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Illinois Business Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Can I offer a tax write-off form for my book drive customers when specific purchases go directly to charity?

I'm an author and have set up a book drive to benefit two specific, well-known charities. People can purchase the books at a discount from me, and then I will either ship or drive the books to the donation drop-off point. The buyers do not receive any physical items: they are purchasing for... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

Regarding your questions about offering tax write-offs for your book drive:

1. Offering a tax write-off form to customers:

- As an individual author, you cannot directly offer tax write-off forms to your customers. Only qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations can provide donors...
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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Business Law, Civil Litigation and Collections for Illinois on
Q: Good morning. What is the penalty for breach of contract?

Our group sold a home health agency to another group. Our contract stated the price and monthly payment schedules. The other group has paid us a downpayment but has since missed monthly payments for over a year now. The other group is insisting that we lower the price from what was agreed upon.... View More

Bryan R. Bagdady
Bryan R. Bagdady
answered on Jan 8, 2024

In Illinois there is no penalty for breaching a contract. In fact, Illinois law expressly allows a party to breach a contract. However, once a party breaches, it is obligated to make the other side whole. Meaning that the benefit of the contract must still be given to the non-breaching party.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Is it legal for store credit to be issued to a customer for free without a purchase or return being made?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 20, 2023

In Illinois, it is generally legal for a store to issue store credit to a customer without requiring a purchase or return. Stores may offer store credit as part of promotions, loyalty programs, or goodwill gestures. However, the specific terms and conditions regarding the issuance of store credit... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Illinois on
Q: My current wife and I started a business 13 years ago and it grew real well. Now I have no control over anything

About 1 year ago couple things happened and I made a bad panic decision. I own up to it and this year I kick but trying to reverse the damages. In doing so we or should insaybi was told that if I sign 51% of the business over to her we would get a big tax break cause she would be a minority... View More

Demitrus Thomas Evans
Demitrus Thomas Evans
answered on Dec 5, 2023

This is really concerning. Normally, the business accounts should be separate from your personal accounts. So it would be great to clarify with you how many accounts they are and why there are so many for the business.

If your name is associated with the accounts for the business then you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Business Law and International Law for Illinois on
Q: What's the best way to hire a non resident independent contractor working from Costa Rica, Ecuador or Colombia

My husband and I are independent contractors ourselves working in Chicago app b week developers (we both have green cards) and started hiring independent contractors to help with some projects(a little over $2k/year). There are a couple of projects that are coming and will make us have a lot of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 19, 2023

Hiring a non-resident independent contractor from countries like Costa Rica, Ecuador, or Colombia involves understanding both U.S. tax implications and the legalities of international contract work. When hiring international contractors, one key form is the W-8BEN, which is used by foreign... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Illinois on
Q: My husband has an LLC and I have 2 LLCs. We want them under one roof. Should we put them under one corporation?

It just feels right that way.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 8, 2023

Combining multiple LLCs under one corporation can offer streamlined management and potential tax benefits, but it also carries risks, such as shared liability among the businesses. Before deciding, it’s wise to consider the distinct nature of each business, the potential for liability exposure,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law, Business Formation and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: I am in h1b and my Wife is on h4 ead , we would like to start a business. I would like to know if we can establish a LLC

Is it legal and from immigration and tax perspective what are things we need to make sure that we are compliant with law.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 18, 2023

Being on an H1B visa, you can establish or invest in an LLC; however, you cannot actively manage or work for the business without proper work authorization specific to that role. Your wife, on an H4 EAD, can legally work for and manage the LLC since she possesses employment authorization. Ensure... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law, Business Formation and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: I am in h1b and my Wife is on h4 ead , we would like to start a business. I would like to know if we can establish a LLC

Is it legal and from immigration and tax perspective what are things we need to make sure that we are compliant with law.

T. J. Jesky
T. J. Jesky
answered on Oct 15, 2023

Yes, you can start a LLC in your particular State. The two are not related. In fact, if you lived and were a resident of a foreign country, you can open an LLC in the U.S. You would list yourself and your foregin address, but you would need a resident agent in the State where the LLC is opened.

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3 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property), Business Law and Intellectual Property for Illinois on
Q: Can I resell a product purchased from China that may infringe on a Patent in the US?

I purchased a product from China that is similar to a patented product. I would like to know if I can sell this product legally in the US or not. The product I purchased I currently have in my inventory, and does not make an attempt to be a knock-off or counterfeit to the product that has the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 15, 2023

Selling a product in the U.S. that infringes on an existing U.S. patent can expose you to legal liability, even if the product was legally purchased and imported from another country. The key question is whether the product you imported actually infringes on the patent in question. The fact that... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property), Business Law and Intellectual Property for Illinois on
Q: Can I resell a product purchased from China that may infringe on a Patent in the US?

I purchased a product from China that is similar to a patented product. I would like to know if I can sell this product legally in the US or not. The product I purchased I currently have in my inventory, and does not make an attempt to be a knock-off or counterfeit to the product that has the... View More

Jason C Palmer
Jason C Palmer
answered on Oct 18, 2023

A patent gives its owner the right to exclude others from making, using, or selling the patented invention. Therefore, if you obtained your product from someone other than an owner or licensee of the patent, you cannot legally sell the product without infringing the patent. This assumes that the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property), Business Law and Intellectual Property for Illinois on
Q: Can I resell a product purchased from China that may infringe on a Patent in the US?

I purchased a product from China that is similar to a patented product. I would like to know if I can sell this product legally in the US or not. The product I purchased I currently have in my inventory, and does not make an attempt to be a knock-off or counterfeit to the product that has the... View More

Adam W. Bell
Adam W. Bell
answered on Oct 18, 2023

Good question.

The product that is "similar to a patented product" does not necessarily infringe on the ISSUED CLAIMS of the patent. First, compare the product and the claims side-by-side. Read each claim element (limitation) and try to identify it in the product. If your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Generating leads and pass them on to local contractors to perform work, who'd be liable for work quality or dispute?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 26, 2023

In Illinois, liability for work quality or disputes could depend on the contractual arrangement between you, the local contractors, and the clients. Generally, the contractors would be responsible for the quality of the work they perform. However, you might also be exposed to some liability,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Civil Litigation and Contracts for Illinois on
Q: How do I get my money back from someone who tricked me into investing into his businesses. How can I sue?

I was told that I was a partner and would start seeing a return on the investment and was manipulated into giving money. I need to know my options as far as if I can recover some of my money back or if there's any alternatives that would allow me to get out of this business venture.

Gary S. Weiss
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answered on Aug 3, 2023

The facts you stated may give rise to a cause of action for common law fraud and statutory fraud, pursuant to the Illinois Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act. You may be entitled to obtain an award of your actual damages and for the attorney's fees and costs you incur.

You may also...
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2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Contracts and Employment Law for Illinois on
Q: Employee Non-Competition and Confidential Information Agreement" enforcement.

Back in 2002, I signed a "Employee Non-Competition and Confidential Information Agreement" with my employer, which is a tire dealer. In 2004 I resigned from this company and worked for a another company about 25 miles away from my previous employer that I resigned from. It was also a tire... View More

T. J. Jesky
T. J. Jesky
answered on Apr 16, 2023

Short answer: No. An employer cannot unreasonably stop you from making a living. Generally, if you sign a Employee Non-Competition and Confidential Information Agreement, it is valid for no more than two years. I have yet to hear of any Court enforcing such a document if it states in the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Contracts and Employment Law for Illinois on
Q: Employee Non-Competition and Confidential Information Agreement" enforcement.

Back in 2002, I signed a "Employee Non-Competition and Confidential Information Agreement" with my employer, which is a tire dealer. In 2004 I resigned from this company and worked for a another company about 25 miles away from my previous employer that I resigned from. It was also a tire... View More

Eva Zelson
Eva Zelson
answered on Apr 19, 2023

To answer with 100% certainty, an employment lawyer would need to review the terms of the original agreement. However, most non-competitive agreements are valid for a two year period. Given that the document is now more than twenty years old, it is likely unenforceable. Again, for absolute... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Banking, Business Formation and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Is there anything you can do if the lender applies the payment to the principal but does not bring down the balance?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2023

If you believe that your lender has incorrectly applied a payment to the principal without properly bringing down the balance, you should contact your lender directly to discuss the issue and request an explanation. It is possible that there may have been a mistake or a misunderstanding that can be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Business Law and Constitutional Law for Illinois on
Q: I'm a condominium owner in Chicago, IL. I want to publish an association newsletter; am I entitled to association list?

I have published newsletters previously, The previous management company's provided the mailing list. The current management company will not. Am I entitled as a owner, to the home-owner mailing list for that particular purpose?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2023

The answer to this question will depend on the specific rules and regulations of your condominium association. Typically, condominium associations are governed by bylaws and regulations that outline how the association operates, including how information is shared and distributed to unit owners.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Business Law, Trademark and Intellectual Property for Illinois on
Q: I want to own a fashion online brand. Is there any Iegal requirements I need to take ?

A reputable online fashion brand

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2023

Yes, there are legal requirements that you need to consider when starting an online fashion brand. Here are a few important steps to take:

Choose a business structure: You will need to decide on a legal business structure for your brand, such as a sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation....
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Is it legal for my business landlord to ask for financials 3 years into a lease?

Lease and rent are current and up to date.

Demitrus Thomas Evans
Demitrus Thomas Evans
answered on Jan 23, 2023

This seemingly is a landlord-tenant issue. However, as a practical matter for business, if you have already signed a lease and been in it for 3 years, this appears to be out of their right to request.

However, I can see it making sense in two scenarios: if you have fallen behind and there...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: If you already have an LLC and you create a new unique product - is it better to set up a new LLC to separate it?

I am wondering about legal protection and how it works with legal issues. If an issue surfaces and you have multiple LLCs do they all get called into court since your name as a member is on all of them - is there really any more legal protection with a LLC vs ones that already exist?

Demitrus Thomas Evans
Demitrus Thomas Evans
answered on Dec 23, 2022

No, the LLCs are separate, if you have kept them separate with different bank accounts, addresses, etc.

If your new product can be protected because of its new process (it does something that no other product does) perhaps your protection is not from the type of structure but in...
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