The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee is accepting public comments on six proposals that will be discussed at an upcoming public hearing. Four of the proposals relate to bar admissions, and two proposals relate to the administrative process in the appellate courts.
A public hearing about all proposed changes is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, 222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th Floor, in Chicago.
A livestream of the hearing will be available on the Illinois Supreme Court website.
Written public comments can be submitted through April 16 to RulesCommittee@illinoiscourts.gov or mailed to the Committee Secretary, Supreme Court Rules Committee, 222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th floor, Chicago, IL 60601.
Those interested in testifying at the public hearing can register by sending an email to the Rules Committee Secretary by April 16.
The Illinois Supreme Court must approve all proposals before they can take effect.
Proposals related to the bar exam
The Illinois Supreme Court Board of Admissions to the Bar (IBAB) has made three proposals related to legal education and the bar exam.
According to the Notice of Public Hearing, Proposal 24-15 would amend Supreme Court Rule 703 on legal educational requirements.
The amendment would include deleting subsection (a) on an applicant’s preliminary and college work requirements.
Further, the amendment would clarify that the “first professional degree” in law requirement is not satisfied by a Master of Laws (L.L.M.) or Doctorate in Law (S.J.D.), or an equivalent degree.
Second, Proposal 24-16 would amend Supreme Court Rule 704 regarding qualification on examination.
The amendment would delete the reference to the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) specifically, and replace it with general “bar exam” language. In addition, the amendment would add the abbreviation for the National Conference of Bar Examiners to the Rule and remove outdated language.
Third, Proposal 24-17 would amend Supreme Court Rule 704A, which covers admission by transferred UBE score.
The amendment would clarify the date upon which a UBE score is attained; allow graduates of foreign law schools to transfer UBE scores from another jurisdiction; and delete subsection (e) as it is no longer necessary and rename subsection (f) to (e) with technical changes for clarity.
Finally, Proposal 24-18 would amend Supreme Court Rules 706 and 716 to create a bifurcated fee structure for applications for admission on motion under Rule 705; modify fees and allow credit card service fees and other miscellaneous fees; and codify the process for newly employed house counsel applicants seeking waiver of the 90-day deadline and the settling of related late fees on a sliding scale.
Other proposals for public comment
The Appellate Court Administrative Committee of the Supreme Court has suggested two changes related to how long attorneys must represent clients, how appeals are filed, and the use of Rule 23 orders in court documents.
Proposal 25-01 would amend Supreme Court Rules 13 and 606.
The amendment to Rule 13 would state that an attorney’s representation continues until the time for filing an appeal expires unless an exception applies.
The amendment to Rule 606(a) would add an explanatory comment to clarify a counsel’s responsibility to file the notice of appeal and the format of a notice of appeal.
Proposal 25-02 would amend Supreme Court Rule 23 by removing the requirement for attorneys to attach copies of Rule 23 orders when citing them in filings.
Information on the public hearings and proposals can be found on the Illinois Supreme Court website.
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