Southern Illinois

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier announced today that an application process has begun for a Circuit Court vacancy in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

The at-large Circuit vacancy is being created by the announced resignation of Circuit Judge John Coady, effective October 3, 2009.

Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies. Justice Karmeier uses an application, evaluation and interview process to make recommendations to the Court for vacancies in the Fifth Judicial District.

Notice of the vacancy has been posted in courthouses throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

Applicants must submit a cover letter with the Requested Information of an Applicant Form to:

Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier, Supreme Court of Illinois, P.O. Box 266, Nashville, IL 62263.

The form may be obtained from the office of Chief Judge Gene Schwarm of the Fourth Judicial Circuit; the presiding judge or circuit clerks of the counties within the Fourth Circuit or from Justice Karmeier.

Applicants' cover letter and completed form must be received in Justice Karmeier's office no later than Monday, August 17, 2009. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the position is filled through the November, 2010 general election. The appointment will terminate December 6, 2010. To be eligible for appointment, a person must be a resident of the Fourth Judicial Circuit at the time of the appointment.

The Fourth Judicial Circuit is comprised of nine counties: Clinton, Marion, Clay, Jasper, Effingham, Fayette, Shelby, Christian and Montgomery.

The Illinois Supreme Court building at 200 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield
The Illinois Supreme Court building at 200 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield

The Illinois Supreme Court building was completed in 1908.

The first floor holds the offices for the clerk of the court.

The courtroom used by the Illinois Supreme Court and an Appellate Courtroom are on the second floor. This floor also contains a law library.

The third floor is closed to the public. It has living quarters that the justices use while they are in session.

Address: 200 E. Capitol Avenue, Springfield
Year built: 1908
Cost: $450,000
Architect: W. Carbys Zimmerman

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Well-known Southern Illinois criminal defense attorney Chris Heid passed away earlier this month at his home in Enfield.

Chris graduated from Springfield High School, Western Illinois University and Southern Illinois University School of Law. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army JAG.

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Soon to be released FTC guidelines will up the ante for bloggers who review or endorse products, according to Adam Snukal in the July 2009 issue of The Corporate Lawyer, newsletter of the ISBA's Section on Corporate Law. One change wrought by the new guidelines: a blogger who reviews a product will be deemed an "endorser." That means that, "should the blogger fail to verify (or request verification of) an advertiser’s substantiation with respect to any product claims, the advertiser can be subject to liability for false and unsubstantiated statements made through the blogger’s endorsement, and the blogger may also be subject to liability for the same unsubstantiated representations (intentional or unintentional) made in the course of his/her review (aka endorsement)." Read the article.

New members of the ISBA Board of Governors include: Gina Arquilla, James McCluskey, Lisa Nyuli and Russell Scott
New members of the ISBA Board of Governors include: Gina Arquilla, James McCluskey, Lisa Nyuli and Russell Scott

The Illinois State Bar Association's Board of Governors welcomed five new members at a meeting Friday in Chicago.

The new members are: 3rd Vice President John E. Thies of Urbana, James M. McCluskey of Lisle, Lisa M. Nyuli of South Elgin and Russell K. Scott of Belleville. Gina Arquilla of Chicago was elected to fill the "under 37" Cook County seats.

Mauro Glorioso
Mauro Glorioso

The Board elected Carl Draper of Springfield to serve as Secretary and Mauro Glorioso of Westchester as Treasurer.

Other actions taken included approving two professional ethics opinions in accordance with the Illinois Supreme Court's New Rules of Professional Conduct.

Ethics help is just a phone call or click away

Illinois State Bar Association members can review our online database of ethics opinions, searchable by subject or opinion number, or get personal guidance from a qualified ISBA attorney by calling the Ethics InfoLine (800) 252-8908.

Click here to review the ISBA's online database of ethics opinions.