September 2024

Antioch, IL (September 5, 2024) – A motorcycle passenger has died days after a crash near Antioch, Illinois, according to a release from the Lake County Coroner’s Office on Wednesday, September 4.

The crash happened in the area of Route 59 and Diemer Street, per authorities. Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene and found a 1998 Harley-Davidson and a woman, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, unconscious and unresponsive in the roadway. The Coroner’s Office identified her as Mechell Hall, 48, of Lindenhurst, Illinois. 

She was taken to an area hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. The office said on
Continue Reading Antioch, IL – Mechell Hall Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Rte 59 at Diemer St

The Public Access Counselor of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office issued its 10th binding opinion of 2024 in PAC Op. 24-010, finding a Village Board in violation of the Open Meetings Act for failing to make its meetings open and convenient to the public.Multiple requests for review were filed against a Village relating to meetings held in June and July of 2024. Specific complaints included allegations that there was insufficient space in the meeting room for members of the public who wanted to attend and many were turned away from each of these meetings because of limited seating capacity,,
Continue Reading PAC Finds Village Board Meetings Were Not Open or Convenient Under OMA

When involved in a car accident, the deployment of airbags is often a sign of significant impact. Airbags are critical safety features designed to protect passengers, but once deployed, they raise questions about the car’s roadworthiness. One common concern among drivers is whether it is legal to continue driving a vehicle after the airbags have been deployed. The legal and safety implications are crucial for ensuring compliance with the law and protecting everyone on the road. Explores the legality and risks associated with driving after airbag deployment.
What Is An Airbag?
An airbag is a safety device designed to protect
Continue Reading Is It Legal to Drive a Car After Airbags Deploy?

Contracts are important legal tools local governments use to provide
critical services to residents and pursue important projects. When local
governments contract with third parties to perform work, and there is a
resulting hazard, injury, or other misstep, the risk of liability depends on
several critical factors. Tune in to hear attorneys Erin Monforti, Derke Price,
and Maulik Sharma discuss key issues surrounding contracts, liability, and tort
immunity in Illinois. Share your thoughts and questions with podcast@ancelglink.com

Resources

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Illinois Supreme Court Resources: Restatement (2d) of Torts Section 414

https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Resources/286ab8ed-592c-477e-8364-febf7d1a9e4c/55.00.pdf

Andrews v. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater
Continue Reading 86: Contracts, Liability & Tort Immunity

Will County, IL divorce lawyerAlmost from the beginning, divorce laws have varied immensely by region, with the first American divorce granted in 1639 in Massachusetts. While the law has evolved to the point that the goal is to treat both spouses the same during a divorce, some antiquated divorce laws remain on the books.
By the beginning of the 19th century, divorce, while still rare, was becoming more frequent. The advent of “no-fault” divorce in the 1970s and 1980s resulted in another significant increase in divorce, as spouses were no longer required to prove fault. More recently, divorce rates plateaued and then decreased over
Continue Reading What Are the Strangest Divorce Laws Across the United States?

IL defense lawyerSelf-defense is one of the most well-known pleas against violent criminal charges. People who have been charged with violent crimes such as assault or murder have been acquitted because they were able to show the court that they were trying to protect themselves or someone else.
Laws concerning self-defense are nuanced and can sometimes be complex. Some states have stand-your-ground laws, which allow individuals who are threatened with physical violence to defend themselves with deadly force in certain cases. Other states have duty-to-retreat laws, which require a person who is violently threatened to exhaust all other options before responding with
Continue Reading When Can I Claim Self-Defense in Illinois?

Wheaton, IL asset division lawyerDivorce is one little word that contains so many aspects. When a couple is going through a divorce they need to understand what will happen with their children, their home, and their assets after the marriage is legally over. In Illinois, which follows an equitable distribution model, it is important to understand the value of everything included in the marital estate to ensure a fair division. This article will explore the topic of property valuation in Illinois divorce. To learn more, speak with a knowledgeable Wheaton, IL divorce lawyer.
Equitable Distribution in Illinois Divorce
When it comes to property
Continue Reading Property Valuation in an Illinois Divorce

Kane County, IL family lawyerIt has become somewhat common practice to sign a prenuptial agreement. Not everyone signs one, but almost everyone has heard of one. However, even though a prenup can have a serious impact on your financial future, some people sign it without truly wanting to. Maybe their future in-laws gave them an ultimatum to pressure them into signing it. Perhaps they lacked the knowledge to fully understand that they were signing a document their spouse’s family lawyer drew up that unfairly represented the spouse’s interests. 
If you signed a prenup that you did not want to, it might not have
Continue Reading Proving You Were Forced Into Signing a Prenup in Illinois

Will County, IL workers' compensation lawyerIn recent years, the number of people working from home has skyrocketed. Although the rate of growth has slowed, remote work is still the way many people earn a living in the U.S. This transition has prompted cybersecurity concerns, a dynamic shift in how companies do business, and introduced popular hybrid work models.
While organizations and workers alike benefit from remote work, the question of whether workers’ compensation covers you when you work from home arises. The answer: it depends. The knowledgeable lawyers from McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC explain.
Who Is Covered by Workers’ Comp?
In Illinois, laws require employers
Continue Reading Does Illinois Workers’ Comp Cover Me If I Work From Home?

Naperville, IL divorce lawyerWhile pets have long been considered “property” to be divided during a divorce under the rules of equitable distribution, as of January 2018, the state of Illinois allows judges to consider the well-being of the pet. Pets and their owners often have deep emotional bonds, and breaking those bonds can be harmful to the owner and the pet. Unfortunately, some spouses use pets as a bargaining chip to get what they want from the divorce.
In particular, if the pet or pets largely belong to one spouse, the other may threaten to keep the pet if he or she
Continue Reading Can I Be Awarded Custody of My Pet During My IL Divorce?

Chicago, IL birth injury lawyerWhen you are pregnant, health concerns change because, in addition to taking care of your own health, you are already starting to take care of your baby. Pregnant women often change their diet, exercise, lifestyle, and other habits to encourage safe and healthy development for their babies. During the nine months of pregnancy, there are regular checkups and scans intended to monitor the baby’s growth and warn of any developing issues.
However, pregnant women are just as prone as anyone else to contract infections. If they are not treated promptly, some maternal infections can pose a serious fetal harm.
Continue Reading Can Untreated Maternal Infection Hurt a Fetus? | IL

Bloomington, IL (September 4, 2024) – One person was left dead, and another person was injured after a fatal three-vehicle accident in Troy that took place early Wednesday morning, September 4.
The Madison County Coroner’s Office says a 65-year-old woman from Troy was pronounced dead at the site. The crash happened just after 4:00 a.m. Wednesday on Interstate 55 at the northbound I-55 and eastbound I-70 split. Though the woman was dead at the scene, another person was transported with injuries to a nearby hospital.
Northbound I-55 was closed for an extended period at I-70. All northbound traffic was being
Continue Reading Bloomington, IL – Woman Killed, One Injured in Accident on I-55 at I-70

On July 24, 2024, Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc. issued a recall for its deli meat products due to possible contamination by a dangerous bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is the third leading cause of death by food poisoning in the U.S., claiming approximately 260 lives each year. Since the Boar’s Head recall was issued, a total of 9 people have died, likely more when considering those that go unreported.
The contaminated products were distributed from a Boar’s Head plant in Jarratt, Virginia where the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) found disastrous conditions and shocking health violations. Keep reading to
Continue Reading Boar’s Head Recall 2024 | Safety Tips & When to Call a Lawyer