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Advocacy
IDC gives voice to our shared values in order to shape our legal system. Whether it be through Amicus Briefs, monitoring legislation, judicial receptions or the Defense Trail Counsels' PAC, the IDC is the Voice of the Defense Bar in Illinois.
Amicus Briefs
The IDC Amicus Committee works with the Directors and Officers to identify important cases and recruit counsel to prepare amicus briefs so that the voice of the membership is heard on legal issues that are pending before Illinois reviewing courts.
Monitoring Legislation
The Illinois General Assembly has become more aggressive in proposing legislation detrimental to the legal system. Through the efforts of our officers and directors, the IDC watches legislation and notifies our members when onerous bills are on the move.
Political Action
The IDC maintains a political action committee, the Defense Trial Counsels' PAC, for contributing to state campaigns. The Defense Trial Counsels' PAC is a committee of IDC that is separately constituted for the purpose of serving the membership in the political arenas. It is dedicated to the consideration of supporting candidates standing for election to legislative and judicial positions in state and local elections, and to participation in the political process when opportunities arise to appear at functions and discuss with candidates and political leaders the role of IDC in the political process. IDC PAC does not have the financial resources to command the attention that the mere contribution of campaign contributions can have; instead, IDC PAC relies on the membership to contribute legal expertise to legislative committees and political leaders to maintain its envied image of whole-hearted support for the legal system, demanding a level playing field, preserving the right to a jury trial, and refusing participation in unfair single purpose partisan agendas. IDC PAC is funded by voluntary and generally quite modest contributions by the civil trial defense community including of course IDC members. IDC PAC is managed by a board of directors all of whom are past presidents of IDC.
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