How Illinois regards “Stand Your Ground” laws

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In Illinois, George Zimmerman would have already been charged with a crime.

We’ve all been watching the news lately and hearing about the “Stand Your Ground” laws on the books in Florida and in approximately 30 other states.  Under the Stand your Ground laws, a civilian may use deadly force anywhere they feel the need to defend themselves.  Thus, George Zimmerman can claim that he felt threatened by Trayvon Martin who allegedly was beating Zimmerman at the time Zimmerman pulled his weapon and fatally shot Martin.

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Illinois Court perspective on non-competition agreements

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The Illinois Supreme Court has completely changed the way the Courts are to look at non-competition agreements.  The decision seems to favor the entity attempting to enforce the non-competition agreement.  In the case of Reliable Fire Equipment Co. v. Arredondo, 2011 IL 111871 published on December 1, 2011, the court confirmed that an employer must demonstrate a “legitimate business interest” (LBI) to enforce an otherwise reasonable post termination restriction on competition.

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Can fraudulent misrepresentation occur in a non-business setting?

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Illinois Supreme Court decision pending

Generally, when someone claims fraudulent misrepresentation it occurs around some type of business. One party to a contract misrepresents the condition of a business or piece of property or some other significant part of the transaction.

A California resident interacted for more than one and a half years online with various personas created by a Batavia (Ill.) woman. The parties met online in a chat room devoted to the HBO show “Deadwood.”

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“Gross income from all sources” may not mean gross income from all sources

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On Tuesday, March 13, 2012, the First District Appellate Court (the court that governs Cook County) issued a ruling that stated that a divorced attorney’s withdrawals from his retirement funds should not qualify as income for purposes of determining the amount of money he owes his ex-wife in maintenance.

The parties divorced in 2001 after 30 years of marriage. Under the divorce settlement, the husband was to pay $14,000 per month in maintenance to his ex-wife. In 2007, the husband filed a petition to terminate or decrease his maintenance obligation because his income decreases as a result of the merger of his firm with another firm.

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