West Dundee attorney taken to court - again

West Dundee attorney William Chesbrough, who was already facing criminal charges and potential disbarment, is now being taken to civil court by his bank.

Citibank filed a complaint in Kane County this month alleging Chesbrough owes nearly $65,000 in cash advances and charges for goods and services. The complaint says he hadn't made a payment since August 2009, despite being $7,448 over his $57,500 line of credit.

The lawsuit is just the latest in a series of legal troubles for the 57-year-old, who was indicted last year on two counts of theft and one count of financial exploitation of the elderly after being accused of stealing more than $140,000 from two clients. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission subsequently recommended he be disbarred.

Chesbrough has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges, the most serious of which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. His attorney, Gary Johnson, declined to comment.

James Grogan, deputy administrator of the IARDC, said the recommendation to strip Chesbrough's law license would be reviewed for a ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court in coming months. But he is currently not authorized to practice law in Illinois, where he was first licensed in 1980, according to public records.

In the civil case, which goes to a judge on Sept. 20, Citibank is seeking full payment of Chesbrough's debt, including $1,475 in interest, plus court costs. His next court date in the criminal matter is Aug. 6 in St. Charles.

Busted: Campton Hills police wrote more than 100 tickets in a two-week, traffic-safety campaign leading up to the Fourth of July.

The special enforcement effort, starting June 18, was the fourth of five campaigns to be funded by a $17,444 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation, and focuses on speeding, seat belt violations and impaired driving.

In all, police said, 16 motorists were cited for seat belt violations, 75 for speeding, and three for driving under the influence. Officers also handed out educational materials on traffic safety.

Attorney honored: The Illinois State Bar Association recently honored an Aurora attorney with its Young Lawyer of the Year Award.

Diane M. Law was recognized at the bar association's 134th annual meeting June 25 in St. Louis. She is a managing partner at Law ElderLaw, LLP, a firm founded by her father. According to a news release, Law graduated from the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2004, and since has lobbied politicians at the local and national levels for legislation benefiting the elderly and disabled. She also files 10 to 20 Medicaid application a month, and has never had any of them denied.

In addition to serving on the ISBA's Elder Law Counsel and the Standing Committee on Women and the Law, she will become the Kane County Bar Association's youngest board president when she is installed in 2011. Law also regularly volunteers her services on behalf of wartime veterans and the Senior Services Association.