Civil Disagreements: Unitary Executive Theory
2026-02-17 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
The Unitary Executive Theory: Legitimate Constitutional Theory or Path to Dictatorship?
Click here to register.

Article II of the U. S. Constitution provides in part that the executive power of the United States government “shall be vested” in “a President” of the United States.
On its face, this provision would seem to give the president ultimate control over the entire Executive branch, including the power to hire and fire its members for any reason or no reason at all.
Yet one of the hallmarks of the federal government in the past roughly one hundred years has been the growth with the Executive Branch of the administrative state, including administrative law judges, inspectors general, the civil service, and various commissions.
To what extent does the Constitution give the President absolute authority over such agencies and commissions, and to what extent do the Congress and the Supreme Court have power to reign the President in?
This program is part of Civil Disagreements, a debate and discussion series of timely, contentious topics sponsored by the American Bar Association Division for Public Education, American Constitution Society Chicago and Austin Chapters, Federalist Society Chicago Chapter, Reform for Illinois, Courts Matter Illinois, and the Chicago Council of Lawyers.
1 hour of CLE will be available to Illinois lawyers from Reform for Illinois. Program materials are available by clicking here.

Attorneys As Public Citizens
2026-02-20 18:00 - 21:00 | University of Illinois Chicago, School of Law, 300 S State Street, Chicago, IL, 60604, United States
The Chicago Council of Lawyers is partnering up with the Hispanic Lawyers Association (HLAI) for a Public Citizen Training on February 20, 2026, at UIC Law from 6 – 9 PM.
This event will be an opportunity for attorneys to learn how they can join a network of rapid response attorneys.
The training will be grounded in the Rules of Professional Responsibility and is pending CLE credit. It will focus on the role of lawyers as public citizens and our unique responsibility for the quality of justice in our communities.
The presentation will provide information on how attorneys fulfill the role to administer justice, the role of a public citizen, de-escalation training for attorneys supporting events or rapid response efforts, street medic information, Know Your Rights information, conducting risk assessments, and methods of documentation. We will discuss tools that build community and build public relationships that promote the fair administration of justice. We will use the framework that guides non-violent advocacy and community building.
Food and refreshments will be provided. Individual tickets are free and must be reserved by clicking here.

National Lawyers Guild - Week of Abolition 2026: "Abolish ICE"
2026-03-02 - 2026-03-06
The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) will host its annual Week of Abolition from March 2–6, 2026, themed “Abolish ICE.” This week of programming includes educational events, advocacy initiatives, and community engagement focused on immigration enforcement policy, detention practices, and broader abolitionist legal frameworks.
This event may be of interest to Chicago Council of Lawyers members who follow developments in immigration law, detention policy, and federal enforcement practices.
For more information and a schedule of events, visit:
https://www.nlg.org/woa/

Civil Liberties Committee Meeting
2026-03-13 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-04-10 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-05-08 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-06-12 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-07-10 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-08-14 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-09-11 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-10-09 12:00 - 13:15 and 2 more dates
The Civil Liberties Committee meets monthly on the second Friday of every month from 12 pm – 1:15 pm CT to address current civil liberties issues ranging from police accountability in Chicago to the Administration’s anti-immigration efforts, to trans rights, and everything in between. The committee researches, prepares, and issues statements advocating for reform.
Email ccl@chicagocouncil.org about your interest in joining this committee so you can be informed about meeting links, agendas, updates, and opportunities.
We welcome your active engagement!

Illinois Supreme Court Public Hearing
2026-04-09 10:00 - 12:00
The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee is seeking public comments on three proposals that will be considered at a public hearing on April 9, 2026, in Chicago.
Written comments should be submitted no later than April 2 to RulesCommittee@illinoiscourts.gov or via mail to:
Committee Secretary
Supreme Court Rules Committee
222 N. LaSalle St., 13th Floor
Chicago, IL, 60601
Those interested in being scheduled to testify at the public hearing should send an email to the Rules Committee Secretary by April 2, 2026.
The hearing will be livestreamed.
Click here to see the official release from the Supreme Court of Illinois.
