Author: Rock Fusco Connelly LLC
Advising Asset Protection Plans
Avoiding creditors is a constant battle for debtors. In fact, the common practice of hiding cash under the mattress has given way to more modern methods such as protecting assets by placing them into trusts. Some states, including Alaska, Delaware, and Nevada, actually allow debtors to intentionally shield assets from the claims of creditors by
Chicago’s Minimum Wage Hike Takes Effect
As of July 1, 2015, Ordinance 02014-9680 became effective, which increased the minimum wage for employees in the Chicago to $10 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.45 for tipped employees. The Ordinance provides for subsequent raises on July 1 of each subsequent year until the hourly minimum wage reaches $13 for non-tipped employees in
Recent First District Opinion Clarifies Standard For Piercing Corporate Veil As Well As Who May Be Held Personally Liable
A basic principle of corporate law, indeed the very reason why individuals incorporate or organizations create subsidiaries, is to insulate stockholders (whether corporations or individuals) from the corporation’s liabilities. However, this insulation from liability is not absolute. “Piercing the corporate veil” (“PCV”) is the legal doctrine that allows a plaintiff to hold the entities or
Illinois Implements Act Requiring Certain Small Businesses to Provide Retirement Plans to Employees
The Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act (“Act”) (S.B. 2758, Pub. Act 098-1150), which requires certain small businesses to implement retirement plans for employees, took effect on June 1, 2015. Here are just a few highlights of what Illinois employers need to know about the Act and how it will impact their businesses and employees
Employers’ Duty to Provide Reasonable Accommodations to Pregnant Employees: Recent Developments in Federal and State Law
On July 14, 2014, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued new guidance on its interpretation and application of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (“PDA”). Amongst other things, the EEOC’s guidelines relate to an employer’s obligation to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees. The PDA was a 1978 amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights
Advising Medical Marijuana Businesses
With the passage and implementation of the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, Illinois stands to follow many other states on the path towards legalized marijuana use. However, despite allowing specific uses of marijuana, the federal government still identifies the possession, sale, and production of marijuana as illegal. While the U.S. Department of
When the Bubble Bursts: How Tech Start-Ups Are Hurtling Towards a Crash
At the turn of the 21st century, the internet had become a new market for individuals of all backgrounds and experience to begin online companies. Backed by venture capitalists and millions of dollars, dozens of internet companies such as Amazon, Yahoo, and Google were launched, and the dot-com era was born. These companies would go
Beyond Contract Liability: When a General Contractor Has to Pay a Subcontractor He Never Hired
The general rule concerning contracts holds that the only parties that can be held liable are those that signed the contract. In other words, you or your business generally can’t be held liable for a contract you did not sign. This simple rule is fundamental to contracts in the construction business. A general contractor hires
New Laws for the New Year
With the ringing in of a new year, more than 200 new laws have become effective in Illinois. Below are some of the most important laws which were enacted and what they might mean for you or your business. Pregnancy Discrimination (HB8 / PA 98-1050) Perhaps the biggest new law of the year for businesses
Corporations, Sexual Harassment, and the IGVA
In 2003, the Illinois General Assembly passed the “Gender Violence Act” (“IGVA”). The act stated that any person subjected to gender-related violence as defined by the act could bring a civil action for damages against a “person or persons.” While the Act appears to be relatively straightforward on its face, recent Supreme Court cases such