After the World Trade Center was attacked on September 11, 2001, an enormous cloud of dust containing asbestos, silica, metals, concrete, glass, and other potentially harmful substances covered Lower Manhattan, causing some New Yorkers to develop serious illnesses.
In the weeks that followed, officials repeatedly claimed the air was safe. However, newly released records show asbestos was still being detected in Lower Manhattan 10 months later, including in buildings outside the immediate World Trade Center site.
The World Trade Center Health Program estimates that around 400,000 people were exposed to hazardous conditions in the aftermath of the tragedy, including first
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IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO MAKE AN ESTATE PLAN?
IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO MAKE AN ESTATE PLAN? It isn’t always clear to people when the right time to plan for death is. It is an unpleasant thought to entertain, and most people go their entire lives without Read More….
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Forced Annexation in Illinois: Supreme Court to Decide Whether a Boundary Gap Can Be “De Minimis”
Illinois municipalities have several ways to annex unincorporated property. One of the most consequential is Section 7-1-13 of the Illinois Municipal Code, which permits a municipality, without a landowner’s consent, to annex certain unincorporated territory containing 60 acres or less if the territory is “wholly bounded” by one of several combinations of municipalities and other specified land. In the provision at issue in Husky Trans, Inc. v. Village of Barrington Hills, the qualifying boundaries are one or more municipalities together with a forest preserve district or park district. 65 ILCS 5/7-1-13(a)(e).
The Illinois Supreme Court is now considering a deceptively
IRS Notice 2026-28: New Guidance on Calculating the Paid Family and Medical Leave Credit
The federal employer credit for paid family and medical leave was scheduled to expire after 2025. Congress instead made the credit permanent and substantially changed how employers may calculate it. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, an eligible employer may continue to calculate the credit based on wages paid to employees while they are on qualifying leave, or elect a new method based on premiums paid for qualifying paid-family-and-medical-leave insurance.
Treasury and the IRS addressed the new premium method in Notice 2026-28, 2026-34 I.R.B. 177. The guidance provides employers with rules they may rely upon while Treasury
12 Famous Deaths Caused by Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that doesn’t discriminate based on wealth, job title, or social status.
Mesothelioma is considered a rare disease, with only around 3,000 Americans diagnosed each year. Despite this, it has taken the lives of many well-known public figures, including musicians, politicians, actors, and athletes.
Many celebrities have passed away from mesothelioma, including the beloved actor Steve McQueen, the musician Warren Zevon, the football player Merlin Olson, and more.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, get a free consultation now to see how we may be able to
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A Matter of Time: Johnson v. Amazon.com Services, LLC
Earlier this year, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an important decision for Illinois employers. In Johnson v. Amazon.com Services, LLC, 2026 IL 132016, the Court held that the preliminary and postliminary activities exclusion of the Portal-to-Portal Act (PPA) that is part of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was not incorporated into the Illinois Minimum Wage Law (IMWL).
Legal Background
To understand Johnson, it’s important to understand the history of pertinent federal and state laws related to minimum wage and overtime pay.
In 1938, the FLSA established federal requirements for minimum wage and overtime payments.[1] Nearly 10 years later,
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What Happens if an Eviction Notice Contains a Mistake?
An eviction notice with a mistake can delay your case. It might even cause a judge to dismiss it entirely. This means you’d have to start the entire process over again with a corrected notice. This can feel incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re already dealing with a tenant who isn’t paying rent or is otherwise violating their lease.
If you’ve discovered an error in your eviction notice in 2026, our Naperville, IL landlord eviction lawyers can help you understand your options and get your case back on track.
Why Do Small Mistakes Matter So Much in Eviction Notices?
Illinois law
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I AM NAMED AS TRUSTEE IN A TRUST, WHAT IS MY LIABILITY?
I AM NAMED AS TRUSTEE IN A TRUST, WHAT IS MY LIABILITY? When people create a trust, they appoint a trustee. The trustee is the person or entity with the authority to administer and oversee the assets and funds held Read More….
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Illinois Auto & Homeowners Insurance Reform Laws Take Effect July 2027
Illinois passed Senate Bill 714 as part of a statewide initiative to address rising automobile insurance costs and concerns about unfair and discriminatory ratemaking practices affecting drivers. Illinois had been one of only two states without a formal process for reviewing or challenging insurance rate increases. The legislation expands the State’s authority to challenge automobile insurance premium increases. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into law on August 4, 2026, and the law will take effect on July 1, 2027.
The law imposes several new consumer protections on automobile insurance carriers, including:
- requiring insurers to provide 30 days’ notice before
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Artificial Intelligence is Changing Auto Accident Claims—But Human Judgment Still Rules the Road
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of nearly every stage of an automobile accident claim. Many insurers are using AI-assisted systems to review photographs, prepare repair estimates, detect possible fraud, summarize medical records, and evaluate settlement demands. Lawyers may use similar tools to organize documents, identify issues, and prepare initial drafts for simple matters. So when does AI’s efficiency in evaluating and defending claims stop adding value and human judgment need to take the wheel?
AI’s Growing Role in Claims Handling
Recent news reports show how quickly this technology is evolving in claims handling. Some insurers now allow drivers
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How To Defend Against a Prescription Drug DUI Charge in Illinois
You can defend against a prescription drug DUI charge in Illinois in many ways. For example, you might challenge whether the medication actually impaired your ability to drive or question the accuracy of drug testing. If you’re facing this kind of charge in 2026, our DuPage County criminal defense lawyers can help you understand the evidence against you and build a strong defense.
Can You Get a DUI for Taking Prescribed Medication in Illinois?
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, Illinois law makes it illegal to drive under the influence of any drug to a degree that renders you incapable of
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INTERPLEADER IS FOR WHEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING THE SAME MONEY
INTERPLEADER IS FOR WHEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING THE SAME MONEY What happens if you are holding money that numerous people say is theirs? For example, suppose a contractor and one of their subcontractors have an arrangement with another Read More….
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When Does Government Regulation Become an Unconstitutional Taking? The Seventh Circuit’s Answer After Tyler
The Supreme Court’s decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County arose from a property tax foreclosure. Its influence may extend well beyond delinquent taxes.
In BBLI Edison, LLC v. City of Chicago, No. 25-1713 (7th Cir. July 22, 2026), the Seventh Circuit considered whether Chicago may require the purchaser of a foreclosed apartment building to pay $10,600 to each tenant who declines to enter a new lease. The court upheld the ordinance under existing landlord-tenant precedent. Its opinion nevertheless contains an unusually direct acknowledgment that the Supreme Court has been expanding the circumstances in which government action may implicate the
Police Officer Recovers Over $2,200 Illegally Deducted From His Pay By South Suburban Village.
DeBlasio Law Group LLC reached a successful settlement with a South Suburban Village that illegally deducted over $2,200 from the pay of a former police officer. The Village agreed to make the payment within nine (9) days after our law firm sent a demand letter.
The firm agreed to help the police officer recover his earned pay from the Village for violating the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/1 et seq. (the “Wage Act”), which provides powerful remedies against employers and other persons who knowingly fail to pay wages and final compensation to employees and former employees.
I’M MY MOTHER’S POWER OF ATTORNEY, SO WHY IS MY SISTER ADMINISTERING HER ESTATE?
I’M MY MOTHER’S POWER OF ATTORNEY, SO WHY IS MY SISTER ADMINISTERING HER ESTATE? A typical misunderstanding in probate is who is in charge of the deceased’s estate. One of the main causes of this confusion is that most individuals Read More….
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First-in-the-Nation Illinois Digital Asset Tax Faces Constitutional Challenge
The first major legal challenge to Illinois’ newly enacted Digital Asset Tax Act has arrived.
On July 21, 2026, the Chamber of Digital Commerce d/b/a The Digital Chamber filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Sangamon County seeking to invalidate Illinois’ controversial digital asset tax before it takes effect on January 1, 2027. The suit names David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue, and Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General, as defendants and seeks both declaratory and injunctive relief preventing enforcement of the law.
Background: Illinois’ New Digital Asset Tax
A Illinois recently became the first state in
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