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
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