Future Energy Jobs Act: Solar Farms
The Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act, implemented last year, requires that Illinois utilities get 25% of their retail power from renewable sources by the year 2025. This was significant news for the solar power market, and the state has seen a boom in large solar farms. Proposals to construct a solar farm have flooded the
Properly Administering a Litigation Hold
When your company faces a potential lawsuit, it is of the utmost importance to begin preserving any documents that could be considered relevant to the case. This is done through the issuance of a litigation hold directive to employees, informing them of what documents to preserve and segregate in order to maintain that preservation. In
Medical Marijuana in Schools
Governor Rauner has signed legislation that permits medical marijuana to be used in Illinois schools. House Bill 4870 allows a parent or a child’s guardian to administer medical marijuana to students at school. The parent/guardian must be registered with the Department of Public Health, and the legislation does not allow school personnel to administer the
Age Discrimination: Employer Recruiting Practices Under Fire
Identifying age discrimination in the employment process can sometimes be a daunting task, since the discrimination can often be concealed. Experience caps on jobs as well as targeted job advertisements that only appear on the social media pages of certain age demographics are examples of how alleged age discrimination has entered the digital world. In
The Estate & Gift Exemption and Using It to Your Advantage
Three popular strategies have emerged for business owners to move their interests from their estate to directly benefit their heirs, while reducing tax exposure and maximizing wealth. By understanding all three, you can make the correct choice to ensure your business’ future. The 2018 federal individual estate and gift exemption amount is $11.18 million per
IRS to Crack Down on “Independent Contractors vs. Employees”
The IRS has begun a crackdown on the classification of individuals in the workplace. Specifically, the IRS is beginning to examine whether an individual meets the requirements of an independent contractor or if they are, in fact, actually an employee. The IRS currently estimates that 80% of workers that are classified as “independent contractors” are
Big Benefits for Women-Owned Businesses
As the amount of women business owners in the United States continues to grow at a rapid rate, the federal government, along with state and local governments, are offering opportunities to promote this expansion. By certifying your business as a Women-Owned Small Business or a Woman Business Enterprise, you and your business can get access
New Illinois Laws & Legislation (2018)
In August, Governor Rauner vetoed legislation that would have applied many workplace anti-discrimination requirements to businesses with only one or more employees. The current law applies these anti-discrimination requirements to businesses with 15 or more employees, which is the same requirement applied federally as well. A new Illinois law requires the Illinois State Toll Highway
Terminated Employee Denied Bonus Moves Forward with Civil Rights Suit
A white manager who alleged he was denied a bonus because he fired a black subordinate employee had his civil rights suit greenlit last month in Illinois federal court. The manager and the employee had a tumultuous history together that included the employee previously being fired twice for missing work and failing to follow work
City Program Supports Local Businesses on the South / West Sides
Businesses located on Chicago’s South and West Sides will soon receive another round of grants from a program that sets aside millions in fees from the City’s flourishing downtown building development. The program, called the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (“Fund”), was started in 2016 by Mayor Emmanuel. As part of the program, Emmanuel first expanded the