Illinois Case Commentaries

Independent Felonious Purpose in Felony Murder: Insights from PEOPLE v. ENGLISH

Date: Apr 19, 2013

Independent Felonious Purpose in Felony Murder: Insights from PEOPLE v. ENGLISH Introduction PEOPLE v. ENGLISH is a pivotal case decided by the Supreme Court of Illinois in 2013, which delves into...

Illinois Supreme Court Affirms Specific Personal Jurisdiction Over Foreign Manufacturer Under Stream of Commerce Theory in SNFA v. Russell

Date: Apr 19, 2013

Illinois Supreme Court Affirms Specific Personal Jurisdiction Over Foreign Manufacturer Under Stream of Commerce Theory in SNFA v. Russell Introduction In the landmark case of RUSSELL v. SNFA,...

Reversing Conviction Due to Ineffective Assistance: People v. Domagala

Date: Apr 19, 2013

Reversing Conviction Due to Ineffective Assistance: People v. Domagala Introduction People v. Domagala is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Illinois that underscores the critical importance...

Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Mens Rea Requirements for Criminal Sexual Assault

Date: Apr 19, 2013

Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Mens Rea Requirements for Criminal Sexual Assault Introduction In the landmark case of The People of the State of Illinois v. Terry Lloyd (369 Ill. Dec. 759, 2013),...

Illinois Supreme Court Reinforces Forum Non Conveniens Doctrine in FELA Asbestos Injury Case

Date: Apr 19, 2013

Illinois Supreme Court Reinforces Forum Non Conveniens Doctrine in FELA Asbestos Injury Case Introduction In the landmark case of Walter FENNELL, Appellee, v. ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY,...

Requirement of Expert Medical Testimony in Illinois Medical Battery Claims: A Comprehensive Analysis

Date: Apr 13, 2013

Requirement of Expert Medical Testimony in Illinois Medical Battery Claims: A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction In the appellate case of Scott W. Holzrichter v. Martin Yorath et al., the Appellate...

Compulsory Joinder and Speedy Trial Rights in People v. Dewayne Hunter (2013)

Date: Apr 5, 2013

Compulsory Joinder and Speedy Trial Rights in People v. Dewayne Hunter (2013) Introduction People v. Dewayne Hunter is a significant decision rendered by the Supreme Court of Illinois on April 4,...

Admissibility of Custodial Statements under Rule 402(f) and Counsel Disqualification: People v. Rivera

Date: Mar 26, 2013

Admissibility of Custodial Statements under Rule 402(f) and Counsel Disqualification: People v. Rivera Introduction In the landmark case of The People of the State of Illinois v. Jose Rivera, decided...

Res Judicata and Immunity in Actions Against Court-Appointed Psychological Evaluators: Analysis of COONEY v. ROSSITER

Date: Mar 26, 2013

Res Judicata and Immunity in Actions Against Court-Appointed Psychological Evaluators: Analysis of COONEY v. ROSSITER Introduction The case of Deborah A. Orlando Cooney et al. v. Lyle H. Rossiter,...

Recognition of Equitable Adoption and Undue Influence in Illinois Will Contests

Date: Mar 22, 2013

Recognition of Equitable Adoption and Undue Influence in Illinois Will Contests Introduction In the landmark case of James Thomas DeHART v. Blanca DeHART, Indi, decided by the Supreme Court of...

Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Applicability of Trial in Absentia Statute to In-Custody Defendants

Date: Feb 23, 2013

Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Applicability of Trial in Absentia Statute to In-Custody Defendants Introduction In the landmark decision of The People of the State of Illinois v. Dominick Eppinger,...

Supreme Court of Illinois Upholds Jury Instruction Standards in PEOPLE v. WILMINGTON

Date: Feb 8, 2013

Supreme Court of Illinois Upholds Jury Instruction Standards in PEOPLE v. WILMINGTON Introduction In People v. Lamar Wilmington, the Supreme Court of Illinois addressed critical issues regarding jury...

Establishing Probable Cause Through Police Expertise in Soliciting Unlawful Business: Analysis of PEOPLE v. GRANT

Date: Feb 8, 2013

Establishing Probable Cause Through Police Expertise in Soliciting Unlawful Business: Analysis of PEOPLE v. GRANT Introduction PEOPLE of the State of Illinois v. Ronnie Grant (368 Ill. Dec. 205,...

Establishing Vicarious Liability in Intrusion Upon Seclusion: LAWLOR v. NORTH AMERICAN CORP. OF Illinois

Date: Jan 29, 2013

Establishing Vicarious Liability in Intrusion Upon Seclusion: LAWLOR v. NORTH AMERICAN CORP. OF Illinois Introduction Lawlor v. North American Corporation of Illinois is a landmark case decided by...

Appellate Jurisdiction in Mortgage Foreclosure: Insights from EMC Mortgage Corp. v. Kemp

Date: Dec 29, 2012

Appellate Jurisdiction in Mortgage Foreclosure: Insights from EMC Mortgage Corporation v. Barbara J. Kemp Introduction The case of EMC Mortgage Corporation v. Barbara J. Kemp addresses pivotal...

Res Judicata and Unified Agency Claims in Wilson v. Edward Hospital

Date: Dec 14, 2012

Res Judicata and Unified Agency Claims in Wilson v. Edward Hospital Introduction The case of Brandon Wilson et al. v. Edward Hospital et al., decided by the Supreme Court of Illinois on December 13,...

Non-Testimonial Nature of Autopsy Reports in Confrontation Clause Context: PEOPLE v. LEACH

Date: Nov 30, 2012

Non-Testimonial Nature of Autopsy Reports in Confrontation Clause Context: PEOPLE v. LEACH Introduction PEOPLE v. LEACH, 2012 IL 111534, adjudicated by the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois,...

Reversing Summary Dismissal of Ineffective Assistance Claims in Postconviction Proceedings: People v. Douglas Tate

Date: Nov 30, 2012

Reversing Summary Dismissal of Ineffective Assistance Claims in Postconviction Proceedings: People v. Douglas Tate Introduction The case of People of the State of Illinois v. Douglas Tate (366 Ill....

Affirmation of Appellate Reversal in In re A.P. and J.P.: Redefining Neglect Standards in Juvenile Law

Date: Nov 30, 2012

Affirmation of Appellate Reversal in In re A.P. and J.P.: Redefining Neglect Standards in Juvenile Law Introduction The case of In re A.P. and J.P. involves the State of Illinois appealing an...

Clarifying Probable Cause Standards in Postcommitment Proceedings Under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act

Date: Nov 30, 2012

Clarifying Probable Cause Standards in Postcommitment Proceedings Under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act Introduction The Supreme Court of the State of Illinois delivered a pivotal...