December 2025

12/22/2025 (Chicago, IL) – Plantimex Distributors, Inc. of San Diego, CA, has recalled around 50,330 containers of their Mamisan Pain Relieving Topical Ointment due to a risk of child poisoning. 

The recalled product contains lidocaine, which can cause serious injury or death if swallowed. According to the recall notice, the ointment is sold in packaging that is not child-resistant, making it easy for children to access the contents. This packaging does not comply with requirements under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.

At the time of the announcement, no adverse events or injuries had been reported.

What Lidocaine Ointment Was Recalled?
Continue Reading Lidocaine Ointment Recalled Due to Risk of Child Poisoning

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre libertad condicional y libertad vigilada?Si ha sido acusado de un delito penal, es importante comprender la diferencia entre la libertad vigilada y la libertad conditional. Estos dos términos suelen confundirse, aunque son totalmente diferentes. Uno implica mantenerse fuera de la penitenciaría y el otro se refiere a cómo el tribunal supervisa la conducta del acusado tras ser liberado de prisión.
Libertad vigilada en Chicago, IL
Tras el arresto, la acusación y la posterior condena de una persona por un delito, algunos casos pueden optar a la libertad vigilada, según la naturaleza del delito y los antecedentes penales de la persona. La libertad
Continue Reading ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre libertad condicional y libertad vigilada?

Question:
I am a 64 year old lawyer that owns a small general practice law firm in Springfield, Illinois. There are two associates in the firm and two staff members. I have been thinking about retirement and how I should begin planning for it which I have not done. I love the work that I do for clients and have very few other interests. I get satisfaction and fulfillment from my work. I really want to work for ever. I would appreciate you thoughts.
Response:
You are not along. I have many lawyer clients that are in the 80’s and
Continue Reading Law Firm Succession Planning – Retire or Continue Working?

A little more than 14 years ago, I created Municipal Minute because I love to write and I thought it would be a helpful resource for local government officials and employees on all things local gov – it wasn’t because I am a self-described local government nerd, really. As many of you know, I am retiring at the end of 2025 but I’m not yet ready to give up Municipal Minute, so I will continue authoring the blog through 2026. So, my plan is to be mostly-retired (as opposed to semi-retired) since I am also staying on at
Continue Reading It’s Not Goodbye Yet…

Illinois food poisoning attorneyWhen you hear the term “food poisoning,” you might think of salmonella or E. coli, which infect millions of people per year. However, not many people are familiar with botulism, which can come with life-threatening symptoms. If you fear that you have been exposed to this sickness, an Illinois food poisoning attorney can help you take legal action.
At Newland & Newland, LLP, we investigate all kinds of food poisoning cases, from small luncheons to nationwide outbreaks. We will help you understand this illness and inform you of your options to seek payment for your damages.
How Common Is
Continue Reading How Dangerous Is Botulism?

In the Spring of 2025, the Illinois Department of Labor filed a lawsuit against a union contractor alleging violations of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. The Department’s lawsuit alleged that work performed by the contractor on the Projects fell within the prevailing wage classification of Electrician, as opposed to the classification of Carpenter.
On December 18, 2025, the Department determined and agreed that the work the contractor performed on the Projects could properly be classified under the Carpenter classification. As the solar energy industry continues to evolve in Illinois, industry contractors (union and non-union) must become intimately familiar with the
Continue Reading Installation of Solar Panels is NOT Exclusively Electrician Work under the
Illinois Prevailing Wage Act – So Capitulates the Illinois Department of
Labor

Following our earlier summary of the 2025 PAC binding opinions on FOIA, today we focus on the PAC’s 3 binding opinions issued on OMA matters in 2025, which are summarized below.
PAC Op. 25-007 (City Committee was Subsidiary Body Subject to OMA)
In PAC Op. 25-007, the PAC found that a city pool committee (Committee) violated the OMA by holding meetings closed to the public regarding building a new pool in a city, because the Committee was a “subsidiary body” subject to OMA requirements. The PAC determined that the Committee was a subsidiary body because it did not legally
Continue Reading Summary of 2025 Binding PAC Opinions (OMA)

A design patent protects the ornamental appearance of a manufactured item. It provides a 15-year, non-renewable monopoly on that specific look. Trade dress protects elements like a product’s distinctive shape, size, color combination, or packaging layout. Unlike trade dress trademark applications, a design patent application won’t necessarily be rejected just because the look also affects how the product functions, as long as that functionality isn’t essential to how the product works.
The post Trade Dress Trademarks Vs Design Patents, And How Functionality Can Destroy Both appeared first on King Patent Law.
Continue Reading Trade Dress Trademarks Vs Design Patents, And How Functionality Can Destroy Both

Truck accident victims in Illinois may be awarded economic damages, non-economic damages, and in certain cases, punitive damages depending on the facts of the crash, the severity of injuries, and the degree of fault. These damages are designed to compensate victims for financial losses, physical pain, emotional suffering, and, in rare cases, to punish reckless conduct by trucking companies or drivers. Illinois law allows injured victims in Chicago and across the state to pursue full and fair compensation when negligence causes harm.
Understanding Truck Accident Damages Under Illinois Law
Truck accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries because of the size
Continue Reading What Types of Damages Can Be Awarded to Truck Accident Victims in Illinois?

In most Chicago truck accident cases, they do not go to court. The majority are resolved through insurance claims and negotiated settlements before a trial ever begins. However, some truck accident cases in Chicago do proceed to court when fault is disputed, injuries are severe, or insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation. Whether your case goes to court depends on the facts of the crash, the strength of the evidence, and the actions of the trucking company and its insurers.
Understanding how truck accident cases work in Chicago can help you know what to expect and how to protect
Continue Reading Will My Chicago Truck Accident Case Go To Court?

Accident News | Shorewood, IL
A jackknifed semi-truck caused major traffic disruption on Interstate 80 in suburban Shorewood on Sunday morning, forcing the closure of several lanes and creating significant delays for motorists traveling through the area. According to Illinois State Police, the incident took place in the eastbound lanes of I-80 near the Interstate 55 interchange, a heavily traveled corridor connecting the southwest suburbs to the Chicago metropolitan region.
Authorities confirmed that all eastbound lanes were completely blocked following the crash, while one westbound lane was also shut down to allow emergency crews to respond safely. The truck reportedly
Continue Reading Semi-Truck Crash Blocks All Lanes of I-80 Near Shorewood

Blog ImageA new year brings a fresh sense of motivation and perspective. People set goals to exercise more, save money, and finally tackle projects they have been avoiding – like getting their estate plan in order. If you have been putting off creating an estate plan, 2026 is the year to finally check that box.
Estate planning might sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be, and the benefits are far and away worth the time it takes. With help from our DuPage County estate planning lawyer, you can protect your family and your assets. We explain things in clear,
Continue Reading Your 2026 New Year's Resolution: Making an Estate Plan

IL defense lawyerA DUI conviction in Illinois can affect much more than a court case. It can limit your ability to drive. It can also raise your insurance costs for years. These consequences often begin quickly and continue long after fines are paid or probation ends.
People are often surprised to learn that license penalties can begin before a DUI case is even finished in court. If you are facing DUI charges, contact our Joliet, IL DUI defense lawyers as quickly as possible.
How Does a DUI Conviction Affect Your Driver’s License in Illinois?
A DUI arrest can trigger two separate legal
Continue Reading How DUI Convictions Affect Your Driver’s License and Insurance

Blog ImageFor landlords and real estate investors in Kendall County, evictions are one of the highest-risk legal issues you will face. An eviction is not just about removing a tenant; it is a legal process that can expose you to counterclaims, delays, and personal liability if handled incorrectly.
At Gateville Law Firm our Kendall County real estate lawyer represents landlords in landlord/tenant disputes. We approach evictions as risk-management issues, helping you navigate the process efficiently while protecting your long-term wealth.
What Are the Reasons a Landlord Can Evict in Illinois?
In Kendall County, a landlord must have “cause” to terminate a
Continue Reading The Landlord’s Guide to Kendall County Evictions

What Does Trade Dress Trademark Protection Have That Design Patents Don’t? The long-term protection is the key. Protection can last indefinitely, as long as you continue to use the mark, defend the mark, and submit the maintenance documents and fees to the USPTO. That long life is because the trade dress is a source identifier. It lives on because consumers know the design means a product from you.
Trade Dress protection can be tricky, though, and here are two strict requirements that make it a long-term goal, not a quick fix.
The post The Immortal Product Design Protection: How Trade
Continue Reading The Immortal Product Design Protection: How Trade Dress Trademarks Outlast Design Patents

Illinois recently enacted amendments to the Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act (“IRPWA”).  The amendments became effective on December 12, 2025, immediately upon the governor’s signature.
Continue Reading Amendments to Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act: Immediate
Obligations for Employers Receiving “No-Match” Letters