Well this article from the LA Times seems to be the talk of the criminal defense community. Read the article here.
In a 2-1 decision by our Appellate Court in People v McLaurin, 2008 Ill. App. LEXIS 426, the court reversed Mr McLaurin’s conviction when he was excluded from discussions among the lawyers and judge about five jury notes and when the trial court directed the sheriff to have an ex-parte discussion with the jurors by telling them to continue to deliberate.
Recently, in my post regarding issues of concern, I told you that we would be distributing a survey to the membership in order to discern the issues that were most important. That survey has been completed and the survey chair, Arlene Floren, is in the process of analyzing the results.
As to retros and the 1% issue, you know what showed up on your check and the issue seems moot–but we will continue to seek an interest payment on the retro amount.
On July 1st and 2nd, 19 of your brothers and sisters participated in a 16- hour training that led to official certification by AFSCME as stewards for our local. The participants, who gained certification are: JOE GUMP (RM), MONIQUE PATTERSON (26TH), AMY THOMPSON (HTF), TIM LEEMING (LRD), BRUCE MOSBACHER (26TH), LINDA PEREZ (MKM), PERSITA WEST (MKM), RICHARD KRUSS (26TH), BEATRIZ SANTIAGO (26TH), KEVIN OCHALLA (26TH), ARLENE FLOREN (CIV), STEVE DOHR (CIV), KRISTINA MENZEL (JJD), LARRY KUGLER (RM), GEORGEEN CARSON (SK), MARTHA FITZSIMMONS (MDD), MICHELLE THOMAS (FSU), AMBER MILLER (1ST MUNI) and lastly, your president, K. S. GALHOTRA (HTF). Both new and old stewards learned tips, techniques and tools to better represent our members.
Two of our three annual union sponsored social events will be taking place this month and the next. On July 24, 2008, we will be enjoying a day of golf, food and drink at Eaglewood Resort in Itasca. This was the same place as last year, but we are hoping the weather will be a bit different this year. Please call George Grezca (HTF) at x5072 if you have not signed up for a foursome or want more information. Click here for information on the resort.The annual boat cruise is shipwrecked again — at Castaways on North Avenue Beach. The party will be held on August 22, 2008 (a Friday night) and will include food and drink similar to last year. More information will be posted on the website so stay tuned – or call Amy Thompson at x6929.
The local’s petition and complaint in the Chancery division continues and is next scheduled before Judge Riley on July 21, 2008.
So that’s what’s going on this summer …. KSG.
