Civil Litigation

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Alexander Grey, Unsplash
A proposed Illinois constitutional amendment that would impose a 3% surtax on income over $1 million is no longer just an introduction. It is now moving through the House.
As of yesterday (April 21, 2026), the resolution passed out of the House Revenue & Finance Committee (13–7) and has been read a second time, where it now sits on the House calendar for short debate. A hearing is also scheduled, signaling that leadership is at least willing to keep the proposal in play.
Substantively, the measure remains straightforward. It would amend the Illinois Constitution to impose an additional 3% tax

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Continue Reading Illinois “Millionaire Surtax” Draws Opposition from Business Groups as Amendment Advances

Naperville, IL DUI defense lawyerIf you have a prior DUI conviction and you are facing a new DUI charge in Illinois, your record will directly affect how serious the new charge is and what penalties you are looking at. Illinois law treats repeat DUI offenders significantly more harshly than first-time offenders. However, that does not mean that you can’t fight the charge against you, and Appelman Law LLC can help. If you are in this situation in 2026, our Naperville, IL DUI defense lawyer can walk you through exactly what you are facing and what can be done.
How Does Illinois Count Prior DUI…
Continue Reading How Do Prior Convictions Impact New DUI Charges in Illinois?

Case Background

Marsha J. Martin filed an amended complaint[1] alleging that she received an e-mail that appeared to be from Coastal Customs Builders requesting payment for construction services provided to her. Martin further alleged that, unbeknownst to her at the time, Coastal Customs’ e-mail had been hacked. Martin ultimately wire transferred funds to the hacker’s account at Fifth Third Bank. The hacker then withdrew the funds and transferred them elsewhere. According to Martin, Fifth Third Bank was unable to recover the funds that were wired.

Under a theory of negligence, Martin alleged that Fifth Third Bank knew the hacker…
Continue Reading Not My Customer, Not My Problem? Assessing Whether a Duty May be Owed to a Non-Customer Under Martin v. Fifth Third Bank

I’m Buying My First Home. Is Now The Right Time To Be Doing Estate Planning? When you are going through the process of buying your very first home, you may feel overwhelmed. You are making one of your first major Read More….
The post I’m Buying My First Home. Is Now The Right Time To Be Doing Estate Planning? appeared first on Law Office of Andrew Szocka, P.C..
Continue Reading I’m Buying My First Home. Is Now The Right Time To Be Doing Estate Planning?

Antonio DeBlasio

DeBlasio Law Group LLC partner, Antonio DeBlasio is pleased to announce the firm obtained a $250,000 settlement for a property owner against his Condominium Association and several of its board members.

The firm filed a lawsuit against the association and its board members for illegally enacting condominium rules and regulations without providing proper notice to the homeowners in advance, as required by the association’s declarations and Illinois law. As part of the lawsuit, the firm obtained summary judgment in favor of our client against the Condominium Association for failing to produce records of the Condominium Association in violation

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Continue Reading Hoffman Estates Condominium Association and Board Members Agree to Pay $250,000 to Settle Lawsuit.

Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this process alone. Whether your case resolves in an out-of-court settlement or proceeds to trial, our attorneys can handle all of the legal legwork on your behalf.
From proving your asbestos exposure history to presenting your case before a judge and jury, we break down the asbestos trial process so families know what to expect and can feel confident every step of the way.
Attorney Daniel Blouin is a partner and lead mesothelioma trial lawyer at Simmons Hanly Conroy. With his extensive experience litigating mesothelioma cases, he…
Continue Reading What to Expect During a Mesothelioma & Asbestos Trial: Q&A with Attorney Daniel Blouin

On April 6, the Supreme Court denied certiorari in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission. The denial leaves in place an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision allowing the State to tax a Muscogee (Creek) Nation member who works for the Tribe on trust land but resides on unrestricted fee land within the reservation recognized in McGirt.
The question presented was ultimately not whether McGirt recognized a reservation (it did) but instead, whether that recognition carries through to state income taxation. The Oklahoma Supreme Court answered no. The Court declined review.
Arguments Presented on the Petition for Certiorari
The amicus brief filed by

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Continue Reading Supreme Court Denies Certiorari in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission

Public AI Tools and Discovery Exposure

Generative AI tools have quickly become part of daily life for businesses and individuals across Illinois and Missouri. Platforms such as ChatGPT and other large-language models often feel conversational and private, which can foster a false sense of security. Recent litigation, however, demonstrates that what users type into these tools may be stored, logged, and later produced in court. For companies operating under Illinois and Missouri discovery rules—both of which allow broad discovery of electronically stored information—this risk is particularly acute.

One of the clearest examples comes from copyright litigation brought by major publishers.
Continue Reading AI, Privacy, and Discovery: Think Before You Prompt

DuPage County, IL landlord evictions lawyerPreparing strong evidence is one of the most important things a landlord can do before an eviction hearing in Illinois. Judges move quickly in eviction court, and a landlord who shows up without the right documents can lose a case they should have won. Knowing what to bring, how to organize it, and what the court needs to see can make a real difference in how your case goes. If you are a landlord facing an eviction hearing in 2026, our DuPage County, IL landlord evictions lawyer can help protect your rights.
What Does a Landlord Need To Prove at…
Continue Reading How Should Landlords Prepare Evidence for an Illinois Eviction Hearing?

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Illinois lawmakers are moving to regulate, and heavily tax, prediction markets. Prediction markets are a fast-growing corner of online wagering that has largely operated outside traditional gaming frameworks.
Senate Bill 4168, introduced by State Sen. Michael Hastings on March 5, 2026, would create a new Prediction Markets Regulation and Taxation Act, requiring any platform offering prediction contracts to Illinois users to obtain a license from the Illinois Gaming Board and pay a $1 million upfront fee and $1 million annual renewal.
The bill is currently pending in Assignments and State Sen. Cristina Castro has been added as a

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Continue Reading Illinois Bill Targets Prediction Markets With 50% Tax and $1M License Fee (SB 4168)

Every year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) dedicates the first full week of April to Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW). From April 1 to April 7, Simmons Hanly Conroy will join advocates across the world in the fight to ban asbestos.
For over 20 years, ADAO has been dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos, preventing exposure to the carcinogen, and fighting to ban all use and imports of asbestos in the United States.
Until the 1980s, asbestos was used in a wide range of industries because of its unique temperature resistance, durability, and affordability. However, employees…
Continue Reading April 1-7 Marks the 22nd Annual Global Asbestos Awareness Week

On March 11, 2026, Cheesie’s Wicker Park filed a Petition at the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal challenging a “Notice of Tentative Denial of Claim” issued by the Illinois Department of Revenue for Sales/Use Tax & E911 Surcharge.
Cheesie’s Wicker Park, LLC alleges it overpaid sales tax for the period January 2021 through November 2021 by including tips in taxable receipts and failing to account for tax already remitted through a marketplace facilitator. The company filed ST-1-X Amended Sales and Use Tax and E911 Surcharge Returns seeking approximately $46,453 in credits.
The Department’s September 2, 2025 Notice of Tentative Denial of

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Continue Reading Illinois “Notice of Tentative Denial of Claim” Dispute: Sales/Use Tax & E911 Surcharge Refund Challenge

Remote Working in Iceland Self-Portrait ✈️ Please credit my website: https://www.travelingwithkristin.com ✈️ View videos about remote work at http://www.youtube.com/travelingwithkristin
Kristin Wilson, Unsplash
On March 6, 2026, Jeffrey Somers filed a Petition at the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal challenging Illinois income tax assessments for tax years 2018 and 2019.
The petitioner, Jeffrey Somers, alleges that he was a California resident who performed all services remotely from California and had no physical presence in Illinois during the years at issue. He contends that his wages were incorrectly reported as Illinois-source income on Forms W-2 due to his employer’s Illinois headquarters, leading to an improper assessment by the Illinois Department of Revenue.
The Department issued Notices of Deficiency totaling approximately $53,000 in tax and interest

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Continue Reading Illinois Remote Work Tax Dispute: California Worker Challenges Illinois Income Tax Assessment

Fishing and Boating Rights on the Fox River and Chain O’Lakes The Fox River flows through the State of Wisconsin and then flows through the State of Illinois into the Illinois River.  This makes it a Federal Waterway because it Read More….
The post Fishing and Boating Rights on the Fox River and Chain O’Lakes appeared first on Law Office of Andrew Szocka, P.C..
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Missouri Case Highlights the Problems

The advancement of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) tools has revolutionized many industries, including the legal profession. However, the use of Gen AI in legal practice is not without significant risks. As discussed below, Kruse v. Karlen highlights the importance of accuracy, ethical responsibility, and compliance with procedural rules when using AI tools to prepare court documents.

In Kruse v. Karlen, the Missouri Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal and imposed sanctions after a pro se appellant submitted an appellate brief riddled with fictitious case citations and misrepresented legal authorities. 692 S.W.3d 43 (Mo. Ct. App.
Continue Reading Tips for Avoiding the Pitfalls of AI in Legal Practice: Missouri’s Evolving Rules on AI Disclosure

Naperville, IL assault defense lawyerMost people know that physically hurting someone is a crime. However, words alone can also lead to criminal charges in Illinois. A heated argument, a moment of anger, or even a frustrated comment made in passing can cross a legal line depending on how it was said, who heard it, and what the other person reasonably understood it to mean. If you are facing charges related to a verbal threat in 2026, a Naperville, IL assault defense lawyer can help you understand what the law actually says and build a defense around what really happened.
What Is the Difference Between…
Continue Reading When Does a Verbal Threat Become a Criminal Offense in Illinois?