You were just walking. Maybe crossing at an intersection. Maybe heading to your car. Then, in a matter of seconds, a vehicle hit you. Now you’re dealing with pain, mounting medical bills, and endless questions about what happens now. At SAM LAW OFFICE LLC, we have seen the devastating impact of pedestrian accidents on victims […]
The post What Legal Rights Do Injured Pedestrians Have? appeared first on SAM LAW OFFICE LLC.
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Key Legal Insights from the ISBA Rural Practice Newsletter for Illinois Attorneys and Farmers highlight practical considerations that impact legal professionals, farmers, and rural communities across the state. As Co-Editor of the Illinois State Bar Association Rural Practice Newsletter, Cari Rincker helps bring forward important discussions that reflect the realities of practicing law and managing legal issues in rural Illinois.
From Champaign to Springfield, Bloomington to Decatur, and throughout Shelbyville, Effingham, and surrounding areas, rural legal practice presents unique challenges that differ significantly from urban environments. The most recent newsletter provides valuable insight into how attorneys and clients can…
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Kogut & Wilson partner Cailee J. Alderman will cover adoption law and parentage topics during two upcoming CLE programs this month.
On April 7 at 2:00 pm CDT, Cailee will speak during a Chicago Bar Association webinar titled “Family Formation in a New Legal Landscape: ART, Surrogacy, and Confirmatory Adoption Under the Equality for Every Family Act.” Her portion of the program, “Equality for Every Family Act: History and Parentage and Divorce Updates,” will focus on recent Domestic Relations developments under the Act, including how changes to parentage and divorce may impact family law practitioners.
On April 8, from 12…
Continue Reading Cailee J. Alderman to Address the Equality for Every Family Act and Adoption Issues in Upcoming CLE Programs

It has been confirmed that a former technology teacher—one of the individuals named in our lawsuit against the Oconto Falls Board of Education—has voluntarily surrendered his teaching license with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
This case is about driving meaningful reform and making our schools safer for every student who walks through their doors. We are encouraged that David Heisel has surrendered his teaching license in the State of Wisconsin—but this is only the beginning. More must be done to ensure our schools are truly safe.
We commend the courage of the victims who came forward to speak out.
Continue Reading Oconto Falls Teacher, David Heisel, Surrenders Teaching License

After decades of building a life, a family, and a future with your partner, it can be terrifying to admit you are no longer happy in your marriage and want to divorce. If you’re grappling with these feelings, you might feel guilty or wonder if something is wrong with you for even considering it. At […]
The post Why Are Divorce Rates Rising Among Couples Over 50? appeared first on SAM LAW OFFICE LLC.
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The artificial intelligence tools you are using right now to run your business, to write your marketing copy, design your logo, generate product ideas, create images for your website, and produce your social media content, are raising intellectual property questions that most business owners have not fully thought through yet.
And here is what makes it genuinely spooky: the wrong assumption can cost you your copyright. It can sink your trademark application. It can leave you building a brand on a foundation you do not actually own.
The post AI and Your IP: What Every Small Business Owner Actually Needs …
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In 2016 more than 324,000 traffic collisions were reported in our state, and more than 93,000 injuries were reportedly sustained in those crashes.
What are your rights if you are injured by a negligent driver in his state? Will you need to – or be able to – take legal action? Can you be reimbursed for your medical expenses and lost wages? Can a Chicago car accident lawyers help?
WHAT’S YOUR TOP PRIORITY AFTER A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT?
If you are injured in a traffic accident, you’re going to have plenty of questions regarding your legal rights and options, but your…
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A consent foreclosure can make financial sense when you owe more on your home than it is worth, you cannot afford the payments, and you want to walk away without owing anything after the process is complete. However, it is not the right choice for everyone, and the financial trade-offs are real. If you are facing foreclosure in 2026, the North Chicago, IL consent foreclosure lawyers at Newland & Newland, LLP can help you figure out what makes the most sense for you.
What Is a Consent Foreclosure in Illinois?
A consent foreclosure is a legal process where a homeowner…
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Preparing 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…
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I’m quoted in Construction Dive’s 3/31/26 article How to Navigate the NRLB’s Joint Employer Rule Reversion. The article was also picked up for Construction Owners’ 4/2/26 article NLRB Joint Employer Rule Reset Explained.

How to Navigate the NRLB’s Joint Employer Rule Reversion
The Trump administration has issued a rule to redefine joint employers. Here’s what that means for contractors’ relationships with subs.

Published March 31, 2026


Editor

Danielle Ternes/Construction Dive

Listen to the article6 min

This feature is a part of “The Dotted Line” series, which takes an in-depth look at the complex legal landscape of …
Continue Reading Construction Dive’s Article “How to Navigate the NRLB’s Joint Employer Rule Reversion” Quotes Me

Gathering Your Financial Ducks in a Row: What Documents You’ll Need in the Early Days of an Illinois Divorce

If you’re just starting the divorce process in Illinois, the paperwork can feel like a mountain—especially when it comes to finances. But here’s the good news: pulling together the right documents early on isn’t as scary as it sounds, and it actually makes the whole journey smoother. Think of it as creating a clear snapshot of your household’s money picture so everything (from child support and spousal maintenance to dividing assets fairly) can be handled transparently and equitably.

In Illinois, both…
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Graduates and fans of the University of Illinois have had a lot to celebrate this April. Thanks to a great run in the NCAA Tournament, the Illini men’s basketball team advanced to the Final Four in Indianapolis, ending a 21-year drought for the program.  Even with a late season slump and early loss in the Big Ten Tournament, the Illini found their stride at the right time in the South Region. Two wins in Greenville, South Carolina and a pair in Houston punched their ticket to the National Semifinals in Indianapolis.  Attorney Howard Ankin, a graduate of the University…
Continue Reading Celebrating an Illini Final Four with 2 friends of Ankin Law

Child Custody for Illinois Farmers: Parenting Time and Parental Responsibilities Explained is an important topic for families across Central Illinois, where agriculture is not just a job but a way of life. For farmers in communities such as Champaign, Springfield, Bloomington, Decatur, Shelbyville, Effingham, and surrounding rural areas, creating a parenting plan requires careful thought and strategic planning. Unlike traditional work schedules, farming involves long hours, seasonal demands, and unpredictable conditions. These factors can make parenting time and decision-making arrangements more complex, but with the right approach, families can create plans that support both the children’s best interests and the…
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Found a Buyer Without a Realtor? What Happens Next in a Chicago Home Sale
Finding a buyer without a realtor can feel like the hard part of the home sale is already done.
After all, if you already know who the buyer is, there is no need for listing photos, open houses, or multiple showings. For many sellers, especially in private or off-market deals, that sounds like a major simplification.
And in one sense, it is.
But what many sellers do not realize is that finding the buyer and closing the deal are two very different parts of the transaction…
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What to Expect Emotionally and Legally When Filing for Divorce in Illinois is an important question for individuals across Central Illinois who are considering or beginning the divorce process. For spouses in Champaign, Springfield, Bloomington, Decatur, Shelbyville, Effingham, and surrounding communities, understanding both the emotional and legal aspects of divorce can help reduce uncertainty and allow for more informed decision-making.
Divorce is not just a legal proceeding. It is also a significant life transition that can impact nearly every aspect of your daily life, including your finances, family relationships, and future plans.
Understanding the Legal Process in Illinois
Filing for…
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How Certain Words And Actions Can Affect Your Divorce Case In Illinois
Divorce is often an emotionally challenging time. Anger, frustration, and fear can affect communication and behavior, but statements or actions during this period may have significant legal consequences in Illinois. Words spoken in anger, social media activity, financial decisions, and text messages can all become evidence in court.
Illinois courts consider many aspects of each spouse’s conduct when deciding property division, parenting time, child support, and spousal maintenance. Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/101 et seq.), judges have broad authority…
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