The Illinois system organizes the varies felony offenses into the following classifications: Class Offense Sentencing Range Extended Term (if eligible) Class M 20-60 years 60-100 years Class X 6-30 years 30-60 years Class 1 4-15 years 15-30 years Class 2 3-7 years 7-14 years Class 3 2-5 years 5-10 years Class 4 1-3 years 3-6 […] The post The Illinois Felony Classification System first appeared on IllinoisCaseLaw.com.…
In order for a mechanics lien claim to be valid, the claimant must be defined as contractor or subcontractor as described in the Mechanics Lien Act. In this article, we’ll discuss the various methods for evaluating the validity of a mechanics lien in Illinois. We cover topics such as the proper prerequisites to a mechanics lien, the difference between contractors and subcontractors and the work must have been done to satisfy a lien, information necessary in a mechanics lien, and deadline associated with filing a claim.…
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For many people, their dog, cat, or other pet is a beloved member of the family. However, the law treats pets as property. During divorce, spouses may vehemently disagree about who will take ownership of the pet. In years past, pets were treated just like any other asset during a contentious divorce. However, modifications to Illinois laws regarding property division took effect in 2018, and they changed the way pets are dealt with during divorce. If you are considering divorce, and you are worried that you and your spouse will disagree about ownership of your pet, read on to…
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There are many reasons you might need to return to court after completing your divorce. For example, you might need to ask for a modification of your divorce decree because your or your former spouse’s circumstances have changed. However, you may also face situations in which your ex-spouse has not complied with the legally binding terms in your divorce decree.  Sometimes, you and your former spouse might be able to meet with each other to address these issues without getting the courts involved, but in other situations, you might need to take legal action to enforce your divorce decree.…
A recent report on the Chicago Police Department added new meaning to the word “trolling.” For many, the term refers to online provocateurs who specialize in name-calling and making incendiary remarks. But trolling by CPD officers is another matter entirely. Police trolling refers to a Chicago police officer who makes a traffic stop or an arrest for disorderly conduct at the end of their work shift, precisely so that the officer has a reason for overtime (and increased pay). According to Chicago’s Inspector General, these trolling arrests escalate “a situation which could have been within the officer’s discretion to dismiss.”…
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce the launch of a free online CLE on lawyer well-being. The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to Well-Being introduces attorneys to well-being as a holistic approach and addresses confusion around what the term really means. “Many people hear ‘well-being’ and assume they’re going to be lectured on eating better and exercising, but it’s much more than that,” said Dan Davies, Education Manager at the Commission on Professionalism. “The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to Well-Being encourages attorneys to think of well-being holistically, giving them tools to balance all aspects of their lives. This,…
Yesterday we reported on three bills that propose to amend FOIA. Today, we report on 2 other bills that affect local government meetings. HB 5013: A bill was recently introduced that would amend the Illinois Municipal Code to provide that municipalities cannot prohibit persons from addressing individual city council members, municipal officials, or municipal staff members at public meetings. The legislation would allow municipalities to impose regulations on when persons can speak at a meeting. As you know, the Open Meetings Act already requires public bodies (including municipalities) to provide an opportunity for persons to address public officials at…
Commercial hemp producers got a win yesterday as the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a delay in the enforcement of some requirements from its interim final rule on the Domestic Hemp Production Program until October 31, 2021. The recent interim final rule on hemp production can be found here. The delay is a win for the hemp industry as it was premised largely on statements, arguments, and information that hemp producers made to the USDA during the comment period on the recent interim final rule. Hemp producers around the country had argued that many of the USDA’s requirements in…
The Getting Split Ready podcast, hosted by Marya Carey Pleasant and Doug Katz, recently featured Bryan Wilson to share insights on divorce processes and outcomes. The podcast provides listeners with an unscripted, informative and honest discussion with top professionals covering topics about divorce, separation and starting over. Bryan offered his perspectives on a range of divorce-related issues in the following segments: Marriage Story as a Justification for Collaborative Divorce Divorce and Hollywood When Litigation is the Best Solution Divorce vs Separation – Legal and Practical  Bryan Wilson concentrates his practice in the area of family law with extensive experience involving…
We are often asked by prospective clients whether they can have an Illinois workers’ comp claim and personal injury claim at the same time, or whether the filing of one type of claim precludes the filing of another. Some of the confusion is due to the common perception that when someone is injured in an accident the proper course of action is to file a personal injury case. However, if the accident occurs while you are at work, your first course of action may be to file an Illinois workers’ comp claim. Under Illinois law, the filing of a workers’…
Synopsis: Illinois WC Rates Jump Again—even with the Chicago Tribune reporting that the most recent migration number puts Illinois 49th out of the nation’s 50 states on net migration loss, there was a jump in the Statewide AWW to $1,161.80 and Your existing PPD Reserves May Need To Be UPDATED RETROACTIVELY(!).   To any of our readers and/or fans, Send a Reply to Marissa at mpatel@keefe-law.com to Get a Free Copy of Shawn R. Biery’s Updated IL WC Rate-Sheet!   Editor’s comment: There continues to be an upward trend of IL WC rates—even the ever steady statutory minimum rates are…
Courts in California are preparing for hundreds—perhaps thousands—of sexual abuse civil lawsuits to be filed in the coming months against churches, schools and other institutions. A new California state law extends the maximum age limit for survivors of child sexual abuse to file lawsuits against their former attackers. Under AB 218, which went into effect Jan. 1, sexual abuse survivors now have until age 40 to file for damages, or until five years after a survivor discovers the source of their psychological injury to be connected to an instance of child sexual abuse. The new law provides a three-year…
It’s been a while since the infamous Palm II case came down and caused chaos in the Illinois association world. Because it’s been a couple of years, and as we have encountered situations where board members seem to have become lax on following corporate formalities or careful about meeting with other board members outside of formal board meetings, it appears that a quick refresher on the law is in order. Condominium and homeowner associations are not-for-profit corporations that are required to act through their duly elected board via the formalities provided by Illinois law and the Association’s governing documents (Declaration, By-Laws…
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Bayer has had its hands full with legal issues stemming from its weed killer products. The company faces billions of dollars in liability due to tens of thousands of lawsuits brought against for Roundup side effects and complications. These are personal injury claims in which the plaintiffs allege that they contracted cancer due to their exposure to Roundup. Now, another of Bayer’s products has been found by a jury to be responsible for a different kind of harm. Specifically, a jury in Missouri has awarded a farmer $265 million based on claims that a weed killer made by Bayer and…
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Last month, in a rare event, a coyote attacked a six-year-old boy in Lincoln Park. This is the first reported coyote attack in the Chicago area for at least a decade. Shortly thereafter, a 32-year-old man reported a similar animal attack that some believe may have also been an attack by a coyote. With coyote mating season beginning in February, there is an increased likelihood of coyotes making appearances across the greater Chicagoland area. These interactions between coyotes, people, and their pets can quickly become dangerous due to a more urgent need for food during the season. Staying Safe Around…
Face it — you are terrified of lawyers, or at least their bills. If you went through a divorce, you probably paid a large amount of money up front (a retainer), then received a monthly bill. Since your case went on for quite some time, the cost impacted your monthly budget for months (or even years). Perhaps you had a traffic ticket and had to pay a lawyer to handle it for you. Likely, the lawyer asked for the entire fee (a flat fee) up front. While you didn’t like having to fork over the money, you knew from the…