The deadline for reporting childhood sex abuse has changed because many victims of sexual abuse have repressed memories, and even if they remember the abuse, they may not discover its harmful impact until much later.

Sending photographs of a sexual nature via the cellular phone or computer is considered sexting, and can have huge consequences for minors. As the sexting law stands now, minors caught electronically distributing photographs that are sexual in nature are considered to be in promotion of Child Pornography. Child Pornography laws are harsh and include mandatory registration as a sex offender.

The current law considers driving any amount over the posted speed as speeding and you would receive a standard moving violation.

Motorists who drive recklessly near a bicyclist will see increases in penalties as well as up to a year in jail and fines up to $2,500.

It is about to get a lot easier for employees to collect on back wages here in Illinois on January 1, 2011. The new law will cover wage theft, a term used when an employer doesn’t pay a worker the wages they have earned.

A recent Chicago court filing illustrates the difficulties encountered by caregivers of ailing parents or relatives. Sometimes, there’s a fine line between “medical” care and “long term” care and those involved in the care of a particular patient may vehemently disagree as to which category applies. This untenable situation can cause unfortunate conflicts to arise […]

In the past we’ve discussed distracted driving, in the context of texting bans and the use of iPads in cars. And, I think we can all agree that in an ideal world, when driving, people should focus only on the road. This proposition makes sense, both for purposes of our own safety and the safety […]

Be careful with that scalding hot cup of coffee or tea that you just bought. If you spill it and sustain third degree burns, you may be severely injured and out of luck. That’s the unfortunate lesson to be learned from a recent federal court decision. In Moltner v. Starbucks Coffee Co, No. 09-4943, the […]

Being pulled over for drinking and driving is not the same as it was 10 or 20 years ago; in the past you could go to court and it would cost you a few hundred dollars as a fine, court supervision, 30 days of AA meeting attendance and a commitment not to do it again.

Today the consequences are much more severe. The State of Illinois is not taking Drinking and Driving lightly. The State can revoke your driving privileges if you are pulled over and they ask you to take a breathalyzer test.

I notice many people are still using their hand held cell phones for calling and texting while driving in the city. As you may know, Illinois is one of six states that allow localities to determine their own laws regarding cellular phone use while driving. Chicago is one of the cities that have chosen to enact hands free legislation and make driving while using a cellular device illegal.

As the year comes to an end, I caution you to adhere to some of the “Vehicular Phone Laws” that went into effect in 2010. It’s about more than just getting a ticket; it is about getting into an accident. I bet you didn’t know that texting while driving is comparable to having 4 shots of tequila, and talking on the cell phone while driving is the same as having 2 shots, and, if you are in a heated conversation, you may as well have had a couple of beers with those shots because chances are you are not paying attention to your driving.

Text messaging is