When defamatory content is posted on a business’ profile, it can drive a business owner to madness. But a calculated response can stop the review from taking on a life of its own. Part I of this article helped distinguish a defamatory review from a simply negative one. What happens when a business owner is saddled with a false statement about his or her business where damages are suffered, devoid of any applicable legal exception?

Illinois may be second in the nation when it comes to the highest property tax burden, but the Prairie State offers its fair share of tax breaks too. Here are a few of the laws designed to help homeowners and businesses cut their taxes.

To address gender pay inequality, many states and local governments have passed laws that prohibit employers from asking job candidates about their salary history. As of January 1, 2019, all of the following states will have such a law in effect: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and Vermont. Illinois’ law is still in limbo as of the writing of this article due to Governor Rauner’s veto, which the legislature has vowed to override. Additionally, the following municipalities have similar laws for employers within their jurisdiction: Chicago (applies to City departments only), Louisville, New Orleans (applies to City Departments only), and Kansas City. The purpose of these laws is to stop the perpetuation of pay inequality between men, women, and minorities by ensuring that a person’s salary is based upon their value to their current employer.

Since July 2001, Illinois has required employers with 5 or more employees to make reasonable accommodations for employees who want to express breast milk. This requirement includes providing a private room, other than a bathroom, which is in close proximity to the employee’s work area.

In August, Senior Litigation Paralegal/eDiscovery Specialist, Tisha Delgado, was featured in a Chicago Tribune article entitled “E-filing System Causes Confusion.” Tisha will also be presenting a session on e-filing at the Illinois Paralegal Association’s Fall Education Conference on November 7, 2018 at the Palmer House Hilton. For more information on this event, go to www.ipaonline.org.

• How Should You Respond to Defamatory Online Reviews?
• Property Tax Breaks That Could Benefit You.
• More laws Passed To Protect Pay Equality And Illinois Amendments To Nursing Mothers Workplace Act.

Beginning on January 1, 2019, every property assessment in Illinois outside of Cook County will be fair game for assessors. Here’s what you need to know.

Illinois law requires a general assessment of all property in the state to be made every four years, except in Cook County.*

Golan Christie Taglia LLP, a well-known diversified business law and governance, litigation, employment and commercial real estate law firm is pleased to announce its 25th anniversary in 2018. Golan Christie Taglia has expanded from a two-lawyer firm to its present team of 32 partners and associates. Over the years, Golan Christie Taglia has consistently met or surpassed the needs of its clients by maintaining a simple, yet effective philosophy: Your Success. Our Focus. During its 25 years of operation, Golan Christie Taglia has dedicated its practice to delivering successful results while providing clients the highest levels of quality and personal service.

How do state-imposed tax caps affect school funding? How do Cook County tax rates compare with other large metropolitan areas? How does e-commerce affect the industrial real estate market? What is the impact of airBNB on the hospitality industry? Gain valuable insights and answers to these questions and many others as well.

Need a better understanding of the Cook County property tax system and its complexities? Our own Donald T. Rubin will participate in a tax panel discussion and networking session hosted by the Institute of Real Estate Management on Oct. 11 at Maggiano’s in Chicago. Learn more and register today here.

Although the Illinois tax on personal property was eliminated nearly four decades ago, the approach to classifying real and personal property remains controversial.

Before Illinois’ personal property tax was abolished, both real and personal property were assessed and taxed the same. Nobody cared if property was called “real” or “personal.” But when the tax on individuals was eliminated in 1970 and its corporate counterpart was phased out nine years later through a constitutional amendment, classifying property as real or personal suddenly became a big deal. Since then, only real property has been taxed.

Any corporate taxpayer contemplating an appeal should call a property tax attorney sooner rather than later.

A corporation is considered a person under the law, albeit an artificial one. It sounds like an odd concept, but it’s been around for a while. Odder yet is that corporate personal rights exist and are expanding. Pro se or self-representation is a right that’s as old as our Constitution. In the property tax appeal process, an individual can always represent themselves, but does the same rule apply to a corporation? It depends.

While the appeal process now includes more transparency, understanding the best way to proceed and succeed often requires the assistance of a trusted property tax attorney.

Each county in Illinois has a three-member panel called the board of review, which acts as an intermediary between township assessors and taxpayers. Boards hear and decide assessment complaints after giving taxpayers an opportunity to be heard. They also make rules so that the appeal process is orderly and fair.

Last year, both the City of Chicago and Cook County enacted mandatory paid sick leave laws, which went into effect on July 1, 2017. The agency responsible for enforcing the law, the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, previously advised employers that it would extend a one-year “grace period” to allow employers time to comply, in good faith, with the new law. During the grace period, enforcement actions were focused on intentional failures to comply, rather than on employers who attempted to comply, but may have failed to appreciate some nuance or unusual aspect. Now that the one-year period is over, all employers located in Cook County have even more reason to review their paid sick leave policies to make extra sure that they are in line with the new requirements.

• Does Your Business Qualify For A Tax Incentive program?
• GCT Participates In An Event That Is Close To Our collective Heart
• Update On Mandatory Paid Sick Leave Laws And A supreme Court Decision Affecting Employment agreements
• Addressing Negative Online Reviews When They Go Big

No matter where you live or what type of property you own, you may qualify for any number of special tax incentives that could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Illinois may be second in the nation when it comes to the highest property tax burden, but the Prairie State offers its fair share of tax breaks too. Here are a few of the laws designed to help homeowners and businesses cut their taxes.

As an owner, you’re entitled to your privacy. However, denying a request for an interior inspection could work against you without a property tax attorney to assist.

Township assessors will begin giving all properties in their jurisdiction a look when the 2019 reassessment period begins on January 1. State law requires property in Illinois to be reassessed once every four years, while it’s every three years in Cook County. But just how close of a look are assessors entitled to take?

Reviewing your property record card for errors or misjudgments could lead to a reduction in your assessment and overall tax liability.

An easy way to reduce your property’s assessment—and ultimately your tax liability—is to find and correct any inaccuracies that appear on your property record card.