Category: Business Law
Potential Expansion of Illinois Taxes May Affect Your Business
Sales tax is one of the largest sources of state revenue and is crucial to basic government operations. Although Illinois currently only applies sales tax to goods, such as tangible personal property, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is considering broadening the sales tax base to include services. Many, many states like Delaware, Hawaii, New Mexico, South
General Contractors Beware! You May Be Responsible for a Subcontractor’s Failure to Pay its Workers
HB2838 (“Bill”), which has been passed by the House and is under consideration in the Senate would allow the Department of Labor to hold prime contractors responsible for subcontractors’ unpaid employees, and employees who are paid less than the applicable minimum wage. Specifically, the Bill would hold prime contractors responsible for “any debt owed to
Illinois Appellate Court Ruling Affecting Labor Unions’ Termination of Employees
In a recent case, Dorothy Crawley v. The Board of Education of the City of Chicago, the 1st District Appellate Court ruled that the termination of a Chicago school teacher, who called in sick but in reality, actually went on a vacation, was warranted under the state’s School Code. Although the Defendant submitted a physician’s
New Legislation Regulating Employers’ Interview Procedures
On August 9, 2019, Governor Pritzker signed into law, the Illinois Artificial Intelligence Video Interview Act (“Act”)– one of the first laws in the country aimed at regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the employee hiring process. Starting January 1, 2020 Illinois employers will be prohibited from using artificial intelligence to interview prospective employees
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
“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
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
FLSA’S “REGULAR RATE” WILL CHANGE SOON
The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) recently offered hope to many employers that are seeking clarity regarding compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (“FLSA”) overtime calculation rules. The FLSA generally requires employers to pay employees overtime pay of at least one and one-half times their regular rate for hours worked in excess of 40