articles by topic

This index includes every article in First Reading since its inception in 1986, organized by subject matter.  Issues of First Reading from June 2000 to the present are available for download and linked.  Contact the Research Unit for availability of articles from older issues.  Abstracts of reports required to be filed with the General Assembly, which are included in each issue, are not included in this index.

legal issues

"Baby Jessica" Case and Illinois Adoption Law-Jan 94, p. 1

Bank Customers May Need More Privacy-Mar 90, p. 6

Bone Marrow Transplants Spark Debate-Jun 90, p. 1

Determining Paternity at Birth-Nov 95, p. 2

Fighting Fraud Against Elderly-Sep 96, p. 10

Grandparent Visitation Controversy Persists-Sep 96, p. 1

Grandparent Visits Get Little Help from Courts-Jun 2008, p. 1

Illinois, Florida Self-Defense Laws Differ-May 2012, p. 10

Laws on Financial Exploitation of Senior Citizens-Dec 2019, p. 1

Legal Validity of Faxed Documents-Jan 90, p. 8

Naming Fathers on Birth Certificates-Nov 95, p. 3

New Telephone Technologies Raise Privacy Issues-Jan 92, p. 1

Some States Limit Punitive Damages-Jan 95, p. 15