The fast-food chain McDonald’s has been one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago and across the U.S. for decades. However, the restaurant’s reputation has been soiled by what many employees are calling ongoing, unaddressed sexual harassment against workers. Just recently, McDonald’s staff in cities throughout the country walked off the job in protest of workplace sexual harassment. This walk-off is not the first of its kind. In fact, McDonald’s workers have organized strikes multiple times in the past over allegations of discriminatory actions and workplace harassment issues.
Restaurant Workers Say They Were Verbally and Physically Harassed
Workers should be…
Continue Reading McDonald’s Employees Continue Efforts to Curb Sexual Harassment

Reaching the decision to divorce can be just as difficult as the divorce itself. Married couples may try to make the marriage work for years before finally admitting defeat. Typically, by the time a couple files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, the marriage is beyond saving. However, relationships are complex and sometimes, a divorcing couple changes their mind. Read on to learn about your options if you have changed your mind about ending your marriage through a divorce in Kane County.
Filling a Motion to Dismiss Divorce Proceedings
Divorce is final. Once a divorce is complete, the spouses’ marriage…
Continue Reading What If I Change My Mind About Divorce?

There is no getting around the fact that divorce has considerable financial implications for both spouses. Going from a two-income household to a one-income household can turn your life upside down. The division of property and debts, spousal maintenance, and child support can also change your financial situation substantially. When starting the divorce process, spouses must consider the role of finances and make plans to prioritize their post-divorce financial wellbeing. For many divorcing spouses, this requires an honest assessment of their financial situation – perhaps for the first time ever.
Do Not Wait to Educate Yourself About Your Finances
Many…
Continue Reading Ignorance About Finances Can Leave You Vulnerable During Divorce

Sexual harassment is considered a form of illegal sex-based or gender-based discrimination. Every employee deserves to work in an environment where they feel safe and respected. Despite numerous federal and state laws designed to protect workers from sexual harassment and discrimination, unlawful harassment continues in workplaces across the United States.
When most people think about sexual harassment, they assume that the harassment involved opposite-sex individuals – usually a male aggressor and a female victim. However, sexual harassment does not always follow this stereotype. Sexual harassment victims and perpetrators can be of either gender. Sometimes, the victim and the perpetrator are…
Continue Reading LGBT Individuals Who Suffer from Sexual Harassment Face Unique Challenges

For divorcing or unmarried parents, the issue of child custody is often a top concern. Even if parents initially agreed on how to divide parental responsibilities and parenting time, things change. Sometimes, a child custody arrangement becomes impractical or inappropriate. If you are a parent who wishes to modify your current child custody order, it is important to understand how and when child custody modifications are permitted in Illinois. Illinois courts want to promote stability and consistency in children’s lives. Consequently, child custody modifications are only granted under certain circumstances.
Modifying Parenting Time or Parental Responsibilities
In Illinois, “child custody”…
Continue Reading How Do You Change Your Child Custody Agreement in Illinois?

Image a sexual harassment victim. If you are like many people, the first person that comes to mind is a young woman in a traditionally “feminine” outfit such as a skirt or dress. Sexual harassment happens to women and men of all ages, ethnicities, and lifestyles. By no means is the problem limited to what we think of as “feminine” women.
However, a recent study suggests that sexual harassment claims are perceived as less credible or less severe when the victim is a woman who does not fit traditional female stereotypes. The study has significant implications and reminds each of…
Continue Reading Study Suggests That Stereotypes About Women Impact Sexual Harassment Claims

If you have ever watched a television show or movie about divorce, you may assume that all divorce cases involve dramatic courtroom showdowns. However, this is a far cry from reality. Most divorce cases settle before they go to trial. Less than five percent of divorce cases actually go to trial. In this blog, we discuss the role of the marital settlement agreement in Illinois.
Settling Divorce Issues Before Going to Trial
Divorce trials are stressful and expensive. In most cases, settling the divorce and avoiding a trial is the better option for everyone involved. (Though there are still some…
Continue Reading What is a Marital Settlement Agreement?

Divorce is never easy. However, some divorcing spouses face obstacles and challenges that the average person does not. If you or your spouse are a local celebrity, well-known business leader, or otherwise in the public eye, you will undoubtedly face additional challenges.
Understandably, people in this situation are extremely concerned about confidentiality. Divorce cases involve discussions about deeply personal matters and detailed financial information. If this information becomes public, it could potentially harm your reputation or even ruin your career.
Avoid Public Litigation by Using Alternative Resolution Methods
If you are concerned about keeping confidential information private during your divorce,…
Continue Reading Getting Divorced When You or Your Spouse Are Well-Known and Value Privacy

There is no doubt about it: Divorce can have massive financial implications. For many, getting divorced represents a considerable financial hardship. In Illinois, divorced parents with the majority of the parenting time are typically entitled to child support. Some divorced spouses are also entitled to spousal maintenance or, as it is called in other states, alimony. You may be wondering, “Can a spouse receive both spousal maintenance and child support?”
Understanding Illinois Child Support and Spousal Maintenance Laws
Typically, divorce cases involving parents include a child support order. The amount that a parent pays depends on both parents’ net incomes.…
Continue Reading How Does Spousal Maintenance Affect Child Support? 

Retail stores account for a massive portion of the U.S. economy. Approximately two-thirds of the U.S. gross domestic product comes from retail sales. Retail employees are a crucial component of our modern lives, however, working conditions in the retail industry are often unsatisfactory and sometimes intolerable. Sexual harassment is prevalent throughout the retail industry. Sadly, some retail workers tolerate demeaning conduct at work because they are financially dependent on the job and do not know their legal options.  
Sexual Harassment in the Retail Industry
Just over 13 percent of sexual harassment claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)…
Continue Reading Retail Workers and Store Employees Are at High Risk of Sexual Harassment

Many people underestimate just how involved the divorce process can be. Ending a marriage is not only deciding to divorce and filing the petition for dissolution. To divorce, the couple must also address divorce issues like the division of marital property and debts, allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, and spousal maintenance. Reaching an out-of-court agreement on these issues instead of letting the court determine the unresolved issues can save a tremendous amount of time, money, and stress. If you are getting divorced, consider the following alternatives to litigation.
Reaching an Agreement Through Your Attorneys
Understandably,…
Continue Reading What if My Spouse and I Disagree About Divorce Issues Like Parenting or Property?