10/21/2026
* WCBA News for the week of 10/19/26:
* Proposed Updates to the WCBA By-Laws & Assessments
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Directors for the Will County Bar Association will consider an amendment to the Association’s by-laws at its regular meeting scheduled for October 21st at noon at the WCBA Office, 167 N Ottawa, Ste 101, Joliet. Any interested member is invited to attend the meeting. The proposed changes are available for inspection by any member of the Association (1) at the Association’s business office, 167 N Ottawa St, Ste 101, Joliet, during normal business hours and (2) online on this page: https://willcountybar.net/wcba-by-laws/.
* Administrative Order No. 2026-37: End of Year Jurors and Foreclosure Mediation
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of Illinois has established holidays on Friday, December 25, 2026 and Friday, January 1, 2027, and;
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens that the Court utilize jurors and schedule foreclosure mediation hearings in the most efficient way possible;
WHEREAS, the Court recognizes that the availability of jurors and litigants during the final two weeks of a calendar year can create scheduling issues that can result in a waste of resources;
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Will County Jury Commission shall not summon jurors for the period of December 21, 2026, through January 1, 2027. Normal juror scheduling shall resume on January 4, 2027. Further, the Will County Foreclosure Mediation Program shall also suspend foreclosure mediation hearings during this period.
This Order if effective immediately.
* October Donation Drive for Guardian Angel Community Services
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Will County Bar Association is collecting donations throughout the month of October to support Guardian Angel Community Services in Joliet and the individuals and families they serve.
We invite our members to help make a difference by donating much-needed items throughout the month.
đź“‹ Please see the wish list below for suggested donations and immediate needs.
đź“Ť Drop-Off Location:
Will County Bar Association
167 N. Ottawa Street, Suite 101
Joliet, IL 60432
đźš— Need a pickup?
Email [email protected] to arrange for your donation to be picked up or dropped off for pickup at the Courthouse before or after court.
Every donation helps provide support and resources to those impacted by domestic violence. Thank you for helping us stand with survivors and support the important work of Guardian Angel Community Services.
* SAVE THE DATE: WCBA Christmas Party Wednesday, December 9th
Save the date for the WCBA Christmas Party: Wednesday, December 9th.
Mistwood Golf Club
1700 W Renwick
Romeoville, IL 60446
More information to come.
* Get Involved: Join a WCBA Committee
The Will County Bar Association encourages all members to consider joining one or more of our newly formed Committees. Committees play an important role in shaping the programs, services, and initiatives offered by the Association. Your ideas, experience, and perspective can help strengthen the WCBA and better serve our members and the legal community. The Committees will be chaired by members of the WCBA Board of Directors. Please note the law area committees will now be referred to as Sections.
For a complete list of the WCBA Committees, the Chairs of each Committee and a description of the purpose of each group head to the WCBA website Committees page.
Committees are as follows:
CLE Committee
Communications Committee
Community Outreach/Service Committee
Diversity Committee
Enterprise Committee
Finance Committee
Governance Committee
Membership Committee
Social Events Committee
Past Presidents Committee
Committee members are asked to actively participate by attending committee meetings, which will be generally held on a quarterly basis, sharing their opinions and ideas, and assisting with planning, recommendations, and decision-making related to the committee’s goals and activities.
Whether you are a new attorney looking to become more involved or a seasoned practitioner wanting to help guide the WCBA, we welcome your participation.
If you are interested in serving on a committee, please complete the Committee Interest Form. A member of the WCBA will contact you with additional information about committee opportunities and meeting schedules.
* 2026-2027 WCBA Membership Dues: PAST DUE
Annual dues for the 2026-2027 year were due starting July 1, 2026 and are now past due. There is the option to join and renew online via the WCBA website. Head to www.willcountybar.net/membership/. There is the option to pay via PayPal or a credit card. Please note, there is still the option to download the membership form and mail it in with a check. The form can be found here.
Membership rates for 2026-2027 are as follows:
Less than 2 Years & Age Over 70: Free
2-3 Years: $120
4-5 Year: $130
Over 5 Years: $170
* In addition, if you are a member of the Will County Women's Bar Association, Black Bar Association of Will County, or the Latino Bar Association of Will County you are eligible for an additional $50 discount. You should only utilize the discount if you are also a member of one of the above mentioned Bar Associations. Please
see details on the website and hardcopy form.
Please send questions via email to [email protected] or call the office at (815)726-0383.
* Upcoming Section Meetings
GAL
The GAL Section will meet Tuesday, October 27th at noon in the WCBA Office, 167 N Ottawa St, Joliet. Attorney Courtney Mehta will present on the new child support law.
CIVIL
The Civil Section will meet Tuesday, October 27th at 4:00 via Zoom.
Zoom Details
Meeting ID: 881 6891 8349
Passcode: 154983
If you would like to receive 1 hour of MCLE credit for attending a Section meeting please RSVP to [email protected]. You must be a WCBA member in order to receive MCLE credit.
* Notice of Amendments to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 10-101
We’re sharing an important update about Illinois Supreme Court Rule 10-101. Amendments to Supreme Court Rule 10-101 are now in effect, providing clearer guidance on statewide standardized forms and promoting more consistent practices across Illinois courts. The updates include clarifications on:
Acceptance of Older Versions of Standardized Forms
• Filings cannot be rejected solely because an older version of a standardized form was used.
• Courts are encouraged to link to the Illinois Courts forms landing page at ilcourts.info/forms to help users access current versions.
Modifications to Standardized Forms
• No one may digitally alter the underlying statewide standardized form, however users may make handwritten or typed strikethroughs and additions to a form.
• Users may not remove or alter portions of a standardized form in a way that is not apparent on the face of the document.
Mandatory Standardized Forms
• Standardized forms are generally optional unless their use is required by statute or Supreme Court Rule.
Providing Forms to Court Users
• A definition of “form” was added to clarify that instruction packets and additional forms are included in Rule 10-101.
• A new comment to the Rule references the existing Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Assistance to Court Patrons by Circuit Clerks, Court Staff, Law Librarians, and Court Volunteers, which states that:
• Clerks and court staff may provide standardized forms based on a user’s description of their legal issue; and
• This does not constitute unauthorized practice of law.
* ISU Legal Studies Research Request
My name is Sydney, and I am a Graduate Research Assistant at Illinois State University for the Politics and Government department working under Professor Jason Cieslik on his research with Illinois attorneys to better understand the needs for enhanced paralegal programs; especially at universities like ours that are approved by the American Bar Association.
We are in need of your cooperation to complete the survey attached. Participation in the survey is of course entirely voluntary but would significantly contribute to Illinois State University’s understanding of the needs of firms like yours for paralegals; along with assisting in how we can best send out our aspiring paralegals into the world equipped to support your practices!
I have attached a link to our research survey here: https://illinoisstate.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_40AjvNSOFVlpFJQ
This survey should not take more than 15-20 minutes of your time. If you have any questions regarding the survey, the research, or credentials, please do not hesitate to reach either me at [email protected] or Professor Cieslik at [email protected].
Sydney Golowacz B.A.
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Politics and Government
Illinois State University
* Public Comment: Reappointment of U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes on May 30, 2027
The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes will expire on May 30, 2027.
Magistrate Judge Fuentes is a full-time United States magistrate judge in the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Illinois, with a regular place of office at Chicago, Illinois. His responsibilities include conducting preliminary proceedings in federal criminal cases, the trial and disposition of federal misdemeanor cases upon consent of the litigants, conducting various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on reference from a district judge of the court, and the trial and disposition of federal civil cases upon consent of the litigants.
A further description of the position is contained in the Federal Magistrate Judges Act, Title 28 U.S.C. §§ 631-636, and in the Local Rules for the Northern District of Illinois.
In deciding to consider the reappointment of Magistrate Judge Fuentes to a new eight-year term, the Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment. In order to assist the panel, the Court requests comments from members of the bar and public regarding this reappointment.
Written comments should be directed to:
Magistrate Judge Advisory Panel
c/o Mr. Thomas G. Bruton
Clerk of Court
U.S. District Court
219 South Dearborn St. - Rm. 2050A
Chicago, IL 60604
Comments must be received at the above address by the close of business on Monday, November 30, 2026. Further inquiries regarding the magistrate judge reappointment process should be directed to the Office of the Clerk at (312) 435-5359.
* Call for Nominations: ATJ Commission Awards - Honoring ATJ Excellence
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) is delighted to request nominations for two awards recognizing exceptional contributions to improving access to the Illinois court system:
1. The Jeffrey D. Colman Access to Justice Award
2. The Hon. Thomas L. Kilbride (Ret.) Judicial Access to Justice Award
These awards celebrate judicial officers, lawyers, paralegals, and court employees (i.e., anyone working at a courthouse) whose work has made the courts more accessible and improved the experience of litigants. The ATJ Commission encourages you to use this opportunity to highlight the work of colleagues and peers who have made significant contributions to advancing access to justice.
Nominations are open until November 2, 2026. We invite you to nominate deserving candidates for either or both awards. Please follow the links above for award criteria and nomination instructions.
Help us recognize the people making a meaningful difference for court users in their communities. The ATJ Commission looks forward to learning about their extraordinary contributions through your nominations.
