At the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, two weeks into the Illinois Shelter-In-Place Order, I wrote a blog about insurance coverage for business losses due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. At the time of that blog, more than a billion people were under some sort of quarantine law, and numerous US states and foreign countries had […]
COVID-19
Lessons From Virtual Bench Trials And Evidentiary Hearings
The Covid-19 Pandemic undoubtedly changed the face of litigation. In many Illinois state and almost all federal courts, hearings are done virtually. Everything from routine status hearings, to arguments, to bench trials are done through Zoom, or Teams, or some other virtual computer format. Even as courts are opening to in-person jury trials and other […]
Workers Are Quitting Their Jobs To Put Themselves First, But At What Cost?
The pandemic has undoubtedly caused many people stress and is forcing them to quit their jobs to prioritize their mental health, child care, elder care or other issues. Most people that quit do not have to deal with unexpected consequences, but for some leaving their jobs without proper notice to the employer may be in […]
OSHA – Emergency Temporary Standard Vaccination Requirements and More
On November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) for the purpose of minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace.
Where are the workers?
The help wanted signs are everywhere. What happened to all the workers? There is not a single industry that is not affected by the lack of willing and capable earners. This issue is not just isolated to the restaurant or retail shops. It is also an issue with teachers, medical professionals, attorneys and the like.
Illinois Businesses Should Look At The Model ABA Rules For Guidance On Virtual Practice
More than a year has passed since businesses moved to a virtual format in the wake of the Covid-19 global pandemic. Covid-19 is still circulating and new strains, including some more virulent strains, are still a concern for much of the world. We can no longer assume that the remote work place is merely a […]
Mandatory Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Policies Receive Approval from the EEOC
Employers may be able to mandate that employees get a COVID-19 vaccination before returning to the workplace. The EEOC has updated its COVID-19 webpage to include a section regarding guidance on whether an employer-mandated vaccination policy would violate various federal laws. While the EEOC guidance does not directly state that mandatory vaccination policies are lawful, […]
Municipal Authority and Liability During COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our world in a variety of ways we could have never imagined. Opinions on the danger of the virus and how to deal with it also vary greatly. Perhaps the primary issue in the United States, and other countries, is how to balance public health and safety against the economic […]
Businesses Face Criminal Penalties Yet Gain Protection Under Illinois Mask Rules
On August 11, 2020, Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker was successful in a second attempt to criminalize business owners who fail to enforce his mask rules. Under Illinois’ new mask rule, local police and prosecutors may impose criminal fines up to $2,500 to enforce his emergency mask order.
Employers Can Be Fined $2,500 For Failure To Enforce Mask Rules
On August 11, 2020, Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker was successful in a second attempt to criminalize business owners who fail to enforce his mask rules. Under Illinois’ new mask rule, local police and prosecutors may impose criminal fines up to $2,500 to enforce his emergency mask order.