Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence is one of the most painful experiences a family can face. Many families depend on a wrongful death claim to seek justice, hold the responsible party accountable, and recover financial compensation for the losses they have suffered. Unfortunately, not every claim is approved. Insurance companies, defendants, and their legal teams often challenge wrongful death claims, leaving grieving families feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

If your wrongful death claim has been denied in Illinois, you still have options. In many cases, a denial does not mean the end of your case. You may…
Continue Reading How to Appeal a Denied Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois

A medical emergency while someone is behind the wheel of a vehicle can become deadly for drivers around them. If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s medical emergency, you may be able to sue for compensation. Whether or not you can depends on whether the other driver’s emergency could have been prevented.
An Arlington Heights, IL personal injury lawyer can help you understand whether you have a claim.
What Is the Sudden Medical Emergency Defense in Illinois?
The sudden medical emergency defense is a legal argument that a driver shouldn’t be held at fault because…
Continue Reading Can I Sue a Driver Whose Medical Emergency Causes a Wreck?

While pursuing a food poisoning claim against a large, well-established chain restaurant may seem intimidating, it’s actually not very different from pursuing a claim against a smaller company. Restaurants of any size are legally obligated to provide their clientele with safe, uncontaminated food. When they violate that obligation, they can be held liable, regardless of their (or their legal team’s) size.
If a chain restaurant made you sick in 2026, an Illinois food poisoning lawyer can help you understand if you are entitled to damages.
Why Is It Worth Pursuing a Food Poisoning Claim Against a Chain Restaurant?
A legal…
Continue Reading Is It Worth Pursuing a Food Poisoning Claim Against a Large Chain Restaurant?

In a “standard” car accident, the claim process is fairly simple – both drivers exchange information and handle payment through insurance. But what happens when a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft is involved in a crash? Depending on the circumstances behind the collision, Uber or Lyft could provide additional compensation through their liability coverage. 
At Schwartz Injury Law, our Joliet, IL car accident attorneys have built a reputation for aggressive advocacy. We have successfully recovered millions in payment for crash survivors and other accident victims, approaching each case with a trial-ready strategy. We can investigate your claim in…
Continue Reading Uber and Lyft’s Liability for Accidents Caused by Rideshare Drivers

Under Illinois law, grooming means communicating with a child in a way that is meant to result in sexual activity. Charges can be filed based on messages alone, even if no physical contact ever happened. Being accused of grooming means facing the possibility of life-changing consequences. If you are under investigation or have been charged in 2026, a Chicago, IL crimes against children defense lawyer can step in right away to protect your rights and start building your defense.
How Does Illinois Define Grooming?
Illinois law addresses grooming under 720 ILCS 5/11-25. This law makes it a crime to…
Continue Reading What Constitutes Grooming Under Illinois Law?

An increasingly valuable asset for many businesses is its intellectual property. Intellectual property can include trade secrets, patents, trademarks, copyrights, codes, formulas, and licenses for and to use all of the foregoing. Unlike tangible assets that you can see, the use, transfer, disclosure, licensing, and protection of these assets is much more complex and requires professional expertise.
Some considerations relating to intellectual property transactions include:

  • Valuation. Auctions, appraisals, consultants, and brokers can help value the asset.
  • Due Diligence. Ownership authenticity and transferability should be secured.
  • Licensing. Investigation into the rights, use, exclusivity, and duration is required.
  • Non-Disclosure Agreements. Appropriate protections

…
Continue Reading Buying/Selling Intellectual Property

Photo credit: Daniel Hernandez
Our Commissioner Spotlight series highlights the judges and lawyers from across Illinois who have been appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as our Commissioners.
These individuals are known for their commitment to professionalism and contributions to the bar and their communities.
This Commissioner Spotlight highlights Daniel Hernandez. Daniel is the Founder, CEO, and Principal Attorney at NextLevel Law, P.C., where he practices family law, real estate, and LGBTQ rights.
Daniel is also an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, where he teaches family law and has instructed courses on courtroom techniques…
Continue Reading Commissioner Spotlight: Daniel Hernandez, Founder, CEO and Principal Attorney at NextLevel Law, P.C.

Manifest Destiny (Motherlode) | Blender 3D

Photo credit: Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) have opened applications for the 2026–2027 Access to Justice (ATJ) Improvement Grant Program.

Courts across Illinois are encouraged to apply for funding to support innovative access to justice initiatives.

Courts can also join the Court Navigator Network, a statewide community of court personnel dedicated to assisting self-represented litigants and improving court services.

The Request for Proposals is now available. Applications will be accepted through 5…
Continue Reading Illinois Courts Invited to Apply for 2026–2027 Access to Justice Improvement Grants

Once again, Ankin Law is taking time in June to celebrate Pride along with the biggest party in honor of the month.  Attorney Howard Ankin is again showing support for the LGBTQIA+ community as one of the sponsors of the coverage of the 2026 Chicago Pride Parade on ABC 7 on June 28.  It’s the second-straight year we’ve partnered with WLS-TV for a series of commercials that will air during the broadcast of the event on Channel 7. Those spots were taped in late May along the parade route on Halsted Street on the north side.  Ankin Law has had…
Continue Reading Ankin Law Supports the Chicago Pride Parade on ABC 7

When buying or selling a home, it is natural to look for ways to save money.
Real estate transactions are expensive. There are inspection costs, lender fees, appraisal fees, title charges, moving expenses, commissions, taxes, and closing costs. By the time someone gets to the attorney fee, it can feel like just another line item.
So some buyers and sellers choose their closing attorney based almost entirely on price.
That is understandable.
It can also be a mistake.
The cheapest closing lawyer may save you money upfront. But if the legal work is rushed, incomplete, or too high-volume, the problems…
Continue Reading The Cheapest Closing Lawyer Will Cost You More Later

A bill to reduce the alcohol limit for DUI from .08 to .05 is currently under consideration in the Illinois House of Representatives.
So far, the bill is in its early stages. As of June 9, 2026, the bill had had a first reading and been assigned to the rules committee. The next step is for it to go to a substantive committee. See https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?GAID=18&DocNum=4333&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=164856&SessionID=114 for most recent bill status.
According to Frank Harris, the director of State Government Affairs for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), a change in the law could save 44 lives per year. See Illinois considers …
Continue Reading ILLINOIS MAY REDUCE DUI ALCOHOL LIMIT TO .05

Ancel Glink has released Quorum Forum Podcast Episode 106: Legislative Update. The Illinois General Assembly
recently concluded its spring legislative session and Ancel Glink’s Greg Jones and Tyler Smith join
us to talk about recent legislation local governments should know, including
updates on housing grants, e-bike and e-scooter regulations, hemp regulations,
and more! 
In This Episode:

  • [00:00]
    Baseball Fever:     Greg and Tyler discuss their favorite all-time
    and underrated players, including Lou Whitaker, Barry Bonds, and Anthony
    Rizzo.
  • [03:45]
    The “Build Plan” vs. The “REAL Act”:     We
    review Governor Pritzker’s Build Plan omnibus package, which sought to
    preempt local zoning for

…
Continue Reading Quorum Forum Podcast Ep. 106: Legislative Update

On June 4, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a new National Enforcement Plan (NEP), effective immediately, replacing the Biden-era Strategic Enforcement Plan. The NEP realigns federal enforcement around the current administration’s priorities and signals a significant shift in how workplace discrimination claims will be investigated and litigated. For employers, the change reshapes where federal risk will change and diverge from state law obligations.
Continue Reading New EEOC Enforcement Plan Immediately Reshapes Employer Compliance Risks

You’ve spent years building an audience under your handle, but here’s the thing nobody tells you: that handle is not a trademark. It’s a license from the platform. And if someone else files a federal trademark registration for your brand name, they can file a complaint and get your handle transferred to them. I break down exactly how this happens, what platform complaint processes actually do (and don’t do), when being in a different industry protects you and when it doesn’t, and the three questions that tell you whether your brand name is genuinely protected right now.
The post Why …
Continue Reading Why Your Social Media Handle Isn’t a Trademark Registration and How to Fix It

Important Points

  • Nerve damage can result from a sudden workplace accident or years of repetitive job duties.
  • Chicago workers may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits when their employment causes or aggravates a nerve condition.
  • Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, weakness, burning sensations, and loss of coordination.
  • Workers’ compensation may provide medical treatment, wage replacement benefits, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • Insurance companies often challenge nerve injury claims, making thorough medical documentation essential.
  • Early reporting and legal guidance can strengthen a workers’ compensation case.

When Workplace Nerve Damage Changes Your Ability to Work

Nerve injuries can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s…
Continue Reading Workers’ Compensation for Nerve Damage in Chicago

Accident News | Chicago, IlA person was taken into custody after a stolen pickup truck collided with an Illinois State Police vehicle in Chicago’s Grand Crossing neighborhood early Monday morning. According to Illinois State Police, a trooper spotted a pickup truck that had been reported stolen by Chicago police while patrolling near the northbound Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94) at 87th Street shortly after midnight.

Authorities said the driver refused to stop when the trooper attempted a traffic stop, leading to a brief pursuit that continued off the expressway. The pursuit ended near 72nd Place and Stony Island Avenue when…
Continue Reading One Arrested After Pickup Truck Hits ISP Car in Grand Crossing