One would think that when purchasing a business through an asset sale, a seller’s legacy liabilities stay with the seller and don’t attach to the buyer. In most instances that’s true. The purchaser of a business asset is not going to be on the hook for existing liabilities connected to the assets. But there are […]
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Nonprofit basics
We’ve written before about issues potential board members should consider before joining the board of a nonprofit, but we’ve never really looked at some of the broader legal issues that are unique to nonprofits. As the nonprofit sector continues to play an ever-increasing role in communities across Illinois (think of recent developments with our own […]
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Deeds and real property transfers
Transferring ownership of a home is one of the most significant legal transactions the majority of people will ever undertake. In Illinois, real estate transfers are governed by a combination of state statutes, common law principles and local recording practices. Whether you are selling your home, gifting property to a family member, placing property into […]
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New laws for 2026
It’s that time of year again when we explore what our legislature has been up to this past year. In a case of the state actually trying to be helpful, cocktails to go (first introduced during COVID-19 restrictions) are now permanent, which should be a boon to the restaurant industry. The state created a new […]
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Big dilemmas for tiny houses
The recent passage of a moratorium on tiny houses in Ward 2 comes with some conditions, namely, that the city engage in a review of zoning and housing policies, hold at least two community engagement sessions, assess economic, environmental and social impacts of tiny homes in Ward 2, and make recommendations to the city council […]
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Free speech 101
The principle of free speech is a cornerstone of American democracy, enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It guarantees that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech,” basically protecting an individual’s right to express ideas, opinions and beliefs without government interference. Yet, when it comes to the workplace, […]
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Probate and how to avoid it
Have you attended an estate planning seminar or read promotional materials that claim you must have a living trust to avoid probate? Has a salesperson come to your home with frightening information about probate? What is probate, and how can it be avoided?Probate is the administration of a person’s estate though the courts. Probate can […]
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The Big Beautiful Bill
Politicians have some significant differences, but they all seem to have one thing in common – most of what they say isn’t true, or isn’t quite true. What you think “no taxes on tips,” “no taxes on Social Security benefits” and “no taxes on overtime” mean might not be what those things mean in the […]
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Illinois cybersecurity laws
In today’s digital world, cybersecurity is no longer an option – it’s essential. Whether you’re a business handling customer data or an individual concerned about your digital footprint, knowing your rights and responsibilities is critical. Cybersecurity laws serve several crucial purposes. They establish standards for protecting sensitive information, outline consequences for cybercrimes, mandate breach disclosures […]
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Evicting a tenant
Evicting a tenant is a legal process that can be complex and emotionally charged for both landlords and tenants. In Illinois, eviction laws are governed by state statutes, local ordinances and court procedures. For landlords, understanding the correct steps is essential to ensure compliance with legal requirements and to avoid potential financial or legal repercussions. […]
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The lurking danger of legacy liability
One would think that when purchasing a business through an asset sale, a seller’s legacy liabilities stay with the seller and don’t attach to the buyer. In most instances that’s true. The purchaser of a business asset is not going to be on the hook for existing liabilities connected to the assets. But there are […]
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Plan for a successful succession plan
Every business needs a succession plan. If you are a business owner, you will cease to own and control your business at some point, due to death, disability, sale, gift or liability reasons. If you plan in advance, you may be able to control whether or not your departure is successful. Your succession plan may […]