• Board Members
• Director and Staff
• Purpose and History
• News and Publications

News and Publications

< Back to all articles

Administration of Program for MCLE Being Put in Place

By Hon. Michael J. Chmiel

On September 29, 2005, the Supreme Court of Illinois (the "Supreme Court") ordered Minimum Continuing Legal Education ("MCLE") under Supreme Court Rules 790 through 798. With certain exceptions set forth under Rule 791(a), MCLE is required for "every attorney admitted to practice in the State of Illinois." See Ill. S. Ct. R. 791(a). The rules cover the administration of the Program for MCLE (the "Program") (see Ill. S. Ct. R. 792), what education is actually required (see Ill. S. Ct. R. 793-794), and what programs can be accredited for such education (see Ill. S. Ct. R. 795).

On November 23, 2005, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 792, the Supreme Court appointed nine persons to serve on the initial MCLE Board.

On December 15, 2005, the MCLE Board held its first meeting in Chicago, when and where officers were elected and committees were established. At this first meeting, the MCLE Board decided to focus on the hiring of a Director for the Program and the organization of its operations. Since then, the MCLE Board has met two additional times in person and various other times through electronic means.

On March 20, 2006, following the receipt of numerous applications and interviews, the MCLE Board met to appoint a Director for the Program. At that meeting, the MCLE Board also decided to locate its administrative offices in Chicago.

On April 11, 2006, the Supreme Court approved the appointment of Karen Litscher Johnson as the Program’s first Director. Johnson began work on April 19, 2006, after previously serving as National Director of Professional Development at DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary, and Director of Attorney Placement at Mestel & Company.

At meetings on April 24 and May 5, 2006, the MCLE Board has turned its focus to its budget, accreditation, reciprocity, and the Rules. The MCLE Board has approved its first budget and recommendations to the Supreme Court on fees. A committee of the MCLE Board is working to establish policies and procedures for the accreditation of continuing legal education providers and programs. Another committee is reviewing reciprocity for programs accredited by the other forty-one or so other States which require continuing legal education as well. A third committee is receiving and reviewing questions concerning the Rules.

The MCLE Board remains cognizant of the desires of attorneys who are anxious to know whether attendance at certain continuing legal education programs will cover their requirements. As well, the MCLE Board remains cognizant of the desires of continuing legal education providers to know how and when they can get their programs accredited. As the end of May nears, the MCLE Board is targeting the beginning of the initial reporting period – July 1, 2006 – as the date by which it plans to have the administration of the Program in place. The MCLE Board is endeavoring to advance this date as much as it can, and will issue press releases as soon as new information becomes available. Additional information can be found at www.state.il.us/court/MCLE.

Note on Author: Judge Chmiel serves as a Director on the MCLE Board and as its Treasurer. He sits as a Circuit Judge in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of the State of Illinois in McHenry County.

Up to top

Thank you for your interest in Illinois MCLE.
General questions, suggestions or comments? Contact Us

Think Green
The office of the MCLE Board is paperless. We are committed to accepting and processing applications and related communications electronically. Instructions are on the relevant application. Paper submissions will be destroyed after 30 days and returned only at the applicant's request and cost. If you encounter difficulties with an electronic submission, please contact the office before making the submission.