Baker Sterchi Member Laura Beasley will present a virtual program entitled “Let’s Be Blunt: What You Need To Know About the Legalization of Marijuana” to members of the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce today, September 24. The program will focus on how new marijuana laws affect Illinois businesses. Beasley, located in Baker Sterchi’s Belleville, Illinois office, focuses her practice in the areas of civil litigation defense, general liability, class action/mass torts, insurance coverage, personal injury, and product liability. She represents individuals, institutions and corporate clients in all phases of litigation. Beasley earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geography from Austin Peay…
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Today’s modern technology has changed the way we live compared to just decades ago. Cellular or mobile phones allow us to communicate while on the go. They can come in handy when you find yourself stranded with a flat tire on the side of the road and need to call for help. However, cell phones are one of the leading causes of distracted driving. According to reports from the National Safety Council (NSC), driving while using a cell phone leads to 1.6 million automobile accidents every year in the United States. That means one out of every four car crashes…
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Nobody really wants to undergo surgery, but in most cases, it is the only viable solution to fix a problem or injury from which a person is suffering. In these situations, the patient puts his or her trust in the doctors and medical staff. Medical professionals have a legal duty of care to their patients, and if they breach that duty, it may be considered negligence or malpractice. If you or your loved one was hurt during a medical procedure of any kind, an experienced personal injury attorney can help determine liability and seek compensation for your damages. Depending…
After months of delays, Illinois finally released top scores for coveted cannabis dispensary licenses. The 75 available licenses went to only 21 companies. These companies will be entered into a lottery, which the state will hold next month. The scoring process and implementation of the law have come under intense scrutiny. Allegations of unfair scoring and mismanagement of the social equity intent of the law triggered multiple lawsuits. Illinois Dispensary Licenses Released Illinois’ long-awaited announcement of the winners of the cannabis dispensary licenses has drawn much criticism from around the state. Earlier this month, the Illinois Department of Financial and…
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Across the country, moratoriums have been placed on eviction and foreclosure proceedings as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. At the end of August, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that it was extending the foreclosure moratorium for federally-backed single-family home mortgages until the end of the year at the earliest. The moratorium was set to expire on August 31, but the FHFA recognized that many homeowners still face serious struggles when it comes to making their mortgage payments. While non-federally-backed mortgages are not directly affected by the moratorium, most private lenders have followed suit and are holding off…
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Before your marriage, you and your partner may have given significant time and consideration to the creation of a prenuptial agreement that clarifies each of your interests in and control over marital and non-marital properties. A thoughtful prenuptial agreement can be useful not only to smooth the process of a possible divorce but also to reduce uncertainty and increase comfort throughout your marriage. However, you may find in the years following your marriage that your original prenuptial agreement is insufficient or no longer relevant to your current situation. In this case, you may want to consider legally amending it. Reasons…
Musicians have been trying for years to control whether and which politicians may play their music at events. Many see their efforts as a natural reaction to a legitimate concern with having their art associated with someone whose views may not align with their own. As seen in a recently filed lawsuit by Neil Young against President Trump’s reelection campaign, musicians are trying out new strategies. There is no love lost between Young and President Trump. The President has been using Young’s songs at rallies and events ever since he announced his campaign in 2015. This never sat well with…
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The images are everywhere on the news; protesters, exercising their Constitutionally protected right to free speech, fleeing from clouds of tear gas thrown by the police. What we have seen protesters enduring in recent months has been downright inhumane. Setting aside the fact that protesters are being abused by law enforcement for no justifiable reason, the “riot control agents”–often referred to as tear gas–that the police are using on protesters, have been banned from international warfare by the Geneva Protocol since 1925. So why on earth do we still allow tear gas to be used on citizens by the very…
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If you and your spouse are considering divorce, you may have questions about how your living situation will influence the divorce timeline. COVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of our lives. In fact, for many spouses contemplating divorce, moving to a new home is simply not a possibility right now. You may have wondered, “Can I get divorced if my spouse and I are still living together?” Illinois divorce requirements have changed significantly over the past several years, so it is important to understand these requirements if you plan on ending your marriage. Mandatory Separation Period for Illinois Divorces…
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If you are planning to divorce, you may have questions about how you can protect your rights and reach a divorce settlement that is reasonable and fair. You may want the legal protection and support that comes with hiring a lawyer but are worried that bringing lawyers into the equation could make your divorce more adversarial. Whether your worries are accurate or not, there is an option in Illinois that allows divorcing couples to work with attorneys under a non-adversarial process. Collaborative divorce, or a divorce resolved by means of collaborative law, is an alternative resolution method that has…
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The COVID-19 crisis has placed many businesses and their employees in difficult financial situations. Some businesses have had to close or limit their hours of operation, and many employees have been laid off or had their work hours reduced. While some government relief programs have provided aid to those who have been affected by these issues, many people are continuing to experience financial difficulties. A recent executive order may provide some help in this area by allowing employers to defer some of the taxes withheld from employees’ pay. Social Security Tax Deferral In August of 2020, President Trump issued an…
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When you get a divorce in Illinois, you can expect the court to ensure a fair distribution of marital property. However, you may have additional concerns about your ability to support yourself financially after your divorce, in which case you should explore the possible option of spousal maintenance, also known as spousal support or alimony. Spousal maintenance is not a required part of every Illinois divorce resolution, but it may be awarded in cases of need. Am I Entitled to Spousal Support in Illinois? If you and your spouse are willing to cooperate throughout the divorce process, you…
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One of the most crucial parts of any personal injury lawsuit is proving negligence. In a medical malpractice suit, for example, a patient may only collect damages if the healthcare professional in question was negligent in his or her treatment of the patient. Similarly, a property owner or business owner who invites guests onto his property displays negligence if the building or grounds have obvious dangers that cause a guest or patron to suffer an injury.When negligence causes an innocent party to experience damages like lost wages at work, expensive medical bills, or ongoing medical expenses, it is only fair…
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The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 is a United States labor law that gives workers the right to a minimum wage, as well as overtime pay when employees work more than 40 hours a week. It also prohibits employment of minors in “oppressive child labor.” When a company violates any of the FLSA regulations, employees can file a lawsuit against their employer. These violations can include wage and hour violations, such as unpaid overtime and wages that fall below minimum wage. Even when business owners unintentionally violate the terms of FLSA, it is important they understand how…
Illinoisans have not yet received official guidance from the State of Illinois on Halloween activities and events. However, yesterday the CDC posted guidance about Halloween activities and other fall holidays on its website that may be of interest to readers. The CDC has assigned various levels of risk to Halloween-related activities. For those wondering how traditional trick-or-treating will be categorized (or its close cousin, “trunk-or-treat”), the CDC has assigned these activities to its “high risk” category. Hayrides, indoor costume parties, and indoor haunted houses are similarly assigned to the high risk category of activities. The CDC notes that traditional costume…
Here’s a great case from behind the cheddar curtain. You know, the state where the Department of Revenue makes no bones about its right to serve law: Can an underage person possess and consume alcohol beverages on licensed premises? Yes. Persons under age 21 may possess and consume alcohol beverages if they are with their parents, guardians or spouses of legal drinking age; but this is at the discretion of the licensee. The licensed premises may choose to prohibit consumption and possession of alcohol beverages by underage persons. (Sec. 125.07(1), Wis. Stats.) A Wisconsin appellate panel helped the…