Freight Funding Announced
In March, Governor J.B. Pritzker and Transportation Secretary Omer Osman announced a nearly $200 million investment in 22 port, rail and highway projects intended to improve the freight movement throughout the state. Among the projects is $18.8 million for a new bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal on Illinois 50. Administered by IDOT
National Labor Relations Board Issues Modification to Proposed Rule
In late October, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued an explanation and justification for the modification of its rule regarding Joint Employer Status of employees of second entities. Within this explanation, the NLRD clarified three (3) major points including; (1) the definition of “essential terms and conditions of employment”, (2) the type of control
The Highway Trust Fund Nears Insolvency
The United States’ Highway Trust Fund finances most federal government spending for highways and mass transit. Currently, this fund is in jeopardy as the Highway Trust Fund is running low on funding. Current trends indicate it will run out by 2028. The primary source of revenue for the Highway Trust Fund is from federal taxes
What is the Corporate Transparency Act?
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) will establish uniform reporting requirements concerning beneficial ownership information for certain types of corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and other entities created in or registered to do business in the United States. The CTA authorizes the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to collect that information and disclose it to authorized
Expiration Dates Pose a Hurdle for SPACs Yet to Finalize Mergers
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) are publicly traded corporations with a specific goal—facilitating a merger with a private business to take it public. They have a two-year lifespan and raise funds from public-equity investors. This process aims to streamline and de-risk the initial public offering journey for the target companies. As of February 2023, 348
U.S. Economy and Childcare
A 2023 study from the not-for-profit group Ready Nation revealed the negative economic consequences of unavailable childcare. The study analyzes how families, businesses, and taxpayers manage the costs of childcare and concluded that the U.S. loses a total of $122 billion in economic output every year due to unavailable childcare. This marks a significant increase
DBE Goal Credit for Trucking
DBE Goal Credit for Trucking Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) are for-profit small businesses where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51% interest and meet other requirements such as participating in the management of daily operations. The primary goal of the DBE program is to provide small businesses owned and operated by individuals
Chicago’s Immense Pension Debt
Chicago’s pensions remain among the worst-funded local retirement systems in the nation. The four city-sponsored pension systems – municipal employees, laborers, police officers, and firefighters – along with the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund, hold more debt than 44 states combined. According to data provided by the Equable Institute, these funds have a combined pension debt
In-Person Inspection of Form I-9 is Changing on July 31st
Form I-9 verifies the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. Accordingly, all U.S. employers must properly complete Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. Since March 2020, virtual inspections of identity and employment eligibility documents have been permitted where all employees were
The Upsides to Downsizing: Why Corporate Clients are Seeking out Smaller Firms
Large corporate law departments are pivoting and hiring outside counsel at smaller law firms due to the rising costs in litigation and high hourly rates for outside counsel at firms with over 500 attorneys. Despite healthy operating budgets from strong profitability, they are seeking the best representation at the best cost, and the answer is