Abstract
For quantum Hall systems, in the limit of large magnetic field B (or equivalently small electron band mass mb), the static response of electrons to a spatially varying magnetic field is largely determined by kinetic-energy considerations. This response is not correctly given in existing approximations based on the fermion Chern-Simons theory of the partially filled Landau level. We remedy this problem by attaching an orbital magnetization to each fermion to separate the current into magnetization and transport contributions, associated with the cyclotron and guiding center motions, respectively. This leads to a Chern-Simons Fermi-liquid description of the nu = 1/2 m state which correctly predicts the m(b) dependence of the static and dynamic response in the limit m(b) --> 0.