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A Brief Overview of the DuPage County Bar Association

The DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) serves lawyers, judges, and jurors from its headquarters in Wheaton, Illinois. It offers multiple ways for members to network, hone their skills, and stay updated on local, state, and nationwide developments in the industry.

In 2024, the DCBA maintains 11 committees that enable members to advocate for or assist members in certain demographics, new lawyers, or diversity issues. Its 21 sections expand its advocacy to include initiatives outside the organization and specific practice areas, like animal law, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and local government.

Remote and in-person events widen the DCBA’s scope regarding topics it covers. Examples include how lawyers can work more efficiently, and suggestions may include implementing new HR or project management software. To educate local voters, the DCBA holds discussions of judiciary candidates during election years. Members who use their DCBA accounts when registering for events may also receive CLE credit for sessions that they attend.

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How Non for Profit Corporations Differ from Nonprofits

Most individuals know that for-profit corporations exist, such as Apple and Microsoft. Individuals can also operate not-for-profit corporations, which differ from their for-profit counterparts and nonprofits.

In all three cases, different parties benefit from their operations. For-profit corporations enrich stakeholders and fund the salaries of employees. In addition, for-profit corporations aim to produce profits to satisfy their obligations.

Nonprofits function for the public good and only make enough money to sustain the organization’s existence and pay employees. Examples include hospitals, cultural organizations, and groups providing family services.

Finally, not-for-profit corporations are not required to operate for a public good cause. Instead, the entity can satisfy the needs of its members. The entities cater to a narrow group, such as a sports club that provides services only to paying members.

Despite the differences, nonprofits and not-for-profits must abide by specific taxation and financial transparency rules. Both types must make financial information public so donors or members know how their leadership will spend their contributions. For-profits must only maintain thorough financial records so the IRS can tax them fairly, and any benefit the public gains from these records is secondary. Nonprofit donors can apply for tax reductions equal to the magnitude of their donation, whereas not-for-profits are ineligible for similar reductions.

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Lawyers Taking the Lead in Hunger Relief

Food insecurity is a significant concern nationwide, with over 17 million affected children in the United States, according to Lawyers Helping Hungry Children. Lawyers nationwide have established a range of initiatives to address this crisis.

Illinois legal professionals launched Lawyers Feeding Illinois, moving beyond traditional bar activities to raise funds for state food banks. Uniting judges, lawyers, and community members statewide, this philanthropic drive garnered donations to supply over 4 million meals, quadrupling the 1 million meal target. By mobilizing broad participation, this initiative demonstrated the legal community’s combined generosity and impact on addressing hunger.

Similarly, Attorneys Against Hunger, under the Allegheny County Bar Association, has long combated local hunger issues in Pennsylvania. It now supports 17 agencies battling food insecurity and has raised the funds needed to feed thousands in the region.

The Lawyers' Campaign Against Hunger program legal community has been a philanthropic driving force to alleviate food insecurity in Maryland. Through annual campaigns, this program unites dedicated attorneys statewide to raise funds for the Maryland Food Bank, assisting residents struggling to afford nutritious meals. To date, the program has raised over $7 million, benefiting needy households.

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Stages of Foreclosure - From Default to Eviction

Foreclosure is a complex and often distressing process for homeowners facing financial challenges. Understanding the stages involved can help individuals make informed decisions to mitigate the impact on their home ownership and their financial situation.

The journey into foreclosure typically begins with a missed mortgage payment. Lenders initiate contact, frequently aiming to work with borrowers even after the first missed payment. After three months of non-payment a demand letter is sent, outlining the amount overdue and providing a 30-day window to rectify the situation.

Four months into missed payments (assuming no other arrangements have been made), a notice of default (NOD) is issued, marking the start of the formal foreclosure process. Borrowers have an additional 30 days to settle before further action is taken. Federal law generally prevents foreclosure until a borrower is more than 120 days overdue.

The foreclosure process diverges based on state laws. Some follow nonjudicial foreclosures, while others opt for judicial foreclosures, requiring court approval. After filing necessary paperwork, a notice of trustee’s sale is recorded, indicating the auction details, including time, location, and minimum bid.

The property enters public auction, with the highest bidder securing ownership. The opening bid is based on the outstanding loan, unpaid taxes, and sale costs. Upon completion, the winning bidder receives a trustee’s deed, claiming immediate possession. If the property remains unsold during the auction, the lender takes ownership and attempts to sell it as real estate owned (REO) property.

Once the auction concludes, occupants, whether former owners or tenants, receive an eviction notice. This mandates an immediate evacuation, which is typically handled by local law enforcement.

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Benefits of Joining the Chicago Bar Association

Joining the Chicago Bar Association offers several benefits. The CBA connects members with networking opportunities. It also provides resources that help members continue developing professionally and their practices.

Membership provides legal professionals access to the Continuous Legal Education (CLE) program. Every year, the CBA sponsors more than 120 seminars that fulfill the minimum CLE requirements in Illinois and several other states. The course units cover most practice areas, including technology, business skills, law office management, trial techniques, and professionalism. In addition, membership grants legal professionals a 50 percent discount to the CLE program.

As a CBA member, legal professionals also receive access to speaking, networking, and leadership opportunities through committees. The opportunities can lead to business referrals that benefit thriving legal practices. Through the Young Lawyers Section committees, members receive an exemption from extra section fees and access to learning opportunities from judges and seasoned legal experts. Members with less than ten years in the profession receive automatic enrollment in the committee. Therefore, automatic access to educational opportunities.

Lastly, CBA members can access an online career center featuring national and local job openings. Then, members can leverage the Law Practice Management & Technology Division to access information about developing their law practice and understanding emerging technologies.

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ISBA Works with Supreme Court Commission to Eliminate Bullying

A volunteer organization of more than 18,000 members, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) works toward improving the administration of justice. It advocates for equal access and supports attorneys throughout the state. As a part of this mission, the ISBA is working with the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism to eliminate bullying in the legal profession, according to a November 2023 press release.

The first part of the initiative surveyed attorneys in Illinois. The initiative received more than 6,000 responses, a new record.

As of November 2023, the initiative narrowed its examinations to a focus group of 12 people who practice in Southern and Central Illinois. The focus group discussion occurred over a Zoom meeting lasting 1-1/2 hours. Some topics included discussing attorney experiences with bullying, why it occurs, and how it can be stopped.

The ISBA encouraged members and attorneys in the state to participate in the meeting, which took place on December 11, 2023.

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Mercy Home Presents 2024 Book of Service

The Mercy Home for Boys & Girls provides youth dealing with adversity at home with a safe place to live. While staying with the organization, children take part in community service projects. Then, the annual Book of Service highlights the projects, and the children present it to the public during the holidays.

The presentation takes place at the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls annual tree lighting event. The book highlights all of the community projects from the various Mercy Home communities. For instance, the children living in Seton Home volunteered at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, packaging food for individuals experiencing food insecurity. The participants also packaged food at the Feed My Starving Children food bank and volunteered with the Center’s Children’s Farm in Palos Park and the Teen Bridge Center.

Other community projects include the children at the Couderc Home, which partnered with Habitat for Humanity, the Teen Bridge Center, and the Pilsen Food Pantry. At the Walgreen Home, children volunteered twice at Feed My Starving Children and participated in a beautification project in Englewood. The boys living in the Mahoney Home volunteered at the Roosevelt Square Farm, a youth-led farm, and with EcoShip to sort and store donations.

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The Jesse White Community Center - Designed to Serve the Community

A multipurpose community center in Chicago, Illinois, the Jesse White Community Center and Field House provide a place for residents to gather and engage in various activities. Featured in the official journal of the American Institute of Architects, the structure that houses the center features a design that welcomes people inside by embracing themes of openness and well-being.

Allowing sunlight to shine through, the transparent front facade beckons visitors to enter a spacious lobby and reception area. The architecture firm Ghafari collaborated with the Jesse White Foundation and the Chicago Park District. Together, the entities created a building that promotes transparency and connectivity to serve as “a beacon of hope and healthy living.”

Spanning more than 300,000 square feet, the Jesse White Community Center optimizes its internal space; it efficiently organized and placed utility equipment in central locations. In addition to its performance-driven design, its sustainable and energy-saving building materials have helped secure the Jesse White Community Center LEED Silver certification for its “environmental, social, and governance benefits.”

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The 2023 USFNdustry Forum

Presented by the American mortgage banking attorney association USFN, the 2023 USFNdustry Forum gathered 162 attendees in Charlotte, North Carolina, from June 7 to June 9. The first night of the event featured a service project that involved packing backpacks with school supplies and soliciting financial donations for Charlotte-area schoolchildren. The next day, attendees enjoyed a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The event concluded with a panel of speakers from Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the US Veterans Affairs Department, all of whom spoke about what the future holds for their respective agencies.

2023 USFNdustry Forum featured a variety of informative general sessions and keynote addresses over its three days. Its general sessions included “Servicer Takeover” and “Top 10 Summer Topics: From AI & HAF to Compliance & Operational Changes.” Its keynote addresses included “The Macroeconomic Environment and the Mortgage Market” from Edward Seiler, PhD, as well as “Shelter from the Storm: How a COVID Mortgage Meltdown was Averted” by Mark Calabria, PhD.

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CBA Offers Mediation Services

A law firm that focuses on real estate cases, Codilis & Associates has represented clients in Illinois since 1977. In addition to its menu of realty-related services, the team at Codilis and Associates is involved with various professional organizations, including the Chicago Bar Association (CBA), an organization established to maintain the honor and dignity of the law.

The CBA offers clients a way to resolve cases quickly through its mediation services. Furthermore, CBA mediation services cover a range of areas like real estate, personal injury, and family law, among others.

Clients who choose to resolve their legal issues with the CBA’s mediation services are guaranteed assistance from attorneys with at least 10 years of experience. In addition to their time in the profession, these attorneys have undergone training to mediate under CBA auspices.

By providing clients with experienced attorneys, the program allows litigants to resolve their cases in a fair, cost-effective, and efficient way. This service aligns with one of the organization’s goals to promote the administration of justice. For more information on the CBA and its mediation services, please visit www.chicagobarmediation.org/.

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Mercy Home’s Friends First Mentoring Program

Located in Chicago, Illinois, the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls has been serving abused and neglected youth since 1887. It provides shelter to young people and connects them with a range of appropriate support resources.

Through its Friends First Mentoring Program, Mercy Home matches young people in need with volunteer mentors who are trained to meet those needs. Reaching out to many children who have been disappointed by adults in the past, this program strives to help children see beyond their often “limited horizon” to foster a “better vision for their future.”

Beginning with a simple visit to someplace fun like a museum or park, the Friends First experience provides needed one-on-one attention. As the mentor relationship progresses, mentors can refer families to the various support services that they need.

The effectiveness of the Friends First approach is well-documented. As confirmed by a Public/Private Ventures study, mentored children are less likely to skip school and more likely to refrain from drug and alcohol use.

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Grounds for Eviction in Illinois

Established in 1977, Codilis & Associates is a law firm based in Burr Ridge, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The firm offers services in the mortgage lending industry. Additional areas of focus for Codilis and Associates include evictions.

Tenants in Illinois can commit various violations that may lead to a landlord or property owner initiating eviction processes. Reasons for tenant eviction in Illinois include failure to pay rent, property damage, and one or multiple violations of a legally enforceable lease agreement.

However, a tenant can take several actions that cannot cause an eviction. For instance, if a building inspector validates a tenant’s complaints about the building or individual unit, the landlord cannot respond with an eviction notice. Landlords are barred from any discriminatory practices, such as evicting tenants due to race, sex, or familial status.

There are also exceptions to typical grounds for eviction. For example, if a person cannot pay rent because they were forced to temporarily relocate after a domestic violence incident, landlords cannot immediately begin eviction. More broadly, all eviction processes terminate if a landlord accepts late rent before the end of the notice to move period. Any person or family dealing with eviction in Illinois should reach out to a legal professional with experience in landlord-tenant law.

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The Importance of Lawyers in Real Estate

Codilis & Associates is a family of firms established in Illinois to offer accessible legal services. With over four decades of history, Codilis has a wealth of experience providing stellar legal services to its clients. Codilis and Associates’ legal services include handling loss mitigation, bankruptcy, and real estate dealings for clients.

Anyone involved in real estate must get sound legal advice. A real estate lawyer is well versed in property law, and their job is to protect clients' interests in real estate dealings. Property law is extensive, and its complexities arise from legislation dependent on location, property type, and contract stipulations. These complexities can result in confusion which can be costly for an inexperienced person. Real estate attorneys also inform clients of the different property laws unique to each state.

A qualified legal advisor helps avoid many real estate pitfalls when buying or selling. Real estate attorneys draft and inspect contracts before closing a sale. For example, a real estate attorney can prevent a bad purchase by ensuring a clause lets you back out of a purchase if the acquired property fails inspections.

Real estate attorneys are essential for buying, selling, or renting properties. Mortgage companies sometimes require buyers to hire licensed real estate attorneys before financing to ensure contracts are devoid of errors and all paperwork is in order.

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National Pro Bono Week Celebrating Pro Bono Achievements

For more than four decades, Codilis and Associates have offered clients quality services in multiple areas of law, such as real estate law and personal injury services. Codilis & Associates is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

The Illinois State Bar Association brings together more than 28,000 legal professionals to connect, collaborate, and boost their professional knowledge and enhance the administration of justice. ISBA enables lawyers in Illinois to engage in Pro Bono opportunities to give back to the community.

One of the major events ISBA participates in is the annual National Pro Bono Week, organized by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. National Pro Bono Week aims to encourage more lawyers across the U.S. to participate in Pro Bono initiatives.

In addition, legal organizations from across the country come together to commemorate the key contributions American lawyers have made towards Pro Bono. The National Pro Bono Week also reflects how Pro Bono initiatives have impacted the justice system, clients/beneficiaries, and communities. The ISBA often supports its members who engage in Pro Bono service to boost access to the legal system.

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CBA YLS Racial Justice Coaling Working to End Racism

Codilis and Associates, based in Burr Ridge, Illinois, has provided quality legal services to its clients for over four decades. It is a part of the Codilis family of companies in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Texas. Codilis & Associates is affiliated with numerous legal professional associations, including the Chicago Bar Association, and supports initiatives, such as the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Section (YLS) Racial Justice Coalition.

Chicago Bar Association (CBA) seeks to promote its members' welfare and uphold the respect and dignity of the legal profession. Aligning with its mandate, CBA has multiple initiatives, including the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Section (YLS) Racial Justice Coalition, which speaks out against all forms of police brutality and racial discrimination. CBA YLS Racial Justice Coalition works closely with key stakeholders in Chicago legal community to tackle injustice through education, service, and community engagement.

As part of its service initiative, CBA YLS works closely with other bar associations to organize pro bono services to tackle challenges affecting minority groups, address racial disparities, and bring together the legal community and clients. For education, the coalition encourages various bar associations to assist in facilitating training, workshops, speaker series, and seminars to encourage diversity and inclusion within communities. As part of its community engagement efforts, CBA YLS Racial Justice Coalition builds and maintains relationships with local government leaders and community organizations dedicated to promoting social justice, collective participation, and favorable legislation to end systemic racism. In addition, the coalition seeks to uplift groups that have been historically underprivileged.

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What to Look Out for in a Real Estate Contract

Codilis and Associates is an established legal service provider operating in up to five states within the United States. Established in 1977, the firm is home to over 150 employees skilled in various areas of law, including real estate. With its resources and skilled professionals, Codilis & Associates guides clients step-by-step in their real estate transaction processes.

Creating a written real estate agreement is crucial in any property investment process. In the United States, written agreements are essential to give legal validity to a real estate purchase. These documents have several terms and clauses defining the nature of the agreement and protecting the interests of the parties.

One important thing to look out for is the financing contingency clause. This clause allows the buyer to withdraw from the sale if they can no longer finance the property. This usually arises in cases where the buyer's loan falls through or they are unable to sell their old home, which they intended to use as a means of financing. While this clause protects the buyer, sellers must be aware of the effect of this provision, as it typically entitles the buyer to a refund.

Another thing to look out for is inspection contingencies. This is important for buyers as it allows them to bring a third party to examine the property's condition to confirm that it is in good condition. If the home has defects, they can ask the seller to make necessary repairs, the failure of which can entitle the buyer to terminate the agreement. This clause can also allow the buyer to renegotiate for a lower price.

Lastly, it is important to be aware of the terms of closing costs. Closing costs are expenses outside the purchase cost accrued during a transaction, such as appraisal fees, transfer tax, escrow fees, and surveys. Parties should pay attention to how the contract defines responsibilities for closing costs.

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Steps Leading Up to a Foreclosure Complaint in Illinois

Codilis & Associates is a Burr Ridge, Illinois, investor company that delivers real estate solutions in foreclosures and REO closings. Codilis and Associates also focus on mortgagee defense for mortgage holders who have missed mortgage payments.

Lenders typically extend a grace period to mortgage holders who have missed payments before assessing late fees. In Illinois, the mortgage loan status transitions to default after three months. A Notice of Default (NOD) informs the mortgage holder of foreclosure intent for nonpayment by the lender. The NOD makes the foreclosure public record and can lead to debt management service solicitations.

At least 30 days before filing a foreclosure lawsuit, the lender must send out a “breach letter” that lays out steps for the borrower to avoid foreclosure. If the lender does not receive a response to the letter and 120 days since the initial missed payment have passed, the lender can file a foreclosure complaint.