On August 13, 2021, Governor Pritzker signed into law amendments to the Illinois Freedom to Work Act, which impose significant restrictions on non-competition and non-solicitation employment agreements starting January 1, 2022.

Golan Christie Taglia LLP is proud to announce Margaret A. Christie has been included in Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders list in 2021.

The following is a summary of some of the more significant changes in Illinois law on state taxation enacted by the Illinois Legislature in its 2021 session.

Golan Christie Taglia is pleased to welcome Brittany Bermudez, who joins the firm as an associate in the Employment Law Group.

Chicago Lawyer has selected Brianna L. Golan to be listed as one of the 40 Under Forty attorneys in 2021.

Barbara Yong was a featured guest on Hirsch Serman's Radio show on financial wellness.

Golan Christie Taglia is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Rambach, Leynee Cruz Flores and Laurie Smigielski have joined the firm.

The 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America names GCT’s Margaret A. Christie, Caren A. Lederer, Jeffrey C. Rambach and David M. Saltiel to its Best Lawyers list.

2020 was a difficult year. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the economy across all industries, especially real estate. As the lockdown extended well beyond initial expectations, commercial lending became virtually impossible to obtain given the instability of the market and lack of forecast ability. As a result, we saw a number of commercial real estate deals delayed indefinitely and eventually terminated. On the leasing side, we had tenants defaulting on their leases and asserting force majeure as a means of temporary rent relief. But, as 2020 dragged on and we learned to navigate the unprecedented time, we finally started to see a light at the end of the tunnel as we moved into 2021.

The Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (the “Act”) requires employers to pay every employee all wages earned. Upon separation from employment, the employer is required to pay the final compensation of the employee in full, if possible, but no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. Should an employer fail to make such payment, the Act imposes penalties and individual corporate officers may be held personally liable for such non-payment of wages.

Golan Christie Taglia attorneys successfully represented a kosher caterer before the Beit Din Rabbinic Court of the Chicago Rabbinical Council.

The final 2020 multiplier for Cook County taxpayers was released and it will have a major impact on Illinois taxpayers.

Tony to transition the firm into the post-COVID era as Steve moves back into practice.

In June 2021, the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate unanimously voted to amend the Illinois Freedom to Work Act to impose significant restrictions on non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. Governor Pritzker is expected to sign the bill into law and, if so, this amendment will be effective January 1, 2022.

Golan Christie Taglia’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion involves standing with the LGBTQ+ community for a more accepting and inclusive society.

As employers continue to cope with the fallout from the pandemic, new considerations need to be made for employees as return-to-work plans and their manifold implications lie just around the corner.

This panel presentation updates your knowledge of the Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB), including its history as a “poor person’s court,” the Cook County expansion, who they are and what they decide, filing with the PTAB, and interveners and increases.

IRS Notice 2021-31 released on May 19 provides guidance on the government subsidy of COBRA continuation coverage that is available to employees and their covered dependents who lose group health coverage as a result of reduced hours of employment or involuntary termination of employment.

The GCT Diversity & Inclusion Committee’s commitment to inclusion in the workplace has driven discussions involving a variety of forward-thinking books and documentaries that shed light on important issues that impact our community and society at large.

On March 23, 2021, Governor Pritzker signed the Employee Background Fairness Act (the “Act”), imposing several new obligations and restrictions on Illinois employers. The new law amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to significantly limit employers’ ability to disqualify a job applicant or current employee based on the individual’s criminal record.

The period provided for COBRA premium waivers under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) has begun. This six-month period began on April 1, 2021, and runs through September 30, 2021. Action by employers and their COBRA service providers is required by May 31 – and it may make sense to take action as soon as May 1.

Starting in early 2022, the US Copyright Office will begin offering a small claims court for copyright infringement cases. Now is a good time to audit your website and avoid potential copyright problems.

The recently adopted American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) includes in its $1.9 trillion of relief spending reimbursement of the premium cost of COBRA continuation coverage for employees and their covered family members who lose their group coverage as a result of an involuntary termination of their employment or a reduced number of employment hours.

Golan Christie Taglia is proud to announce Toni Falligant has been formally admitted to the Illinois State Bar and officially joins the firm as an associate.