If you have a concealed weapon license, it is 100% legal to have a gun in your home. In fact, it is a little easier to obtain such a license in the Prairie State than it is in some jurisdictions. In Illinois, the decision-maker can only reject your application for certain objective reasons. In other places, the decision-maker can block your application with just a vague “I have a bad feeling about this” objection. Carrying a concealed weapon in public...

Sargent Sam looks forward to his brother-in-law’s annual Fourth of July party more than he looks forward to Christmas. That party means fireworks, food, family, and friends. The party also means one or two Mexican beers with lime wedges. Like many of us, Sam knows that it is best to Uber back and forth so he does not need to worry about drinking and driving. But, like many of us, planning ahead is not always Sam’s forte. Despite the fact...

Some of the most successful professional salespeople in Chicagoland sell real estate. Property values have largely bounced back since the Great Recession. The negative equity percentage is still high, but it is much lower than it was around 2010. So, for the most part, real estate commissions are as healthy as they have been in recent years. This means that an Illinois real estate license is quite valuable. Especially since real estate license-holders work so hard to obtain those licenses,...

A license to carry a concealed weapon is not synonymous with a license to use it. These are two different things. As for the latter, Illinois’ self-defense laws are still in full effect. These laws are some of the most limited such ordinances in the country. Nevertheless, self-defense is an effective defense to battery, assault, and even murder in many cases. In a nutshell, the use of force, even deadly force, is justified if the actor reasonably believes that the...

Most legislation is a bundle of compromises, and that is certainly true of Illinois’ carrying a concealed weapon law. Many law enforcement agencies bitterly opposed the measure. These groups rather understandably resist anything that puts more weapons on the streets. However, citizens do have a limited Constitutional right to bear arms. Most all other states had already codified this right into a weapons carry law. So, here is the compromise: It is rather easy to obtain a CCW permit in...

The Prairie State is one of the few jurisdictions that requires roofers to be licensed. Some roofers in Chicago see that requirement as a good thing. It gives the profession more prestige, they argue. Furthermore, they say, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversight basically serves as an alternative to the rather harsh criminal and civil liability that wayward roofers can face. Others do not agree. They insist that the additional regulatory burden is unnecessary and unwanted. Like them...

Each year, licensed chiropractors treat an estimated 35 million Americans. Judging from the patient satisfaction numbers, which are usually above 95%, these professionals do a good job. Yet even today, some people consider spinal manipulation to be a sort of pseudo-science. So, it is little surprise that the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation is so aggressive when it comes to chiropractic licenses. Many of the cases the IDFPR pursues involve self-inflicted wounds which the practitioner may not even...

The Prairie State was one of the nation’s last jurisdictions to pass a law allowing people to carry concealed weapons. It took some closed-door meetings to get the deal done. So, it is rather surprising that 430 ILCS 66 is so broad. Illinois is basically a “modified shall issue” state. According to the law, the Department “shall issue” a license to applicants who meet the qualifications and do not draw a legitimate law enforcement objection. Some other jurisdictions, most notably...

A physician who recklessly prescribes painkillers is “a drug dealer with a lab coat,”according to Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Daniel Gillen. In January 2018, Illinois lawmakers handed Mr. Gillen and his team a powerful new weapon in its fight. How does that development affect you? The DEA is targeting physicians who prescribe large amounts of pills and do not ask questions. Agents are especially watching out for doctors who prescribe what Mr. Gillen called the “holy trinity of drugs.”...

Largely due to the perception of ongoing gun violence in Chicago, Illinois was one of the last states in the country to allow people to carry a concealed weapon. So, it is little wonder that the concealed carry law contains a number of very broad exceptions. Even if the defendant is fully licensed and not threatening anyone, merely carrying a firearm is illegal in a number of different places. Many times, the place names and/or descriptions are quite vague. Your...

Drug overdose deaths have quadrupled since 1999 to become the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. During a crisis like this one, people often look for someone to blame. That someone is often the doctor who prescribed the opioid painkillers. About 5% of opioid users become addicted. Sometimes, addiction occurs even though the patient does not abuse the drug. Doctors who overprescribe opioids face both civil and criminal liability. It is important to have an attorney on...

A premarital agreement is a lot like an insurance policy. When you got your first apartment, you probably obtained renters’ insurance, even though the risk of accidental loss is very remote. Renters’ insurance offers excellent protection and it is easy to obtain. Premarital agreements are much the same. After just one conversation, an attorney can draw up a fully-enforceable premarital agreement. As outlined below, these pacts can cover a wide range of matters. Furthermore, thanks to the Uniform Premarital and...

Medical professionals must have extremely trusting relationships with their patients. As far as the state is concerned, few things violate that trust more than a forcible felony conviction. As a result, just one bad decision can put your livelihood at risk. In a few cases, there is little that anyone can do to prevent the state from denying a healthcare license in these situations. But typically, an attorney can make a huge difference. Preliminary Considerations in Chicago Forcible Felony Cases...

At many institutions, college tuition has doubled in the last 20 years. The problem is especially serious here in Illinois. For many years, colleges have relied on extremely generous pensions to attract faculty and staff. Now, those pensions are being paid out just as enrollment is dropping. Even though child support terminates at age 18, an Illinois judge could require noncustodial parents to pay a portion of college expenses. Many Chicago divorce decrees contain a reserve clause, which says something...

This problem is not only one of the most pressing issues of our time, it is also one of the fastest-growing problems we have seen in a while. Each year, an estimated 2.6 million Americans abuse prescription drugs for the first time. In a few cases, this use is just a one-time experimental use of a drug. In most cases, however, it is the first step on the road to a dangerous addiction. Some say that the opioid epidemic began...