The Experts

By SCOTT CRUZ A candidate applies for a position with your company, and after interviewing the candidate you make a conditional offer and obtain the candidate’s written consent to conduct a criminal background check. You subsequently learn that the candidate previously was convicted for a felony. In your opinion, the position offered might create an…

By JOE HARRIS Let’s talk about continuous learning. Pull up YouTube, find your favorite business influencer, and find the video they recently shared about what they read. It’s basic influencer rules, from charging money for a reading list, coming up with full on classes that a person can take online, and even webinars that pull…

By CAROLYN GREEN The key to building a business is building real connections. Some businesses use social media to showcase their perfection to the world, but the real magic happens when you engage. Alliances are forged through consistent, meaningful interaction. Relationships are not about posting—they are about showing up when people need you. Too often,…

The saying goes, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” and the same holds true for cybersecurity—your company’s security is only as strong as its most vulnerable point. Protecting your business from hackers requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach that safeguards every aspect of your digital environment. The following tips will help you…

By SCOTT CRUZ One of the most frustrating issues for employers is an employee’s unpredictable intermittent absences taken under the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), which also raises concerns about employee abuse of intermittent leave.  Intermittent FMLA leave allows employees to take time off in separate blocks due to a single qualifying reason, rather than…

By JOE HARRIS Are your client interactions mainly reactive, only happening when something breaks or they need you to fix something or provide a service? These kinds of interactions – the one-off sales or only when problems to occur – might be limiting your growth and the value you can provide. Today, there is a…

By CAROLYN GREEN I’m a bit of an introvert; I always feel awkward sharing my own life on social media. But whether you like it or not, your online presence is a key factor defining how the world sees your company and your expertise. When’s the last time you Googled yourself? Before someone decides to…

The tourism sector plays a vital role in Illinois’ economy, driving job creation, economic growth and supporting our small businesses and communities across the state. In 2023, 112.4 million visitors made $47.2 billion in tourism expenditures, generating a total economic impact of $82.6 billion for Illinois businesses and $6.6 billion in state and local tax…

Congratulations! You’ve decided to start a business — you’re about to embark on an exciting and challenging journey. Before you dive in headfirst, take time to understand how to start a business the right way and what it takes to position your startup for success. Whether your startup is creating something new in the marketplace,…

By SCOTT CRUZ Illinois employers need to be aware of recent amendments to the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (“IWPCA”) and Illinois’ Personnel Records Review Act (“PRRA”) that took effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Amendments to the IWPCA  The amendments create new obligations for Illinois “employers” regarding the production, content, and preservation of employee…