March 11, 18 & 25

(3 sessions)

Please be aware that the first session has a different Zoom link.

Time: 8:00-9:30 ET / 7:00-8:30 CT / 6:00-7:30 MT

 

The Legal Panel

Moderator: David Grosky
Panelists: Mark Weinberg, Alex Yelderman, & Jeffrey Rabin

 

Session 1:

March 11, 2026 -  CLE Session in Conjunction with Decalogue

  • Understanding The Registry with Mark Weinberg and Alex Yelderman

 

Course Material

730 ILCS 152-115           Explanation of the Registry   

Organizations Supporting Reform
 

 

 

Session 2:

March 18 - Compassionate Release with David Grosky

  • Legal standards and eligibility
  • Medical and humanitarian grounds
  • Advocacy strategies and challenges

 

 

 

Session 3:

March 25 - Navigating Social Security Disability: Practice, Evidence, and Appeals with Jeffrey Rabin

  • Define total disability under the Social Security Act
  • Distinguish between SSDI and SSI
  • Identify key factors in obtaining claim approval
  • Understand critical considerations when returning to work while receiving benefits

Social Security Disability: Change and Confusion

This non-legal presentation provides a clear overview of Social Security disability programs and the claims process. Mr. Rabin explains how the Social Security Administration evaluates claims and offers practical guidance on preparing strong applications, developing medical evidence, and understanding return-to-work rules for SSDI and SSI beneficiaries.

The session is designed to clarify a complex system and help participants protect and assert their rights under the Social Security Act. Questions and discussion are encouraged.

 

The Facilitators:

 

David Grosky , is a 1983 graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and a 1986 graduate of the Chicago-Kent College of Law. Mr. Grosky was a member of the Federal Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois from 1987-2007. During these years in private practice, Mr. Grosky specialized in complex business bankruptcy and commercial litigation matters.

David is employed as Sales Development Manager at Visiplex Inc. in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Visiplex is a global leader and provider of Wireless Emergency Notification systems to schools, nursing homes, places of worship and manufacturing and other industry companies. Mr. Grosky has devoted his time and energy to assisting prison inmates with their legal and administrative research, writing and filing needs. He often assists as a legal advisor to the Hinda Institute where Mr. Grosky serves in several other capacities.

 

 

Mark Weinberg, Esq.,  is a 1984 graduate of Yale College and a 1988 graduate of the Law School at the University of Chicago. Since 2001, he has been a solo practitioner with a focus on civil rights law. Since 2014, his main professional focus has been litigating the constitutionality of laws and policies directed at people convicted of sex offenses. Mr. Weinberg is widely regarded as an expert in the area of sex offense law and policy and regularly consults with criminal defense and civil rights attorneys throughout the country regarding such issues.

 

 

Alexandra Yelderman joined the Chicago-Kent College of Law faculty in fall 2025. Her research explores black markets, focusing specifically on how technology regulation impacts exploitation within criminal economies.


Prior to coming to Chicago-Kent, Yelderman taught at Jacksonville University College of Law and Notre Dame Law School, and worked as an attorney at the Human Trafficking Legal Center in Washington, D.C.
Yelderman earned her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, and her B.A. in religion and math from New York University.

 

 

Jeffrey A. Rabin is an Illinois attorney who has focused his practice on representing individuals seeking Social Security disability benefits since 1980. He founded Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd. in 1988 and represents clients nationwide at all administrative levels and in federal court.
In December 2022, Mr. Rabin became Executive Director of NAMI Cook County North Suburban, where he oversees daily operations and expands community outreach. His involvement with NAMI began in 2012 as a board member of NAMI DuPage County, and he served as Board Chair from 2016 to 2021.

Mr. Rabin has served in leadership roles with numerous advocacy organizations, including as Chair of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County (2015–2017) and as a member-at-large of CHHRGE, which addresses the intersection of homelessness and access to medical care.

In 2000, he was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Coordinating Committee. He has also served in leadership and advisory roles with the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Chemical Sensitivity Coalition of Chicago, the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society of Illinois, and the Northern Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Society.

From 1993 to 2001, Mr. Rabin served as an elected member of the Deerfield District 109 School Board, including one year as Board President. He has also served on the Board of Directors of Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Deerfield, Illinois.

In 2013, Mr. Rabin received the Volunteer Advocate of the Year Award from the Lupus Foundation of Illinois.

Mr. Rabin is a frequent national speaker on Social Security disability issues, regularly presenting for the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) and numerous community, legal, and governmental organizations. He has testified before Congress, been featured on 60 Minutes, and published articles on disability law.

Mr. Rabin earned his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law and a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri–Columbia. He lives in Lincolnshire, Illinois, with his wife Shari, a paralegal and community volunteer, and Milo, their funny Bernedoodle.  They enjoy spending time with their seven grandchildren.