Posted on June 06, 2014 in Family Law

Child Welfare

Keeping children away from harm and making sure they are part of a loving and safe home environment is a top priority for any federal or state government. Child welfare in Illinois is safeguarded by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (“DCFS”).

DCFS is in charge of investigating claims of abuse and, if necessary, removing children from unsafe environments. Because DCFS is tasked with such an important responsibility, it must be adequately funded. It must also be staffed with highly capable and vigilant guardians who will protect vulnerable children in need of care.

Financial and Budgetary Constraints

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 Posted on June 05, 2014 in Personal Injury

A recent news article reported on an organized effort in Bloomington to bring awareness to the issue of bicyclists' safety. About 200 people participated in the event, called Ride of Silence, in an effort to assert their right to share the road and remember cyclists who have been injured or killed while riding. The hope for many was that the ride would increase drivers' awareness of bicycle riders.

Purpose of the Event

Some participants dedicated their ride in the event to the memory of a friend or loved one who had been killed in an accident while riding. Others attended the event for the same reason. Event organizers said the purpose of the Ride of Silence is for cyclists to bring attention to safety issues, to symbolize that they are a part of a the road, and to honor those who have died. The ceremony is a solemn one meant to make a point.

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 Posted on June 03, 2014 in Personal Injury

During the spring and summer season, many individuals in the Chicago area and throughout the state of Illinois will seek to enjoy the outdoors in different ways. The use of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other recreational vehicles will undoubtedly be on the rise in the coming months. This increased use will unfortunately, yet likely, lead to more accidents and resulting injuries involving ATVs and their drivers.

It is important to highlight the dangers and concerns associated with the operation of these vehicles, since accidents involving ATVs too often result in serious and traumatic injury and even death.

Dangers

While many people enjoy driving ATVs, which may include jet skis, three- and four-wheelers, and dirt bikes, the vehicles can pose a danger to drivers and their riders who are at risk of serious injury in the event of an accident. Particular dangers can include the vehicle flipping or rolling over during an accident due to operator error or improper maintenance, or hitting a hole or unexpected object on the road or path on which the vehicle is driving. If a driver or rider fails to wear safety equipment, such as a helmet, any potential injury will likely be significantly worse than it otherwise would have been.

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 Posted on May 29, 2014 in Personal Injury

A common tenet of driver safety is to never get behind the wheel while intoxicated. However, the fact remains that many people, at varying degrees of intoxication, do decide to drive their vehicle while drunk. This puts not only the driver and any passengers in danger, but also poses a significant risk to others on the road.

Yet what happens when the situation is seemingly even more egregious, and the drunk driver's passengers include small children? A recent news article examined some troubling statistics in light of an incident that occurred in Illinois.

DUI-Related Deaths among Children

When it comes to DUI-related deaths of young children, many typically think that the minors were riding in a car that was struck by a drunk driver. However, a recent study revealed findings that show this is simply not true.

The study, which was recently published in the journal Pediatrics, found that 65 percent of children killed in DUI-related crashes are actually riding in the car with the drunk driver. The journal's finding also included that between 2001 and 2010, over 2,300 minors under the age of 15 were killed in accidents that included at least one driver under the influence. Of those deaths, 42 occurred in the state of Illinois.

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 Posted on May 27, 2014 in Personal Injury

Most car accidents occur as the result of at least one driver's negligence or carelessness. In some of these cases, it may be difficult to prove which driver was at fault and whether he or she was being negligent at the time of an accident that resulted in property damage or injury. Other times, it seems that driver negligence is all too obvious. When obvious fault exists there is a chance that an actual crime was committed. In these cases, the at-fault driver may not only face a civil lawsuit from those affected but also criminal charges filed by the State.

Civil v. Criminal Laws

Most car accidents, no matter what the underlying cause, gives rise to civil liability. The civil law involves disagreements between individuals parties, like two drivers. After an accident, the party that was negligent is usually required to compensate those hurt. Injured patrons can file a lawsuit to protect their rights depending on the extent of their injuries. If a lawsuit is filed, the success of any case will depend on a thorough investigation into the facts of the case and a proper estimation of plaintiffs' damages that were caused by her negligence. At other times an actual lawsuit is not necessary, because attorneys can negotiate with insurance companies for full payment without the need for court intervention.

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 Posted on May 26, 2014 in Immigration

Illinois is one of the most socially progressive states in America, making it a desirable place to live for immigrants and non-immigrants alike. Illinois is in the front of the pack among the states when it comes to three of the biggest social issues of the day – same-sex marriage, marijuana, and immigration. Ours was within the first 20 states to legalize medical marijuana and gay marriage, and among only 10 states so far to allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license. All three laws were passed last year, positioning Illinois as one of the leaders in granting civil liberties to its citizens.

Reasons Behind Issuing Driver’s Licenses to Undocumented Immigrants

The state’s reasons for issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants are the same as the reasons behind legalizing same-sex marriage and medical marijuana – it is both practical and the right thing to do. Supporters of same-sex marriage, and of greater immigration rights, argue that it is just to treat all people who reside in our country the same – granting everyone equal rights. Not everyone agrees, but regardless of your interpretation of individual rights under the U.S. Constitution, it is difficult to argue with the reality that undocumented immigrants are going to drive.

In fact, some estimate that in Illinois – the fifth most populated state – over 250,000 drivers are undocumented. Inevitably, these drivers get involved in accidents from time to time. The Illinois Highway Safety Coalition reports that undocumented drivers cause $64 million in damage claims each year. So, one practical approach to this problem is accepting the reality, and requiring that undocumented drivers learn the rules of the road and get a license and insurance.

Getting Your Driver’s License

Undocumented drivers, or non-visa immigrants who wish to drive, can now apply for what is called a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL). A Temporary Visitor Driver’s License is good for three years but may only be used for driving purposes – not as valid identification in other circumstances. Commercial driving licenses are not available – only class D, L, or M (car or motorcycle). Some of the requirements are listed below, but not all, so be sure to check with an official testing center, or call the state office at 855-236-1155.

The general Temporary Visitor Driver’s License requirements include:

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 Posted on May 26, 2014 in Family Law

Prenuptial Agreements

The ‘prenup’ is a legal document that has worked its way into the common terminology of the American household. Stories of millionaire-philanthropists marrying partners a fraction of their age usually garner the question, “did they sign a prenup?” As a result, prenuptial agreements are usually recognized as a tool for the rich to ensure that their husband or bride-to-be is genuinely interested in them as a human being, and not attempting to execute a convoluted plan to divest the wealthier partner of their holdings after a divorce.

This ideology, however, only addresses a singular aspect to a complex legal document. Therefore, it is important to discover the actual composition and implications of the well known prenuptial agreement.

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 Posted on May 22, 2014 in Personal Injury

A new law which was passed by the Illinois Legislature last session and took effect on January 1, 2014 may help ensure Illinois car accident victims receive quicker payment to help in their recovery.

The law, 735 ILCS 5/2-2301 "Settlement of Claims Payment," is intended to curb the need for attorneys to pile into court in order to enforce the terms of a settlement agreement, including those stemming from car accidents. Defendants in different cases, including serious injury and property damage are regulated by this new law. However, this law does not govern cases in which governmental entities and state employees are defendants.

The Specifics of the Law

Gone are the days when substandard insurance companies could agree to settle a claim only to drag their feet when it came to sending a release and remitting payment. This new rule forces defendants to adhere to strict deadlines as it pertains to submitting release agreements and settlement checks. This should eliminate the sometimes lengthy process of closing a file where one has sued a substandard insurance company. This new law will also likely prevent the tedious follow up phone calls and subsequent motions to enforce terms of a settlement agreement.

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 Posted on May 20, 2014 in Personal Injury

Accident cases can range from car crashes to motorcycle and ATV accidents, to crashes involving pedestrians. No matter the source of the accident, any legal action arising out of such incidents would fall under personal injury law in Illinois, which would govern any resulting lawsuit. In deciding whether to file suit after an accident, one of the primary considerations a potential plaintiff may have is what damages they may recover if their lawsuit is successful.

Damages in Personal Injury Cases

According to the personal injury law in Illinois, a person who is injured as the result of another's negligence can seek compensation for their injuries and for other damage the negligent act may have caused. A defendant could be held responsible for many different types of damages in amounts to be determined by a judge or the jury hearing the case. The purpose of awarding damages in personal injury cases is to put the plaintiff back in the position he or she was in prior to the accident.

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 Posted on May 20, 2014 in Immigration

While some immigrants to the United States wish to remain citizens of their home countries, many intend ultimately to become U.S. citizens. The process of becoming a U.S. citizen is called naturalization, and it is long and difficult. Because of this, it is important to know the steps you will have to go through before you can take the Oath of Allegiance, and to be able to fix any problems along the way.

Eligibility

The most important part is to know whether you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen, and if not, to possibly take steps to become eligible. In order to be eligible, you must:

• Be 18 years old or greater;

• Have been in the United States as a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or three if married to a United States citizen);

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