Author: Rock Fusco Connelly LLC
Employers Beware: New Chicago Ordinance Establishes Notice Requirements for Workers’ Schedules
On Wednesday, July 24th the Chicago City Council unanimously approved the Fair Workweek Ordinance (“Ordinance”). Commencing July 1, 2020 Chicago employers in the Building Services, Healthcare, Hotel, Manufacturing, Restaurant, Retail and Warehouse Services industries will be required to provide employees earning less than $26 per hour or employees with salaries at or below $50,000 a
Illinois Legislature Approves Bill Targeting Workplace Harassment
This past June the Illinois General Assembly overwhelmingly passed SB75, or the Workplace Transparency Act, which now sits before Governor J.B. Pritzker. Assuming Governor Pritzker signs the bill into law, new limitations and requirements will be placed on employers starting January 1, 2020. Here are a few key take-aways contained in the Act: First, the
“Rebuild Illinois” Imposes New Taxes and Fee Hikes
“Rebuild Illinois” Imposes New Taxes and Fee Hikes On June 28th, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the $45 billion capital bill known as the “Rebuild Illinois” plan. The $45 billion capital bill will be used to fund infrastructure, education, environment/conservation, health care, and community and economic development projects throughout the state. A portion of the funding
Illinois Legalization of Marijuana Does not Allow its Unfettered Use
The Illinois General Assembly has passed HB1438, making Illinois the tenth state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to legalize recreational marijuana. On January 1, 2020, Illinois residents will be able to purchase marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries, and registered residents will be able to cultivate limited amounts of cannabis for personal use. Although HB1438
Cook County Real Estate Tax Incentives
With high real estate taxes on commercial and industrial properties in Cook County, compared to neighboring collar counties, the Cook County Board (“the Board”) has created several programs designed to encourage industrial and commercial development. Specifically, the Board is offering real estate tax incentives for new construction, and the reutilization of vacant buildings. In Cook
Insurance Policy Doesn’t Pay for Death Involving Autoerotic Asphyxiation
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that a death resulting from an intentionally self-inflicted injury was excluded from coverage under its insurance policy. A man had strangled himself while performing autoerotic asphyxiation, the act of intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual pleasure. A medical examiner had determined the cause
Cryptocurrency: Easy to Conceal, Hard to Value
Cryptocurrencies have often been described as “the new offshore account” because it is too expensive and time consuming to trace. Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, are anonymous and decentralized, and although they are a popular form of investment, they are also a tool for those attempting to hide assets. Every time a Bitcoin is exchanged the
New Act Raises Age of Buying/Selling Tobacco Products to 21
On July 1, Illinois officially raised the legal age for purchasing tobacco and nicotine from 18 to 21. Back in April, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed HB345, also known as “Tobacco 21,” into law, making Illinois the 11th state to adopt the statewide law, and the first state in the Midwest to do so. Tobacco 21
Illinois Condominium Buyers Beware
A recent Illinois Supreme Court decision eliminates consumer protection for homeowners seeking a financial remedy against subcontractors for defective construction that could potentially have ripple effects throughout Illinois. The Court found in Sienna Court Condo Association v. Champion Aluminum Corp. that purchasers of a new home cannot sue a subcontractor that has no contractual relationship
Protect Your Trade Secrets
In 2016, U.S. Congress passed the Defend Trade Secrets Act (“DTSA”), which created a body of federal trade secret laws that almost mirrored the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (“UTSA”). The DTSA and UTSA govern trade secret protection in nearly every state and federal jurisdiction in the United States, and allow an owner of a trade