COOK COUNTY RECORD

As he was about to leave office, former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law a bill, strongly supported by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, that would have reduced the number of jurors in state civil trials from 12 to six. On Sept. 22, the Illinois Supreme Court rescinded the law in a unanimous 5-0 vote, declaring unconstitutional the law, which would have had deep implications for the state's civil justice system.

A recent U.S. District Court ruling that denied a challenge to state limits on campaign contributions is being appealed.

A recent appellate court ruling highlights the special status state law confers on those who hold elected public office, and use that office to level claims against opponents and critics - even if those assertions may be considered defamatory if they had been uttered by a private citizen.

CHICAGO – "Star Wars" creator and digital effects technology pioneer George Lucas recently announced the group led by him and his wife, financial executive and Chicago native Mellody Hobson, was abandoning efforts to build a futuristic museum showcasing his art collection on Chicago's lakefront.