§179D Energy Efficient Tax Deduction
Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, you may qualify for the Internal Revenue Code §179D energy efficient tax deduction on construction or capital improvement costs designed to increase a building’s energy efficiency. This deduction is available for private or commercial buildings, as well as public schools, federal, state, local government, municipality, and military buildings.
The Surge of Genetic Privacy Lawsuits in Illinois and the Impact of GIPA on Businesses
Illinois’ Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) has gained notable attention alongside the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), particularly due to an increase in class action lawsuits, reaching 30 cases in 2023. This surge is attributed to several factors, including parallels in the right of action and remedy provisions shared between GIPA and BIPA. GIPA,
Chicago Mayor Introduces Clean Buildings Ordinance to Phase Out Fossil Fuels in New Construction
Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced an ordinance on January 24, 2024, establishing an indoor emissions standard that would eliminate fossil fuel combustion in many new commercial and residential construction and renovation projects. The ordinance essentially prohibits the use of natural gas appliances and energy systems such as gas stoves and boilers in new construction. At the
Labor & Workers’ Compensation Law Updates for 2024
P.A. 103-0282 (HB 1363) (Rep. Guzzardi, Sen. Villa) – GENDER VIOLENCE- EMPLOYER DUTY This new legislation provides that an employer is only liable for gender-related violence committed in the workplace (rather than the work environment) by an employee or agent of the employer when the gender-related, violent interaction arises out of and in the course
Healthcare & Insurance New Laws
P.A. 103-0123 (HB 1384) (Rep. Cassidy, Sen. Loughran Cappel) – RECONSTRUCTIVE SERVICES This new law provides that a managed care plan that is altered, presented, issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 may not refuse coverage for medically necessary services reconstructive services that are intended to restore physical appearance. Illinois Municipal League took
2024 Firefight Law Updates
P.A. 103-0521 (HB 1595) – EMS Systems Dispute Resolution This amendment to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System Act, amongst other requirements, provides that all specified Advisory Committees include at least one representative from the labor organization recognized as the exclusive representative of the specified entities’ employees. Additionally, an EMS Medical Director may now only
Staffing Agencies Ask Court to Block Enforcement of Changes to Labor Act
Recently, staffing agencies subject to the regulations of the 2006 Illinois Day and Temporary Labor Service Act are challenging amendments to the Act. They, along with their trade associations, are urging a federal court to prevent the enforcement of these changes, which primarily dictate the management and payment of day laborers and temporary workers. The
Potential Shift on the Horizon for U.S. Housing Market
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and other franchisors are navigating the fallout of a multibillion-dollar verdict handed down recently over agent commissions in Missouri. The case hinged on the commissions, usually of 6%, that sellers pay their agents, who then split them with the buyers’ agents. A jury concluded that the traditional practice where
Illinois Supreme Court Expands Insurance Coverage for Construction Defects
In a recently issued opinion of the Illinois Supreme Court concerning insurance coverage for construction defects, the Court held that insureds under standard Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance policies may now be covered for claims involving inadvertent defective construction. In other words, contractors and construction companies can now receive coverage for claims involving damage to
Pritzker Loosens Post-Prison Conditions in New Law
At the end of July, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a new law modifying the conditions required to complete the final steps of a sentence, also known as parole and mandatory supervised release, which have historically ranged from mandatory drug testing to needing to ask permission before leaving the state. One of the most controversial of