Tensions between family members run high during the holidays. Many couples that have been working at home together while trying to manage their children's online learning have decided that it is time to pull the plug on their marriages. If you are considering divorce, you may be wondering whether it is a good idea to become separated or divorced during the holiday season. Numerous benefits come from getting divorced during the holidays, such as tax benefits and the ability to...

A Tolono, Illinois woman faces embezzlement charges for allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer over five years. She has also been charged with filing false income tax returns for four years straight. The woman had control of her employer’s financial records and access to its bank account and credit cards. According to the indicted, she allegedly wrote vendor checks to herself and she also wrote checks for cash payable from the company's bank account. Additionally, she...

A couple in Palatine just fulfilled their dream of opening up a deli and bakery last year when the coronavirus pandemic struck. By taking online orders and using aggressive social media marketing, they have survived the first round of shutdowns. Now they have learned that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker just announced that Tier 3 restrictions will begin again for all Illinois residents starting. Stay at home advisories are now back in effect in suburban Cook County and Chicago. The couple...

Illinois has experienced over 10,000 new coronavirus diagnoses a day for the fourth day in a row. Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker recently announced that Illinois will continue to increase restrictions in multiple counties, citing the fact that the number of daily new cases has increased by 380% since October 1st. Many Illinois residents over the age of 65 are understandably concerned about the dangers of coronavirus, yet most young adults aged 30 and younger do not seem to take...

A married couple in their 50s thought their lives were moving along nicely. They both made advances in their professional lives and were enjoying their financial freedom, despite working incredibly long hours and not spending nearly enough time together. However, when Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker ordered a shutdown, they both were required to begin working from home. The wife began to notice her husband sneaking off during the day to take phone calls outside or in another room. He claimed...

A Schaumburg couple finally decided to get divorced and go their separate ways. The wife felt as though her husband held her back from her dream of opening her own business. The husband felt his wife was not supportive enough of his own all-consuming, yet successful local bar and grill. After months of negotiating the terms of the contentious divorce, they breathed a sigh of relief when the court finalized their divorce settlement. Like many of us, the spouses thought...

A Chicago businessman decided to go out with his co-workers after work on Halloween weekend. He learned that Governor Pritzker would be imposing another indoor dining ban due to the increased spread of COVID-19 the coming week. Despite restaurant owners fighting back against the stringent second round of shutdowns, the governor has not backed down. Knowing that they would not be able to go out and eat in a restaurant for quite a while, they decided to enjoy several drinks...

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx won reelection in a hotly contested local race this past election cycle. When Foxx was elected in 2016, she promoted a platform of “progressive prosecution.” This movement seeks to make reforms to the criminal justice system, with the end goal of preventing mass incarceration. Kim Foxx has made good on her promise to enact progressive prosecution policies, and her appointment has resulted in the changing face of Illinois criminal law. Understanding Progressive Prosecution Kim...

A Chicago couple got married last year in what was deemed the social event of the season. Prominent Chicago business people and politicians came to the wedding. The couple moved into a beautiful condo in downtown Chicago to begin their life together. Unfortunately, after the honeymoon was over, problems began to arise within their marriage. The husband became verbally abusive and eventually started hitting his wife. His wife, worried about the stigma of pressing charges or getting help, has avoided...

Many of us rely on our driver’s licenses to get to work, so when those licenses are suspended or revoked, it can wreak havoc on our lives. Trying to get your driver’s license reinstated in Illinois has become even more complicated in the era of coronavirus. If you are pulled over with a blood-alcohol level of .08% or higher or any trace of illegal drugs in your system at the time of an arrest, an automatic driver’s license suspension will...

A married couple with three children is considering what their future will look like when their youngest child goes off to college next year. They have stayed together for their children, but as they consider their looming empty nest, they are drawn to getting a divorce. Should they put off their divorce, or should they go ahead and file for divorce now, before the end of the year? There are a few financial and personal benefits to filing for divorce...

A Schaumburg family decides to host a Halloween party at their home since bars and restaurants in Illinois are still not allowing gatherings larger than 10 people. After being in lock down for months, they are looking forward to having friends and family to let loose and celebrate. They splurge and spend a lot of money on the bar, and their guests let loose and indulge. The host of the party has invited his brothers and their families, and those...

Last Halloween, a drunk driver crashed into pedestrians, killing a 3-year-old boy and his father while critically injuring his mother. The family was on the sidewalk trick or treating with their young son when the driver of an SUV hopped the curb and ran into them. Police officers detained him and charged him with a DUI and vehicular manslaughter. The 20-year-old defendant now faces a serious prison sentence and significant fines. DUIs are always serious, but driving under the influence...

A Schaumburg couple has been isolating with their children since March. One of their sons was born prematurely and has chronic lung disease. If he contracts COVID-19, it could be deadly for him. The couple is already heavily in debt from his medical expenses and therapy. Their son's condition has also taken a toll on their marriage, making them somewhat resentful of each other. The wife had to quit her job to accommodate her son's medical appointments and therapies. The...

A husband and wife living in Cook County have struggled a bit in their marriage, but overall they have enjoyed a happy life together. After their third child was born during the pandemic, the wife began to experience symptoms of postpartum depression. She would sit for long periods of time in isolation, and for a while, she was barely able to care for her child. Because of the coronavirus-related shutdowns, both spouses were working from home on a reduced salary....