Representing Business in the Fox Valley
This is a three part informative series for Non-Citizens of the United States discussing options to incorporate and obtain work visas. Business ownership has become a sub-plot to the modern “American Dream.” Entrepreneurs from all over the United States are eager to bring their ideas to life in an effort to achieve success. However, business...
These days you can’t drive by a strip mall without seeing a retailer that sells what is now becoming known as E-Cigarettes. They come in many forms but the general concept is that it is an electronic device that mimics the look and sensation of smoking a real cigarette by vaporizing nicotine which the “smoker” then inhales. It does produce a...
On January 1, 2014, it became legal for patients with diseases or conditions currently specified by the Act to use marijuana for medical purposes. Under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, these patients must be registered with the Illinois Department of Public Health and may purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana...
The year 2014 brings many changes that affect not only the workplace but how you conduct business in Illinois. On July 9th, 2013, Illinois became the last state to allow individuals to carry concealed weapons. Although it became law in 2013, we are just now feeling the effects of its enactment. Over 23,000 people in Illinois have applied for...
Effective July 23rd, 2013, Public Act 98-107 requires all individuals or companies that have contracts with State Agencies, Universities and Community Colleges to post certain Employment vacancies on the Illinois Department of Employment Security’s www.IllinoisJobLink.com system or provide a link to its online employment vacancies site that is...
To avoid being sued for not paying overtime is to follow some basic principles and policies. Make sure that you, your Supervisors and your Employees clearly understand the overtime policy. There should be no “comp time” and no Off-the-Clock work with a nudge and a wink. Using Comp Time is not an acceptable way of avoiding overtime claims. ...
On March 8, 2013, the government released a revised Employment and Eligibility Verification Form I-9 which employers must use effective immediately. To obtain the new form you can use this link http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf. This link provides the new form and instructions on appropriate verification documentation and how to complete...
By Christina Stoneburner on August 29, 2013 Posted in Family Medical Leave Act, Gay Marriage, General Employment Matters When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) in U.S. v. Windsor, we advised that there would be sweeping implications to employers from everything from benefits enrollment to FMLA entitlements. ...
Secretary of State John Kerry announced that “effective immediately” same-sex spouses applying for Visas will be treated in the same manner as opposite-sex spouses. For example, if you are the same-sex spouse of a US Citizen, or a noncitizen your Visa application will be considered equally as if you were an opposite-sex couple. The fair and...