A federal district court in Illinois recently held that a City’s application of its parking requirements to a church placed a substantial burden on religious exercise under the
Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) where the City
applied their requirements on a case-by-case basis. Immanuel Baptist
Church v. City of Chicago.
Since 2011, a church, located in a planned
development within the City, operated with an occupancy of 146 people. The City Code required that buildings used for religious assembly have
one off-street parking spot for every eight seats of occupancy, which meant the
church was required to
Continue Reading In the Zone: City’s Application of Parking Requirements to a Church Violated RLUIPA
Cook County Assessor Kaegi downplays downtown commercial property’s financial issues
2024 is a triennial reassessment year for all properties located in Chicago. As a result of this reassessment, all properties located in Chicago will be revalued and reassessed in 2024. Already, the 2024 assessments for properties located in Rogers Park Township have issued and the assessments for West Chicago Township will issue in late May […]
Continue Reading Cook County Assessor Kaegi downplays downtown commercial property’s financial issues
Seizures After Traumatic Brain Injury
When someone hurts their head really badly, sometimes they can have seizures afterward. Seizures are like sudden bursts of electricity in the brain that make the body do strange things. This can happen after a traumatic brain injury, which is when the brain gets hurt. In fact, about one in every three people who are hospitalized because of a traumatic brain injury will have seizures afterward. Let’s understand more about seizures that happen after someone has had a traumatic brain injury.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Causes of TBI
Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, happens when someone gets a really
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Your Property and Your Tenants' Emotional Support Animal – Part 1
Emotional support animals are a relatively new phenomenon. ESAs are not service animals and do not have the same set of rights. In general, if your tenant has a qualified emotional support animal, you must allow the animal to live with the tenant. However, you can request documentation proving that your tenant has a legitimate need for the animal as verified by his or her mental health provider. You are also only required to make reasonable accommodations to allow the ESA to live on your property, meaning that if the animal is causing significant problems, you may be able to
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How to Respond to Sex Crime Accusations
The state of Illinois takes sex crimes accusations very seriously. The charges and sentences you might face could affect you for the rest of your life. Even if you are innocent and have been falsely accused, there are some steps you should take as soon as you know that an accusation has been made against you. Following these steps after an accusation can have a significant impact on the outcomes and can make a huge difference to your future. If you are accused of criminal sexual assault, speak with a dedicated Cook County, IL sex crimes defense attorney who
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What to Do After a Commercial Driver License Violation
Receiving a violation while operating a commercial vehicle in Illinois can have serious consequences for your career as a professional driver. Commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) are governed by stricter rules and regulations than regular driver’s licenses, and violations can result in fines, license suspensions, or even revocation. You must take the proper steps to protect your livelihood and driving privileges. An Illinois lawyer can guide you through the recommended actions after a CDL violation.
Request a Hearing
The first step is to understand the nature of the violation you have committed and its potential repercussions. CDL violations can range from
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Can Marital Misconduct Affect My Divorce in Illinois?
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, which means that spouses who want to get divorced do not need to show that someone is to blame for the divorce. A court only needs to know that there are “irreconcilable differences” such that the marriage cannot survive.
Unlike some other states, Illinois divorce law does not generally care whether a spouse engaged in marital misconduct. Courts are not allowed to take such misbehavior into account when:
- Deciding how assets should be divided
- Making decisions about family maintenance, including spousal support and child support
There are certain cases, however, in which marital
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3 Ways to Defend a Drug Charge in Illinois
Drug possession charges carry a lot of stigma. People may assume that you are a drug addict and that all of the negative stereotypes about people with substance abuse problems apply to you. You may find that potential employers, landlords, and even friends or family members are hesitant to trust you. While you may have been made to feel like there is no way to fight back against your drug possession charges, you may have a legal defense available. People who did not intentionally choose to have illegal substances in their possession are sometimes charged with this crime erroneously. An
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Peoria, IL – Two Injured in Two-Car Crash on Murray Baker Bridge
Peoria, IL (May 7, 2024) – On Tuesday afternoon, the Peoria Fire Department and troopers with the Illinois State Police said a two-vehicle crash was blocking an eastbound lane of traffic on the Murray Baker Bridge.
When personnel arrived at the site of the crash, they discovered at least two injured victims requiring transport to a local hospital. At approximately 5:40 p.m., authorities were called to the scene to assist, but no further details or updates on the victims were released. Meanwhile, the Peoria PD, together with the ISP, is investigating the collision, though no further details are available in
Continue Reading Peoria, IL – Two Injured in Two-Car Crash on Murray Baker Bridge
Can You Get Disability for Spinal Stenosis?
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition that affects millions worldwide. Approximately 11% of adults in the U.S. suffer from this condition. When a person’s spinal stenosis begins to interfere with their ability to work and make a living, it may be time to consider applying for Social Security disability benefits.
However, this is not always a simple process and there are several road blocks you or your loved one may face when applying for disability for spinal stenosis. Keep reading to learn what the Social Security Administration (SSA) looks for when granting SSD benefits for spinal stenosis.
In This Article:
Continue Reading Can You Get Disability for Spinal Stenosis?
Chicago, IL – One Dead, One Hurt in US Rte 40 Accident at 450th St
Chicago, IL (May 7, 2024) – New information on a three-car collision on U.S. Route 40 on Monday has been released by the Illinois State Police and the Effingham County Coroner, confirming that one person is deceased and another is seriously injured.
Following an inquiry, it was discovered that a vehicle was heading east on U.S. 40 while a pickup truck was traveling south on North 450th Street when the two collided. A 34-year-old Altamont man was critically injured and transported to a hospital for medical attention. One of the drivers was also rushed to a hospital but later passed
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What to expect when facing firearms and ammunition charges
Illinois law enforcement and prosecutors take weapons laws seriously and those who are charged with firearms or ammunition violations could face severe penalties if they are convicted. State law regarding possession of firearms or firearm ammunition dictates who can possess these items, how old they must be and what consequences they can face for a violation.
It is essential for people confronted by these allegations to understand the law and how to craft a comprehensive defense designed to avoid a conviction or reduce the charges. In some cases, there can even be an acquittal.
Know the facts about firearm violations
Continue Reading What to expect when facing firearms and ammunition charges
Seventh Circuit Confirms that Probable Cause Inquiry is Centered on Information Available to Police at the Time of Arrest
A valid arrest requires probable cause. In Madero v. McGuiness, No. 23-2574, the Seventh Circuit affirmed that the inquiry as to whether there is probable cause for an arrest is based on the information reasonably available to the police at the time of the subject arrest. In Madero, the plaintiff brought a Section 1983 action against a police officer alleging a false arrest violating the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. The arrest stemmed from an alleged altercation following a hit-and-run. Upon arrival at the scene, the defendant officer was provided with information from three witnesses that the plaintiff had been
Continue Reading Seventh Circuit Confirms that Probable Cause Inquiry is Centered on Information Available to Police at the Time of Arrest
Article: Regulation of Electronic Wills in Kenya: A Case for Reform?
Mitchelle Musyoka (Independent) recently published, Regulation of Electronic Wills in Kenya: A Case for Reform?, 2024. Provided below is an Abstract: We live in what has been termed ‘a quicksilver technological environment’. Regardless of perceived ethical or enforcement limitations, laws…
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Civil liberties advocates warn against police abuse of facial recognition technology
Cameras are everywhere today: traffic and security cameras, news crews and other professional productions, and nearly everyone around us has a video camera on their phone. Most of us have become accustomed to this idea, but it can have profound implications for us if we are ever accused of a crime.
Police often dig through whatever video footage they can find, looking for evidence that might link a suspect to a crime. They can look through all sorts of material that is publicly available and may be able to get warrants for material that is not.
Of course, it isn’t
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Can Taking Excessive Compensation Violate a Managing Member or Majority Shareholder’s Fiduciary Duties?
Yes, taking excessive compensation can indeed violate a managing member or majority shareholder’s fiduciary duties. Case law supports this assertion. In Fleming v. Louvers International, Inc., the court found that a majority shareholder violated his fiduciary duties by taking excessive compensation, depriving a minority shareholder of his rightful distributions. This conduct was seen as a breach of both his common-law fiduciary duty and his duty under section 12.56(a)(3) of the Act, and also constituted constructive fraud.
The case of Kovac v. Barron highlighted the defendant shareholder who had the corporations pay him and his wife millions in excessive compensation, which
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