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 […]
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Scripting your funeral
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 […]
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Real estate commissions have changed
Important changes to the way real estate agents are paid went into effect Aug. 17, but will buyers and sellers be affected significantly? In the past, the seller of a property has generally paid the entire commission, which is typically a percentage of the property’s sale price. The commission is then split between the seller’s […]
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AI and the law
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. […]
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New rules for non-compete agreements
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 […]
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The tax rules of giving
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 […]
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Buying a business
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 […]
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Dealing with mine subsidence
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 […]
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Statutes of limitation
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 […]
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New laws
Our legislature has been at it again, passing a slew of new bills that have now been enacted into law. Mandatory paid leave Perhaps the most significant new law is the “Paid Leave for All Workers Act.” Illinois was the third state to pass a law requiring employers to provide paid leave to employees […]
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Mandatory retirement plans and more
The state of Illinois employs more than 76,000 people, the governor’s office has 157 staff members and every senator and representative has several staff members. I assume most of these people have no idea what it is like to run a small business, but they love to pile on the requirements for those of you […]
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Who’s in charge of mom and dad?
Unfortunately, something we see frequently in our law practice are disagreements among siblings over who is in charge of caring for mom and/or dad when they become incapable of caring for themselves. Who decides who is in charge, and what limits are there for that person? Mom and dad can decide for themselves who will […]