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I recently met with a prospective client to discuss representing him in a possible business venture. As we discussed the scope of my representation, he said that he planned to sign some standard contracts with various venders and he would not need my help because, other than the price terms, it was all just boilerplate. […]

Starting in 2025, there will be quite a few new laws that will affect Illinois employers. Changes include wage transparency obligations in job postings, inclusion of family responsibilities and reproductive health decisions as protected categories under the Illinois Human Rights Act, stricter record keeping and access requirements under the Personnel Records Review Act and additional […]

Commercial property insurance The recent fire on Adams Street downtown has raised some interesting questions about commercial property insurance coverage, especially from a tenant’s perspective. When leasing a commercial space, tenants generally focus on the main terms of the lease, typically the rent and the question of which party bears the expense of maintenance and […]

Hunter S. Thompson’s ashes were shot out of a cannon. Luke Perry was buried in a mushroom death suit. Aretha Franklin had three viewings with a different wardrobe for each and another outfit change for her burial. Elizabeth Taylor left instructions that she arrive late for her own funeral. If you want something unusual for […]

Artificial intelligence has rapidly transformed various sectors, from health care and finance to transportation and entertainment. As AI technologies become increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, they present unique challenges and opportunities for the legal field. Most people probably don’t realize it, but the state of Illinois has taken a leading role in establishing artificial intelligence policies. […]

I’ve had lots of questions lately about the new rule issued by the Federal Trade Commission that significantly restricts the use of non-compete clauses in employment contracts. This decision, announced in early 2024, aims to enhance labor mobility, foster competition and ultimately benefit both workers and the economy at large. Whether it will actually do […]

People frequently ask me how much they can give to someone at any one time. The answer for most of us is any amount you want. The federal government imposes a transfer tax on all American citizens and residents, but there is an exemption of $13,610,000 per person as of Jan. 1, 2024. This amount […]

If you want to work for yourself, you may well be thinking about purchasing an existing small business. It could be a printer, restaurant or distributor, for example. The current business owner may be looking to retire or is simply tired of the stress of owning and managing a business. Chances are the business doesn’t […]

You may have been shocked to hear that mine subsidence forced Lutheran High School to relocate in 2022. The idea of your place of business or residence being affected by a similar event might seem alarming at first. Springfield is known for the presence of underground mines, so this possibility might be more common than […]

All too often we operate under the rule of: Why do today what can be done tomorrow? But, under the law, that kind of delay may well result in certain rights being forever barred. Illinois law has specific rules regarding time limits within which claims must be brought as lawsuits. These rules are strictly enforced […]