

October 26 - 27

College of Lake County Grayslake Campus

ARDC Update Luncheon

November 14

eCourt is Here!

Happy October! This month has a ton to offer. Things to look forward to, large and small.

October is the month that brings us cooler temperatures, falling leaves, Halloween, and pumpkin-spiced-everything! Fun, fun, fun! This year, in addition to all of the usual October events there will be ONE event that eclipses them all. October 2023 will always be remembered as GO-LIVE for the 19th Judicial Circuit’s new case management system—eCourt!

I am well aware that this has been a long and drawn-out process. I am also aware that many of you may be suffering from case management exhaustion, and you haven’t even begun to use our new system. It is certainly worth reminding everyone that was not simply the development of one new system for the court and clerk. Our ven-

dor, in conjunction with all of the justice partners, has been actually developing and working to implement three separate systems simultaneously.

In practical terms, this has meant not just simply working on the systems themselves, but also creating systems for communication and coordination for the Circuit Clerk, Sheriff, State’s Attorney, Public Defender and the Court. Each layer of each system had to be developed and thoroughly tested individually before they could be linked and tested together. It certainly isn’t hard to imagine what a difficult and time-consuming project this has been.

Once all of the systems reached the point that they could be linked, the process of testing and re-developing where necessary began again. In this critical phase every aspect of day-to-day use had to be meticulously

vetted to ensure that any glitches would be identified and remedied prior to the actual go-live date. Layered on top of all of this was the development of training for each of the justice partners and all of the end users.

I know that by now most of you are somewhat familiar with what this entails for you, and for the court, but I thought I would take this opportunity to “socialize” some aspects of our new system with all of you.

In order to access the main portal, individuals and law firms will have to register on the Clerk’s system. Attorneys will have the ability to pre-register using the link provided by the Clerk and accessed through websites maintained by the Clerk, the Court, and the Lake County Bar Association. Once registered, attorneys and authorized users will be able to navigate through the system.

BY CHIEF JUDGE MARK L. LEVITT

Access to all critical court information and docketing will be found on the portal. It is extremely important to note that while attorneys will have the ability to submit proposed orders via the eCourt Portal, this is not the equivalent of e-filing. Orders submitted through the portal will be automatically routed to the judge assigned to the case. Proposed orders that are submitted to the court will either be accepted and signed or rejected by the court. Parties submitting orders that are rejected will receive an email notification. If the order is accepted, the judge will sign the proposed orders and submit it to the Clerk’s office for filing. The final court order will then be available on the eCourt portal.

E-filing will continue in the same manner through E-File Illinois. The version of E-file currently being used

ChiefPageJudge’s The

is in the process of being upgraded. The new E-file system is being designed to operate seamlessly within our case management system at go-live. Case information maintained on eCourt will be made available in the eCourt portal. All information will be available to all immediately upon go-live.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the scores of individuals in our extended justice family and our partners in county administration for all of the time and effort they have

devoted to this project since its inception. Completion of this project would not be possible without each of you!

I am certain that we will experience our share of “growing pains” as we move through the initial rollout of our system. I have ensured each of our justice partners that any difficulty we encounter will be met with patience and understanding. I am confident that this system—once fully functional—will be well worth the wait!

Free CLE Discounted CLE Business Meetings Lawyer Referral Service Committee Membership The Docket & Weekly E-News

Help Your Bar Foundation Make A Difference!

As the authors expressed in an essay titled “Lawyers as Professionals and Citizens,” lawyers have a critical, ethical responsibility to provide services “in the public interest” and in furtherance of a “safe, fair and just society.” In a nutshell, that is the principal mission of your Lake County Bar Foundation.

The Lake County Bar Foundation is committed to continuing its support for worthy organizations and noble causes. And, of course, there always is more that can be done. With your support, we will be able to achieve that goal.

You can help by contributing time to support the Foundation. Please consider volunteering to serve on the Board or a Committee, or just participate in the Foundation’s philanthropic efforts. And, of course, please attend and support the Foundation’s events. Any comments or suggestions you have to help us further our goals are welcome.

AWALC 9TH BIENNIAL ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM SEMINAR

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2024 via Zoom

REGISTER

$30 for members

6.0 MCLE CREDITS PENDING (Including Diversity & Mental Health)

TOPICS INCLUDE:

Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue: Why the Work We Do Impacts Us

Potential Witness Issues in the Era of Zoom

Accessing Justice: Updates on Remote Proceedings and Other Supreme Court Access to Justice Initiatives

I Believe Trans Ki ds Should Grow Up to Be Lawyers

Rethinking Neurodiversity in the Legal Industry

Ethical Issues in Labor and Employment Law

Fall is in the Air

Congratulations to everyone for enjoying another wonderful summer in Lake County! The signs of fall are all around us, including colorful leaves, Octoberfest Celebrations, brisk weather and shorter days. An abundance of pumpkins and pumpkin spice lattes are everywhere along with all the Halloween pop-up stores. I enjoy Halloween, as it is one of my favorite events of the fall season.

Fall is also the time for our Members to attend

Committee Activities as well as the Continuing Education Seminars that are available to attorneys. The Foundation Committees have been meeting to improve the quality of our service to the Bar as well as to the Lake County Community. Our Long Range Financial Planning Committee is working to plan the goals of the Bar Foundation for the future. We have also established a Website Committee which is partnering with the Association to improve

the quality of the Bar and Foundation website and make it more user friendly. Our Fundraising and Grant Committee is meeting to plan a fundraiser and review any charitable requests that are submitted to the Foundation.

The Foundation is committed to furthering our goal of helping those less fortunate. We encourage the use of our Grant Application if you

BY JOANN FRATIANNI PRESIDENT

know of any organizations worthy of our assistance. The Foundation continues to hold its regular Board Meetings every other month, both in-person and by Zoom. We also convene other meetings as necessary, should an issue require our immediate attention.

On that note, the Bar Building is having new carpeting installed in the Member’s Lounge. Unfortunately, the old carpeting began buckling in multiple areas, which necessitated the Foundation approving the installation of new carpet squares, which should prove to be more durable. The Member Center should be ready for full use as of October 2023. I hope to see many of you at upcoming Association and Foundation events. In the meantime, have a great fall season!

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Meet the Board

DANNY HODGKINSON

Danny Hodgkinson, partner at the law office of McCollum Hodgkinson & Nikitas. He is a young attorney who has been a member of the Lake County Bar Association since before he received his bar license. Danny got his start as a prosecutor under Mike Waller in 2011. In 2015, he joined the criminal defense firm with Steve McCollum.

Danny attended undergraduate at Deni -

son University, where he is about to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball. He received a double major in political science and religion - all the topics for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Heading into law school at Valparaiso University, Danny saw himself as a Sports Agent. However, loving the thrill of debate in his criminal law class, he quickly realized his place was in a court room. Since

becoming an attorney, Danny started his career at the Lake County State’s Attorneys Office. He was the co-chairperson and chairman of the Criminal Law Committee for 5 years. He has been on the Lake County Bar Association Board, Member of the Jefferson Inn, the Secretary for the LCBA, a member of the Judicial Selection Committee, and has been a speaker at the Lake County Criminal Law Conference. Danny

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Judge Daniel B. Shanes Elected 19th Judicial Circuit’s Next Chief Judge

“Itake great pride in announcing the unanimous selection of my colleague Judge Daniel B. Shanes to serve as Chief Judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit when my term expires in January,” said current Chief Judge Mark L. Levitt. Judge Shanes will serve as Chief Judge for a two-year term beginning on January 1, 2024. “Over the years,

Judge Shanes has been called upon by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as a leader in various capacities in recognition of his unsurpassed legal ability and widely recognized skill as a judicial educator. Judge Shanes will make an outstanding Chief Judge for the people of Lake County.”

“I am honored to serve our court as Chief Judge and humbled by the sup-

port of our judges,” Shanes said. “Our circuit court is a leader across Illinois and nationally in many ways, and our strength is our people. In addition to the judges and lawyers, it is our probation officers, court reporters, interpreters, and so many other dedicated court professionals committed to delivering justice in our community who make a difference in the lives of people across Lake County and beyond.”

Shanes was first selected to serve as an Associate Judge in 2007. In 2010, the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously appointed Judge Shanes to serve as a Circuit Judge; in 2012 and again in 2018, the voters elected him to serve additional terms. Since joining the bench, Judge Shanes has consistently received the highest ratings from the Lake County Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association.

In addition to his responsibilities on the bench, Judge Shanes has been honored to serve by appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court as Chair of the Illinois Judicial College Board of Trustees, Chair

of the Supreme Court Committee on Pattern Jury Instructions for Criminal Cases, a member of the Illinois Judicial Conference, and as a certified new judge mentor, among various assignments. In addition, as a member of the faculty of the National Judicial College, Judge Shanes provides judicial education to judges across the United States and as far away as South Korea. Judge Shanes has published dozens of legal articles, several cited by the Illinois Supreme Court, the Illinois Appellate Court, and legal treatises. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Judges Association and Lake County Bar Association, as well as a local homeless shelter and transitional living facility for women and children.

A life-long resident of Lake County, Judge Shanes earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law, where he served on the DePaul Law Review. He and his wife are the proud parents of four adult children and one daughter-in-law.

CUBS GAME SOCIAL

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Board of Directors’ Meeting

August 17, 2023

Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lake County Bar Association held in the executive conference room of the Lake County Bar Association, 300-A Grand Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois, via Zoom Videoconferncing, on Thursday, August 17, 2023.

CALL TO ORDER

First Vice President

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Katharine Hatch President

Daniel Hodgkinson

First Vice President

Kevin Berrill

Second Vice President

Richard Gellersted Treasurer

Jeffrey Berman Secretary

Tara Devin

Immediate Past President

Jeremy Harter Director

Jeffrey O’Kelley Director

Sarah Raisch Director

Judy Maldonado Director

Hon. Bolling Haxall Director

Greg Weider Executive Director

Hodgkinson, chairing the meeting for President Hatch, called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Roll call indicated a quorum was established, with the following individuals present: Daniel Hodgkinson, First Vice President; Kevin Berrill, Second Vice President; Richard Gellersted, Treasurer; Jeffrey Berman, Secretary; Tara Devine, Immediate Past President; Craig Mandell, Director; Sarah Raisch, Director; Hon. Bolling Haxall, Director; and Greg Weider, Executive Director.

ACTION ITEMS

•Consent Agenda Items

July 20, 2023 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

The Draft minutes from the July 20, 2023 meeting of the Board of Directors was included in the agenda packet. There were no requests for other additions, corrections, or changes to the draft minutes.

July New Members and Membership Report

The New Members report as of August 14, 2023 was included in the Agenda

Meeting Minutes The

packet, along with a full Membership report as of August 14, 2023.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. Upon unanimous voice vote, the motion was declared carried. The Consent Agenda is approved.

•Treasurer’s Report

The July 2023 Financial Report and supporting materials were included in the Agenda packet. Treasurer Gellersted made a presentation regarding the July 2023 Financial Report. Discussion followed. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Upon unanimous voice vote, the motion was declared carried. The Treasurer’s Report is approved.

OLD BUSINESS

• Employee Handbook Update

Executive Director

Weider made a presentation concerning the status of the Employee Handbook update project. The project is nearing completion. Discussion

followed.

BY JEFFREY A. BERMAN SECRETARY

NEW BUSINESS

• Access Pass

Executive Director

Weider made a presentation concerning recent feedback received related to the Courthouse access pass. Discussion followed.

OTHER MATTERS

• Committee Liaison Reports

Board members provided Committee updates.

• Executive Director Report

Executive Director

Weider presented his Executive Director Report for July, including providing an update on membership renewals, and upcoming scheduled events.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made to adjourn. Upon unanimous voice vote, the motion was declared carried. The meeting concluded at 12:44 p.m. The next Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

We congratulate Judge Brodsky on his outstanding judicial career where he developed a reputation as an extremely effective pre-trial mediator. To schedule mediation with Judge Brodsky, please contact Mike Weinzierl at 312.346.3770, x125 or go to our Web Pages at davidbrodskymediation.com

JUDGE DAVID BRODSKY, ret. MEDIATOR | ARBITRATOR

to Our Illinois Team of Dispute Resolution Professionals

Resolute Systems is pleased to welcome Judge David Brodsky, Ret. to our team of dispute resolution professionals. Judge Brodsky will concentrate his mediation practice in the areas of:

• Personal Injury

• Wrongful Death

• Medical Malpractice

• Legal Malpractice

• Commercial

• Products Liability

• Contract

• Mechanics Lien Litigation

• Eminent Domain

• Probate

• Nursing Home

• Premises Liability

• Defamation

• Divorce & Family

Monthly

Committee Meetings

• RSVP to a meeting at www.lakebar.org.

• Meetings subject to change. Please check your weekly e-news, the on-line calendar at www.lakebar.org or call the LCBA Office @ (847) 244-3143.

• Please feel free to bring your lunch to the LCBA office for any noon meetings. Food and beverages at restaurants are purchased on a individual basis.

MEMBER RECEPTION SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

LCBA Member Receptions will generally be held on the 4th Thursday of every month.

Your $500 sponsorship includes:

• Recognition in advertising before the event and on signage at the event

• Reception from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

• Complimentary beer and wine. Upgrades available for additional fee.

Contact Jose at jose@lakebar.org to add your name to a reception.

300 Grand Avenue, Suite A, Waukegan, IL 60085 Tel: 847-244-3143 • Fax: 847-244-8259