Vested Interest - June 2002 Issue

The President’s Thoughts

On September 14, 2002, we will celebrate 50 years of ITLA at a party in Chicago. We are all part of an organization whose goal has been to foster and protect the rights of people who are injured. We have successfully pursued this goal. On June 7, 2002, I will be inducted as the President of ITLA. I am honored and proud to lead this organization of great lawyers, wonderful friends and the people I admire most in my professional life.

This year will be critical for ITLA. For a brief moment, I would like to look forward by looking back. In 1974, Richard Nixon resigned as President; Patty Hearst was abducted by terrorists; Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record; "Sting" was the number one movie at the box office; and "The Way We Were" was the top single. Many of us remember these events vividly, but to our children they are "history" just like the depression and World War II was to the baby boomers. For those sports aficionados among our members, in 1974, Miami defeated Minnesota 24 to 7 in the Super Bowl; the Oakland A’s and Reggie Jackson defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to one in the World Series; the Celtics defeated Milwaukee four games to three in the NBA; Philadelphia defeated Boston four to two in the Stanley Cup; Chris Everett and Jimmy Connors won Wimbledon; North Carolina State defeated Marquette in the NCAA Championship game; and Oklahoma and USC shared the National Championship in football. Fred Allen was the President of ITLA. I was a graduate student at the University of Chicago studying history and education. Jim Collins was in third grade at Robert Frost Elementary School in Mt. Prospect, and Dan Kirschner, Co-Chairman of our Young Lawyers Section, was three years old.

And that was the last time the Democrats won an election that gave them legislative and executive control in Illinois. Twenty-eight years is a long time. This year we have the opportunity to advance the rights of the injured by supporting Rod Blagojevich, Emil Jones and the Senate candidates and Michael Madigan in the House. This challenge is formidable. These victories will take money. We will all be asked to sacrifice. And if this endeavor is successful, I would encourage those winning Democrats and their supporters to heed the admonition of the 18th Century political theorist, Edmund Burke, when he wrote, "The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse."

Every member of ITLA can play an important part in the challenge that faces us this year. I believe that there are members of ITLA who feel, or at least have the impression, that our organization is really just for the "big firms" of Chicago. There maybe a certain irony in me mentioning this impression because I certainly come from, and am proud to be a part of, one of those firms. However, I would like this year to start with a sense of inclusion of all the members of ITLA. ITLA is not just firms, it is wonderful, competent and caring people all over the State. I have sent a letter to each of you encouraging you to get involved. Again, I ask you to call me directly so that we can talk about your participation in ITLA and how ITLA can better serve you and the people you represent. Anyone who knows me will tell you that this offer is not just some gimmick to liven up my first Vested Interest statement.

This year is replete with opportunity for our organization. With opportunity comes a significant challenge. I think this organization is primed to succeed in accomplishing our goals this year. I am excited to be part of that effort.

Robert J. Bingle, President 2002-2003
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association