Illinois Expungements and Sealing

llinois Expungements and Sealing How do I clear up my criminal record?  This is a common question that clients ask before, during, and especially after being charged with a criminal offense.  The attorneys at Finegan Rinker & Ghrist know how important it is to you to clear your good name and avoid potential employers from disqualifying you…

New Methods to Detect Marijuana-Impaired DUIs

There is a growing national trend to legalize medical and recreational use of marijuana. Currently thirty-four states allow for medical marijuana and cannabis programs, while ten states permit recreational marijuana use. Illinois joined the trend when it passed the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act in 2013, making medical marijuana use legal for…

Traffic Violations that Can Threaten Your CDL

If you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), it is important to be familiar with Illinois laws concerning your CDL privileges. Illinois law imposes more severe penalties for driving violations on CDL holders than regular driver’s license holders, and your CDL can be disqualified for a variety of traffic violations.              Under the Illinois Vehicle Code,…

Misdemeanor Speeding Tickets in Illinois

Misdemeanor Speeding in the State of Illinois A traffic citation that all drivers know about is speeding.  However, what most drivers don’t know is that in the state of Illinois speeding can be either a petty or a misdemeanor offense.  While a petty offense may not require a court appearance, a misdemeanor offense does. In Illinois the…

Social Security Exempt in Bankruptcy

Many people looking at filing bankruptcy often have social security as a source of income and are scared to lose it.  While creditors like to scare people into thinking they will lose all their money if they don’t pay back a debt, social security is in fact exempt from almost all creditors, with the federal government…

The Expensive American Health Care System

Expensive health care costs are well known by any American who has had a doctor’s appointment or visited a hospital for services.  But why are the services rendered at a doctor’s office or hospital so expensive?  How much markup do doctors and hospitals place on health care products and pharmaceutical drugs?  And why do Americans…

“Social Host” Laws Gaining Traction in More States

Underage drinking laws have been around for ages to help states combat teenagers drinking before they become 21.  Now some states are adding another tool to their belt to help combat underage drinking.  A number of states, including Rhode Island and Massachusetts, have recently added laws called “social host” laws that allow states to impose…

Cell Phone Talking and Texting Laws in Illinois

Illinois recently passed new cell phone talking and texting laws.  There is some confusion surrounding the recently passed cell phone texting and talking laws in Illinois.  Are drivers allowed to talk or text while stopped at a light?  Are hands free devices required to talk while driving? The Illinois texting law prohibits a person from…

Teens Driving with Friends Increases the Chance of an Accident

Most people already know that teen drivers are the most dangerous drivers on the road and the most likely to be involved in an accident.  Statistics show that teens are nearly four times more likely to be in an accident than older drivers.  While such factors as inexperience, rash decision-making and immaturity are reasons that…