Illinois Case Commentaries

Strengthening Anti-SLAPP Protections: Insights from Wright Development Group v. Walsh

Date: Oct 22, 2010

Strengthening Anti-SLAPP Protections: Insights from Wright Development Group v. Walsh Introduction The Wright Development Group, LCC v. John Walsh et al. case, adjudicated by the Supreme Court of...

Reaffirming Non-Structural Nature of Rule 431(b) Violations: Analysis of People v. Thompson

Date: Oct 22, 2010

Reaffirming Non-Structural Nature of Rule 431(b) Violations: Analysis of People v. Thompson Introduction People of the State of Illinois v. Angelo Thompson, 238 Ill. 2d 598 (2010), is a pivotal case...

Affirming Reasonable Suspicion Standards for Vehicle Stops with Restricted Driving Permits in Illinois

Date: Oct 22, 2010

Affirming Reasonable Suspicion Standards for Vehicle Stops with Restricted Driving Permits in Illinois Introduction In the landmark case The People of the State of Illinois v. Marc A. Close, 238 Ill....

Establishing Voir Dire Requirements for Gang Bias: Illinois Supreme Court in People v. Italo Sanders

Date: Oct 8, 2010

Establishing Voir Dire Requirements for Gang Bias: Illinois Supreme Court in People v. Italo Sanders Introduction The case of The People of the State of Illinois v. Italo Sanders (238 Ill. 2d 391)...

Rule 701 Non-Retroactivity Affirmed in Capital Cases – People v. Daniel Ramsey

Date: Oct 8, 2010

Rule 701 Non-Retroactivity Affirmed in Capital Cases – People v. Daniel Ramsey Introduction In the landmark case of People of the State of Illinois v. Daniel Ramsey, the Supreme Court of Illinois...

Federal Diversity Jurisdiction Standards: Insights from Kinko's Inc. v. Vancura

Date: Oct 8, 2010

Federal Diversity Jurisdiction Standards: Insights from Kinko's Inc. v. Vancura Introduction Kinko's Inc. v. Vancura, 238 Ill. 2d 352, is a significant case adjudicated by the Supreme Court of...

Abstract Elements Approach Affirmed for Determining Lesser-Included Offenses under the King Doctrine

Date: Sep 24, 2010

Abstract Elements Approach Affirmed for Determining Lesser-Included Offenses under the King Doctrine Introduction In the case of The People of the State of Illinois v. Johnny L. Miller, 238 Ill. 2d...

Defense Counsel's Authority to Enter Stipulations Without Detailed Defendant Consent Upheld

Date: Sep 24, 2010

Defense Counsel's Authority to Enter Stipulations Without Detailed Defendant Consent Upheld Introduction In the case of The People of the State of Illinois v. Charles E. Clendenin (238 Ill. 2d 302),...

Enforcement of Insurance Policy Notice Provisions: Insights from West American Insurance Company v. Yorkville National Bank

Date: Sep 24, 2010

Enforcement of Insurance Policy Notice Provisions: Insights from West American Insurance Company v. Yorkville National Bank Introduction The case of West American Insurance Company v. Yorkville...

Effective Waiver of Ineffective Assistance Claims in Speedy Trial Rights: Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Phipps Case

Date: Jul 16, 2010

Effective Waiver of Ineffective Assistance Claims in Speedy Trial Rights: Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Phipps Case Introduction The case of The People of the State of Illinois v....

Natural Accumulation Rule and Common Carriers: Establishing Liability Boundaries in Illinois

Date: Jul 16, 2010

Natural Accumulation Rule and Common Carriers: Establishing Liability Boundaries in Illinois Introduction The case of MARIANNA KRYWIN, Appellant, v. CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY, Appellee (238 Ill. 2d...

Affirmation of Juvenile Custody and Clarification on DNA Evidence Admissibility

Date: Jul 16, 2010

Affirmation of Juvenile Custody and Clarification on DNA Evidence Admissibility: Comprehensive Commentary on The People of the State of Illinois v. Sandy Williams Introduction The case of The People...

Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Forfeiture by Wrongdoing Doctrine and Its Application to Hearsay Evidence

Date: Jun 25, 2010

Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Forfeiture by Wrongdoing Doctrine and Its Application to Hearsay Evidence Introduction In the landmark case THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS v. ERIC HANSON, the...

Affirmation of Appellate Jurisdiction and Evidentiary Standards in SVP Commitment Proceedings

Date: Jun 25, 2010

Affirmation of Appellate Jurisdiction and Evidentiary Standards in SVP Commitment Proceedings Introduction In re DETENTION OF TOMMY O. HARDIN is a pivotal 2010 judgment by the Supreme Court of...

Comprehensive Commentary on PEOPLE v. PETRENKO: Establishing the Legality of Consecutive Natural-Life Sentences in Illinois

Date: Jun 5, 2010

PEOPLE v. PETRENKO: Establishing the Legality of Consecutive Natural-Life Sentences in Illinois Introduction In THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellee, v. SHAWN PETRENKO, Appellant (237 Ill....

Forfeiture of Claims Due to Procedural Defaults in Sentencing: PEOPLE v. HILLIER

Date: Jun 5, 2010

Forfeiture of Claims Due to Procedural Defaults in Sentencing: PEOPLE v. HILLIER Introduction People of the State of Illinois v. Howard J. Hillier, 237 Ill. 2d 539 (2010), is a pivotal case decided...

Affirmation of Liability Exclusions for Unlicensed Drivers in Automobile Insurance Policies

Date: May 21, 2010

Affirmation of Liability Exclusions for Unlicensed Drivers in Automobile Insurance Policies Introduction The case of Founders Insurance Company, Appellant, v. Albert L. Munoz et al. and Safeway...

Expansion of Duty to Defend: Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Self-Defense Exception in Insurance Policies

Date: May 21, 2010

Expansion of Duty to Defend: Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Self-Defense Exception in Insurance Policies Introduction In the landmark case of Pekin Insurance Company et al. v. Jack O. Wilson et al.,...

State's Retention of Interest on Unclaimed Property Upheld as Non-Taking Under Illinois Constitution

Date: May 21, 2010

State's Retention of Interest on Unclaimed Property Upheld as Non-Taking Under Illinois Constitution Introduction The case of David Cwik, Successor Independent Administrator of the Estate of Genowefa...

Upholding Party Presentation: Supreme Court of Illinois in PEOPLE v. GIVENS

Date: Apr 16, 2010

Upholding Party Presentation: Supreme Court of Illinois in PEOPLE v. GIVENS Introduction In People of the State of Illinois v. Fatima Givens (237 Ill. 2d 311, 2010), the Supreme Court of Illinois...