ARTICLES

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, 2025, as Pub. L. No. 119-21, permanently extends and modifies key provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) while introducing new tax benefits and limitations. The law affects individuals, seniors, children, businesses, and charitable organizations.

In commercial leases, particularly those involving retail or office spaces, tenants typically pay not only base rent but also a share of additional operating expenses. These include Common Area Maintenance (CAM) charges, property taxes, and insurance premiums. The reconciliation of these expenses is a key process.

Attorneys drafting or reviewing indemnification clauses and notice provisions in a sale or acquisition governed by Delaware law should be aware of the recent Delaware Supreme Court decision in Thompson Street Capital Partners IV L.P. v. Sonova U.S. Hearing Instruments, LLC.

Beginning July 1, Illinois residents will face a series of tax increases related to the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which takes effect from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. These increases are from the $55+B state budget that is supposed to generate $700+M of new taxes ranging from gasoline, short-term rentals, and more.

Restaurant patrons allegedly became ill from eating contaminated cilantro and filed personal injury lawsuits against two Chicago restaurants. As part of the litigation, the distributor who sold the cilantro to the restaurants, Martin Produce, Inc., filed a third-party complaint for contribution against the wholesalers.

Anyone going through a divorce in Illinois is required to complete a financial affidavit as part of the legal process. Each spouse completes their own financial affidavit, utilizing all financial records and information available to them. Follow this step-by-step guide to streamline the process and avoid costly errors.

Other than payroll costs, there is generally no other larger ongoing cost that a business pays than its commercial lease obligation. Moreover, often the term for a typical commercial lease will extend far into the life of any business. Finally, there are a multitude of ways in which a poorly drafted lease can cause a business to incur significant unforeseen costs. Accordingly, it is critical that every business devotes the necessary resources, including the use of an experienced lawyer, to negotiate a fair lease.

A recent press release by the IRS addressed the Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2024 (Oct. 1, 2023 – Sept. 30, 2024) Data Book, describing the Agency’s activities. For the first time, revenue collected exceeded 5 trillion dollars, accounting for 96% of total government revenue. The IRS’s expenditures to collect over $5 trillion were $18.2 billion for overall operations in FY 2024, with 90,516 full-time equivalent employees.

When people hear “estate planning,” they often picture wealthy individuals with sprawling mansions and complex assets. But the truth is, everyone — regardless of income, age, or family size — can benefit from having an estate plan.