Credit is necessary and affects our daily lives. Not only do you need credit to obtain a loan to buy a home or car, but your credit score is an important factor in renting an apartment, the cost of insurance premiums and whether you and your family are eligible for certain student loans.

Historically, most estate plans revolved around the nuclear family structure of husband and wife who were married for the first time and children that were born of that marriage. Over the course of the last 20 plus years, divorce rates have increased, more opposite-sex couples are opting to live together without getting married and there is a greater awareness of same sex couples who are committed to each other. In these situations, the traditional approach of estate planning is not always appropriate.

Starting January 1, 2011, Illinois will join just four other states (Hawaii, Louisiana, Oregon and Washington) that prohibit employers from conducting credit checks on job applicants and employees as part of the process for making employment decisions.

On September 27, 2010 President Obama signed into law the Small Business Jobs Act. As part of a larger bill, the legislation contains new (and extensions of existing) tax incentives for small businesses, including extended bonus depreciation, increased Code Section 179 start up expenditures, 100% capital-gains exclusion for “qualified small business stock,” reducing the holding period for avoiding S corporation built-in-gain tax, extending the carry back period for eligible small business credits, providing retroactive 6707A penalty relief for failure to report “listed” and “reportable” transactions, and allowing self-employment deductions for health insurance costs in computing FICA taxes.

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) recently released an announcement to clarify the definition of “son and daughter”under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to ensure that an employee who assumes the role of caring for a child receives parental rights to family leave regardless of the legal or biological relationship. The FMLA allows workers at covered employers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period to care for loved ones or themselves. The 1993 law also allows employees to take time off for the adoption or the birth of a child.

Starting on January 1, 2011, employers in Illinois will be subjected to harsher penalties under state law for failure to pay wages due to employees. The amendment to the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, which is being referred to as the “Wage Theft Enforcement Act,” will also make it easier for employees to bring claims for unpaid or late wages before the Illinois Department of Labor or in court.

For many of you in Cook County, the receipt of the 2nd installment 2009 bills after the election came as an unpleasant surprise. The total 2009 taxes due were often higher than the year before despite property values being down.

• New Law Prohibits Credit Checks On Illinois Employees
• New Tax Incentives Under The Small Business Jobs Act
• U.S. Department of Labor Expands Application of Family Medical Leave Act
• Illinois Law Amended to Impose Harsher Penalties for Failing to Pay Wages
• 2009 Cook County Tax Bills Are Up

• How a Mechanics Lien Can Help You Get Paid For Your Work
• Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009
• Real Estate Taxation
• Golan & Christie Scores a KO In Case of First Impression

• How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Debt Collection
• Government Incentives to Hire New Employees
• Employment Law Alert

• How to Choose a Successful Product Name
• Golan & Christie Attorneys included in 2010 Illinois Super Lawyers List
• Employment Law Alert

• Selling Securities Is a Dangerous Business
• Golan & Christie Announces a New Partner
• Promoting Employee Loyalty and Accomplishment Through Equity and Performance Based Compensation
• Employment Law Alert

• Court Strikes Illinois Law Prohibiting Employers From Using E-Verify
• Golan & Christie Announces Two New Partners
• Golan & Christie Welcomes Three New Employees
• Employment Law Alert

Do not include any references to protected characteristics in any materials that advertise a job. These characteristics include race, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, etc.

• Tax Updates and Opportunities in the Current Economy
• Practical Considerations in Protecting Your Family through Estate Planning
• Employment Law Alert

• December 31st Deadline Looms for Section 409A Compliance
• Understanding the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
• Employment Law Alert

While it is important to know what the law says about harassment and discrimination, it is just as important to know what your company’s policy says, because the written policies are the ultimate rulebook for your workplace.

• What Can a Real Estate Attorney Do for You
• Golan & Christie Welcomes Two New Attorneys
• Personal Liability for Corporate Checks
• Employment Law Alert

• Golan & Christie Teams Up with Verros, Lafakis & Berkshire to Fight Excessive Property Taxes
• Protecting Yourself from Claims Under the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act
• Golan & Christie Welcomes Two New Attorneys
• Employment Law Alert

• Public Act 95-0661 Clarifies Illinois Law on Enforcement of Judgments
• Barbara Yong Recognized
• Employment Law Alert

• The Pension Protection Act Explained for Not-for-Profit Organizations and Donors
• an Alternative Use of Life Insurance Policies
• Licenses for Your Business in the City of Chicago
• Employment Law Alert

• Business Litigation Client Alert
• Illinois Amends Limited Liability Company Act to Allow for “Series” LLCS
• Employment Law Alert

GCT’s Intellectual Property Group hosts an informational webinar - Trademark Challenges: Swords and Shields