By: Tracey L. Schroeder
The WBAI Legislative Committee was proud to host a hybrid CLE program, “How a Bill Becomes Law in Illinois & Why Attorneys Should Care,” on January 26. The panel was moderated by Erica Tremble and featured insightful presentations from Kendra Piercy, Mary Hanahan, and Maria Virginia Martinez.
Designed with practicing attorneys in mind, this practical program demystified the Illinois legislative process and provided attendees with tools to track, analyze, and interpret pending legislation. The presentation opened with a clear overview of how bills move through the Illinois General Assembly, followed by a step-by-step demonstration of how to navigate the General Assembly’s website to monitor legislative activity in real time. Panelists also walked attendees through effective strategies for reading and understanding Illinois bills.
The program concluded with a discussion of why legislative developments matter to legal practitioners, using real-world examples of statutes enacted in response to court rulings and stakeholder-driven litigation. The CLE wrapped up with an engaging question-and-answer session.
Complimentary light appetizers were provided for in-person attendees.
This article was originally published in the WBAI Winter 2026 Newsletter on page 59.