The Illinois Judges Association (IJA) Joint Midyear Meeting, held with the Illinois State Bar Association, is an opportunity for judges and attorneys to connect and collaborate, as well as receive Continuing Legal Education (CLE). Please plan on joining us December 11–12, 2025, in Chicago.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025
ISBA Member Appreciation Reception featuring Glo Bingo!
6:00–10:00 pm
Join the ISBA Board of Governors, Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Council, and staff for food, beverages, and a fun evening of Glo Bingo! New this year, we will be assisting the ISBA YLD in their efforts to raise money for the ISBA YLD Children’s Assistance Fund. Each round of bingo offers the opportunity for attendees to win up to $200, plus a $300 donation to the Children’s Assistance Fund! Find additional details and sponsorship options here.
Member Appreciation Reception: Complimentary to Joint Midyear Meeting Registered Attendees
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2025, CLE
IJA/ISBA Joint CLE Program: The Legal Profession: Caretakers of Democracy
9:00–11:50 am
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association
2.50 hours MCLE credit
The legal profession has always served as a guardian of democracy, with lawyers and judges playing a pivotal role in upholding the rule of law, protecting individual rights, and ensuring equal access to justice. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leaders in our legal community as they discuss why lawyers are required to interact with the public, how to navigate speaking events (especially when in less than comfortable settings), and the executive orders that impact law firms.
Program Speakers: Hon. David W. Ellis, Illinois Appellate Court, First District, Nathan P. Eimer, Eimer Stahl LLP, Chicago, Cara Hendrickson, Executive Deputy Attorney General, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Chicago, Prof. James B. Speta, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Chicago, Hon. Justin M. Hansen, 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, Hon. Elizabeth M. Rochford, Illinois Supreme Court, John C. Sciaccotta, Aronberg Goldgehn, Chicago, Hon. Janelle Christensen, 19th Judicial Circuit Court and James R. Figliulo, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, Chicago.
IJA/ISBA Joint CLE Program: Complimentary to Midyear Meeting Registered Attendees. If you wish to receive CLE credit for this program, you must register separately
IJA thanks the Educational Programming Committee for its work
LUNCHEON with NBC 5’s Emmy Winning Journalist Mary Ann Ahern
12:00 pm
Mary Ann Bergerson Ahern joined NBC5 News in March 1989 and was named Political Reporter in 2006. She has covered political campaigns from the White House to Springfield and Chicago, including presidential primaries and elections, and has reported on multiple mayoral transitions in Chicago.
Ahern is recognized for her reporting on the Roman Catholic Church, including coverage from Rome on papal events, canonizations, and the priest sex abuse crisis. She broke several major stories related to the Church, including the 1991 disclosure that led to the Archdiocese opening its files and creating a lay review board.
Over her career, Ahern has reported nationally for NBC affiliates, covered everyday news and extraordinary human-interest stories, and conducted high-profile interviews, including the last television interview with Christopher Reeve in 2004.
Before NBC5, she was political reporter at WXIA-TV in Atlanta (1985–1989) and reporter/weekend anchor at WEEK-TV in Peoria (1982–1985). A native of Michigan City, Indiana, Ahern holds a B.A. from John Carroll University, a Master’s in Education from Northeastern Illinois University, and a Master’s in Journalism from Northwestern University. She has received multiple Emmy awards and the Peter Lisagor Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Headline Club (2012).
Purchase luncheon tickets below or send your check by December 5, 2025, made payable to the Illinois Judges Association: 321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604
Illinois Judges Association members who are attending IJA luncheon only are not required to register for the ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting but must register and/or purchase tickets directly through the ISBA website for NO EXTRA FEE. Participation in any Joint Midyear Meeting events or programs, including but not limited to receptions, Joint Programming, Section Council, Committee or Assembly meetings, does require Joint Midyear Meeting registration.
IJA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
1:30 pm
LODGING/PARKING
Headquarter hotel: JW Marriott Chicago | 151 West Adams Street | Chicago
2025 Rate: $212 for single or double occupancy, plus applicable taxes
Deadline: The deadline for making reservations for lodging is November 17. Reservations received after this date will be subject to availability.
Reservations: JW Marriott
Cancellations: The deposit will be forfeited for all no-shows, early departures, and cancellations less than 72 hours prior to arrival.
Parking:
JW Marriott Valet Parking:
- 0-3 hours: $31
- 3-6 hours: $55
- 6-24 hours $88 (overnight, includes “in and out” privileges)
*Please note: Parking prices are set by JW Marriott and subject to change without notice. The overnight fee is valid until 12:00 p.m. on check out day. Any time past 12:00 p.m. will be billed at an additional $12 per hour. Valet parking only with in/out privileges included in fee. Large SUVs and other oversized vehicles not allowed.
Self-parking Options (not hotel managed):
- iParkit | Towers Self Park | 211 West Adams Street
- Legacy Parking | Washington Madison Wells Garage | 172 W Madison
- SpotHero