A BAIID is a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device. First-time DUI offenders can get special permission (a Monitoring Device Driving Permit) that lets them drive during their suspension as long as they have one of these devices installed in their vehicle. The device prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver’s blood alcohol content is […]
Alimony, spousal support and maintenance all mean pretty much the same thing, which is the money that one spouse regularly pays to another after a divorce. The reasons, amount, and length of time vary, however. Why? The idea behind spousal support is that many times the spouse who earns less, or who doesn’t work at […]
QDRO stands for Qualified Domestic Relations Order. It has to do with splitting up retirement assets in a divorce. The law in Illinois says that retirement plans are the joint property of both spouses, at least the portion that was earned or acquired during the marriage. Retirement plans are marital assets, and in a divorce, […]
It’s no surprise that you can lose your license if you drink and drive, but the details can be confusing because in Illinois there are two different ways in which you can lose your license. There is what’s called a “statutory summary suspension” from the secretary of state, and then there potentially is a separate […]
A whistle blower is someone who alerts the government to fraud. The term often gets used in a broad sense to describe someone exposing the unethical or illegal behavior of a corporation. Actual whistle blowing, however, is exposing fraud against the government. If your employer is cheating customers, encouraging sexual harassment in the workplace, or […]
Personal injury and workers’ compensation are two types of injury cases in Illinois. Both can involve the same types of injuries, such as a slip and fall, a vehicle accident, or an injury caused by a machine or piece of equipment. The difference lies in the cause of the injury. If your injury is caused […]
We hear from a lot of people who are naturally upset after suddenly getting fired. Many call because they’re wondering if it’s illegal for their employer to fire them without two weeks’ notice. Some ask whether they’re at least entitled to pay for those two weeks. The law on this, for most people, is pretty […]
Not everyone is entitled to a public defender. There has to be financial need. Also, don’t be so sure that you want a public defender. If hiring a private attorney is an option for you, it might be a better idea. Everyone has the right to a defense, and if you are facing jail time, […]
A felony conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. It shows up on background checks, which means that you’ll have to disclose it, and many people can end up seeing it. It can make it more difficult to get and keep a job, and it can altogether prevent you from applying for […]
If you are injured on the job, Illinois law says that you get 2/3 of your wages while you are unable to work. If you earn $900 a week, you should get checks for $600 a week. All of your related medical bills should be covered too, and you might get a settlement if your […]