Synopsis: Shocking IL WC Claims Where Our IL Courts Don’t Treat Them as WC Claims!!Editor’s Comment: As we reported last October 2025, in Rivas V. Benny’s Prime Chophouse LLC, Claimant was at work, ate food from his employer and sadly passed away at work. Turns out he was very allergic to sea food. You may note his widow probably didn’t get a dime in IL WC death benefits because to accept such benefits would change the course of the litigation that almost certainly was driven by the widow’s counsel into the common law courts.Please also note Decedent passed in 2010. While…
Continue Reading March 2026; Happy St. Patrick's Day to All; Some IL WC Claims Are Now Being Treated as Common Law or even Criminal Law Claims; Tim O'Gorman on a Interesting Fall-Down Claim and more

Most lawsuits begin with the personal service by a Sheriff or by private process server handing to each defendant (the party being sued) or a member of the defendant’s household a summons (notice to appear in court) and a complaint (document alleging wrongful conduct and seeking recovery), requiring appropriate action by the defendant or risking entry of a default judgment (judgment entered without a trial).
Some dos and don’ts to remember when served with a lawsuit include:

  • Don’t panic. Your lawyer, accountant, and insurance carrier have been through this and are there to help.
  • Do read. Be sure you are

…
Continue Reading What to Do When Served with a Suit

Rincker Law, PLLC is proud to share that founder Cari Rincker has been featured in a Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce Member Spotlight, recognizing her commitment to the Shelbyville community and her leadership in agricultural, family, and business law.
For residents of Shelbyville and surrounding Central Illinois communities, Rincker Law, PLLC has become a trusted legal resource for individuals, farm families, and business owners navigating complex legal issues that impact their livelihoods and legacies.
Cari Rincker’s story is one of hard work, community values, and a deep connection to agriculture; a combination that continues to shape the mission and direction of…
Continue Reading Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce Member Spotlight: Cari Rincker of Rincker Law, PLLC

Many employers hesitate to discipline or terminate for misconduct if the employee has recently engaged in protected activity, such as requesting FMLA, seeking an accommodation, or filing a complaint. Suspicious timing can easily lead to a retaliation claim, so the concern is understandable. But hesitation has costs too for an organization—no accountability for the misconduct, past practice is now undermined, and the employee is emboldened to commit more policy violations.
Continue Reading Seventh Circuit: Termination Following Same-Day FMLA Request Was Not
Retaliation

A zombie business is what happens when a business loses its owner or a key owner without any plan in place for what comes next. The owner is gone, but the business staggers forward without direction, without legal authority, and without any structure to resolve the chaos.
It can happen when a founder dies, becomes incapacitated, or simply wants to retire. It can happen when a co-founder relationship falls apart with no exit plan. But death is the clearest example, and it is where the consequences hit hardest.
The post Zombie Businesses: Avoiding the IP and Succession Nightmare appeared first…
Continue Reading Zombie Businesses: Avoiding the IP and Succession Nightmare

Why Title Issues Can Delay a Home Sale
When most homeowners decide to sell their property, they focus on price, buyers, and closing dates. What many sellers don’t realize is that every real estate transaction also requires a title search to confirm that the seller can legally transfer ownership of the property.
Most of the time, the title search comes back clean and the transaction proceeds without any problems. But occasionally, the search reveals issues that must be resolved before closing can occur.
These are known as title issues, and while they are usually fixable, they can delay a…
Continue Reading Why Title Issues Can Delay a Home Sale (And How They Are Usually Resolved)

A major investigation into the Diocese of Providence revealed that dozens of priests allegedly abused hundreds of children over several decades, with some allegations dating back to the 1950s. Investigators reviewed hundreds of thousands of church records and identified widespread patterns of abuse and institutional failures to protect children.
For survivors, these findings highlight the importance of civil lawsuits that allow victims to pursue compensation and hold institutions accountable through Catholic Church sexual abuse lawsuits and child sexual abuse civil claims.
Since 1990, Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC has recovered millions of dollars for our clients all across the country…
Continue Reading What Did the Diocese of Providence Sexual Abuse Report Reveal?

Una investigación importante sobre la Diócesis de Providence reveló que decenas de sacerdotes presuntamente abusaron de cientos de niños durante varias décadas, con algunas denuncias que se remontan a la década de 1950. Los investigadores revisaron cientos de miles de registros de la iglesia e identificaron patrones generalizados de abuso y fallas institucionales para proteger a los niños.
Para los sobrevivientes, estos hallazgos destacan la importancia de las demandas civiles que permiten a las víctimas buscar compensación y exigir responsabilidad a las instituciones mediante demandas por abuso sexual en la Iglesia Católica y reclamaciones civiles por abuso sexual infantil.
Continue Reading ¿Qué reveló el informe sobre abuso sexual en la Diócesis de Providence?

Thanks to Kerry Heaps for interviewing me on her 3/5/26 podcast Chromatic Counsel. It’s 30 minutes long and on YouTube here.

We discussed labor and employment law and HR, including what leaders and employers often misunderstand about workplace behavior. We also discussed:

  • preventive HR strategies that reduce risk before disputes happen;
  • leadership mistakes that quietly create legal exposure;
  • the role of body language and nonverbal cues in negotiations and investigations; 
  • public relations and the law; and
  • clothing and colors.

The post See My 3/5/26 Video Podcast Interview With Kerry Heaps on Chromatic Counsel appeared first on Charles A. Krugel
Continue Reading See My 3/5/26 Video Podcast Interview With Kerry Heaps on Chromatic Counsel


The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Cook County Circuit Court Associate Judge Joseph D. Panarese to serve as a Commissioner on the Commission on Professionalism.
“I am happy to welcome Judge Panarese to serve as a Commissioner with the Commission on Professionalism,” said John Kim, Chair of the Commission on Professionalism. “His judicial career and experience as an attorney in the public and private sectors will provide valuable insight as the Commission works to advance legal excellence in lawyers and judges across the state.”
Photo credit: Judge Joseph…
Continue Reading Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Cook County Circuit Court Judge Joseph D. Panarese to Commission on Professionalism

Partner Cailee J. Alderman will speak on a panel at DePaul University College of Law addressing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) and adoption.
The event will take place on Wednesday, March 19 at 12 pm and is presented in collaboration with the Center for Public Interest Law, the Society for Asylum & Immigration Law, and the International Law Society.
During the program, Cailee will join fellow panelists who practice in family and immigration law to discuss SIJS and adoption issues and share their perspectives with members of the DePaul law school community. Cailee will be joined by family law attorney…
Continue Reading Cailee J. Alderman to Share Insights on Adoption Law and SIJS at DePaul College of Law Panel

Rural communities depend on trusted advisors who understand both the law and the realities of agricultural life. For many farm families, legal decisions are deeply connected to generational planning, land ownership, and family relationships.
At Rincker Law, PLLC, attorney Cari Rincker works at the intersection of food, farm, and family law, helping agricultural families navigate complex legal issues while protecting the long-term viability of their farms.
This article is adapted from a profile originally published in the Illinois State Bar Association Agricultural Law Newsletter (February 2026).
A Legal Career Rooted in Agriculture
Cari Rincker’s path to becoming an agricultural attorney…
Continue Reading Meet Cari Rincker: Food, Farm, and Family Law Attorney Serving Agricultural Communities

Feit Elec. Co., Inc. v. CFL Techs., LLC, Slip Op., No. 13 C 9339, (N.D. Ill. Kendall, C.J. & McShain, Mag. J.) (Oct. 22, 2025).Chief Judge Kendall affirmed Magistrate Judge McShain’s order denying declaratory judgment defendant and patentholder CFL Technologies’ (CFL) motion to compel and for spoliation sanctions. The decision is a cautionary tale on timeliness and strategy in complex patent litigation, particularly in increasingly common long-stayed, complex patent cases.CFL sought broad discovery concerning “all non-dimmable Feit CFLs,” vendor identities, and confidential materials under Local Patent Rule 1.4’s default protective order, reviving disputes first raised in 2018 but not…
Continue Reading Chief Judge Reemphasizes Timeliness & Deference in Affirming Magistrate’s Motion to Compel Denial

Life changes, and sometimes a child support order that made sense when it was entered no longer reflects your current situation. Under 750 ILCS 5/510, an existing child support order can be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. The same is true if the current order is inconsistent with what the legal guidelines would require by a specific amount. If you think your order needs to change, our Will County, IL child support lawyers can review your situation and help you understand your options.
What Qualifies as a Substantial Change in Circumstances for Child Support?
A…
Continue Reading When Can Child Support Be Modified in Illinois?

Facing foreclosure is one of the most stressful things a homeowner can go through. The fear of losing your home, the pressure of dealing with a lender, and the uncertainty about what comes next can feel like too much to handle at once. A short sale is one option that may help you avoid foreclosure and move forward with more control over the outcome.
If you’re exploring your options, our Waukegan, IL foreclosure defense lawyers can help you figure out whether a short sale makes sense for your situation.
What Is a Short Sale and How Does It Work?
A…
Continue Reading Can a Short Sale Stop a Foreclosure Case in Illinois?

For families with significant assets, estate planning is rarely just about taxes. It is about people, too. And when a child is estranged, the planning process becomes much more complicated. Whether you own a business, farmland, or have spent decades building retirement savings, estrangement is not only an emotional reality but a legal risk that your estate plan needs to account for.
If you are reviewing or creating your estate plan in 2026 and you have a difficult family situation, our Yorkville, IL high asset estate planning attorney can help you manage those risks now so you can protect your…
Continue Reading When Children Are Estranged: Disinheritance and the Hidden Litigation Risks in Estate Planning