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Recent Blog Posts
Are Tenant Modifications Allowed Under Illinois Rental Laws?
Most people who rent a home or apartment do their best to make their living space reflect who they are by personalizing it through painting and/or other forms of interior decorating. But before a tenant decides to dive headlong into rental property modifications, it should be stressed that in Illinois, any modification to a rental property requires the consent of the landlord.
This consent is not simply a suggestion; rather, it is an essential component of tenant rights in Illinois. An alteration can be as significant as installing new fixtures or as minor as painting or wallpapering the entry wall. Without documented approval for alterations, a tenant can face disputes and difficulties that might have been avoided.
Civil litigation in these matters requires a tailored approach by a skilled attorney who understands landlord and tenant rights. If you are a landlord in Illinois wondering what your options are after a tenant paints every wall in the house bright purple – without asking – it is time to speak to an experienced Naperville, IL civil litigation attorney.
Illinois Criminal Charges and Civil Asset Forfeiture
Every year, Illinois law enforcement agencies take cash, vehicles, land, and other assets worth tens of millions of dollars from residents through civil asset forfeiture. Civil asset forfeiture allows the police to take property they believe was used in the commission of a crime. In the past, these items have sometimes been taken through civil asset forfeiture without bringing criminal charges – let alone convictions.
Since 2005, the state of Illinois has put more than $319 million dollars in the state coffers that came from the asset forfeitures of private citizens. If you are charged with a criminal offense that includes asset seizure, you need an experienced Naperville, IL criminal defense attorney to aggressively defend your charges. The best way to avoid civil asset forfeiture is to be found not guilty of criminal charges against you or to have the charges dropped.
Increase in Illinois Hate Crime Triggers Police Education Bill
The state of Illinois has witnessed a significant increase in hate crimes over the past couple of years, which a new Illinois bill attempts to address. While there are currently several laws on the books that address hate crimes, the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes has concluded that police officers often fail to recognize hate crimes as an element of another criminal offense.
Across the nation, hate crimes have also increased, with the FBI showing 5,479 incidences of hate crimes in 2014 and 11,862 by 2023. In Illinois, there were 109 hate crimes in 2014, but by 2023, that number had grown to 324, nearly tripling. Communities across the state may experience hate and bigotry that does not receive the justice it deserves. In part, this is because law enforcement officials lack the necessary tools to investigate and report hate crimes.
Landlord’s Rights and Responsibilities Regarding Squatters
Since housing has become so expensive and there are more and more homeless people across the United States, more landlords find themselves having to deal with the laws pertaining to adverse possession when attempting landlord eviction. Those who take advantage of adverse possession are often called "squatters." Unfortunately, it can be challenging to remove squatters from a property who may even try to meet the legal requirements to claim the property as their own.
Adverse possession laws vary considerably from state to state on both ends of the spectrum. For example, while California and Montana have the shortest occupancy periods regarding adverse possession, Arkansas, Florida, Utah, and Tennessee require seven years of occupancy, and New Jersey and Louisiana require 30 years of occupancy. If you are a landlord facing an adverse possession situation, you could benefit from speaking to an experienced Naperville, IL landlord eviction attorney.
The Differences Between State and Federal Drug Charges
Illinois is one of only 18 states that makes possession of drugs (except marijuana or ten grams or less of other drugs) a felony in most cases. This results in even relatively small amounts of drugs, resulting in serious involvement with the legal system. Despite the fact that the Illinois Controlled Substances Act states that it is not the intent to treat the unlawful user or occasional petty distributor with the same severity as large-scale drug traffickers, in practice, this is exactly what happens.
Even though Illinois drug crime laws are harsh, in many cases, federal drug laws and punishments are even harsher. An individual arrested on federal drug charges is more likely to be prosecuted and more likely to be convicted (Federal drug charges have a conviction rate of 76 percent and an incarceration rate of 55 percent). If you are facing state drug charges, you need a highly experienced Naperville, IL criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible to minimize the long-term effects.
Does An Extra High BAC in Illinois Increase Penalties for DUI?
A Chicago man accused in a fatal DUI in early December had a blood alcohol content of 0.347 when he was arrested. The man was charged with one felony count of aggravated DUI causing death. In this case, because a person died as a result of another’s impaired driving, the charges escalated.
If nobody is hurt, does an extremely high BAC increase the penalties for an Illinois DUI conviction? Whether you have been charged with a first DUI, a second, third, or subsequent DUI, or there are additional factors that can potentially increase your sentence, it is extremely important that you speak to an experienced Naperville, IL DUI lawyer as quickly as possible.
Can Landlords Deny Housing to Those with a Criminal Conviction?
Criminal background checks are now routinely used to screen job applicants, enrollees in colleges and universities, and for housing. Unfortunately, these criminal background checks can create a barrier to housing access, even when the charges are dismissed or the individual has paid the penalties for a conviction. This can make it difficult for those with a criminal history to obtain housing, which in turn contributes to increased rates of recidivism.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released "guidance" for housing providers in 2016, cautioning against illegal discrimination for those with criminal histories, revisiting the issue in 2022. Today, rising rents and stagnant wages contribute to unaffordable housing or even homelessness. Low-income individuals who also have criminal records face additional barriers, including deficits in employment and poor credit.
What Is Constructive Possession in Illinois Drug Cases?
When people think about drug possession, they usually imagine someone carrying an illegal substance in their bag or pocket. In Illinois, however, drug possession charges are not limited to cases where a drug is found on a person. Law enforcement can also arrest someone for constructive drug possession, which is a much broader form of the crime. Illinois treats any kind of illegal drug possession harshly with heavy fines and lengthy prison terms. If you or someone you know is facing drug possession charges, reach out to an Illinois criminal defense attorney who will investigate your case and start building your defense.
What Is Constructive Drug Possession?
There are two types of drug possession: actual and constructive. Actual possession means you have exclusive and immediate control over the drug, like carrying it in your pocket. Constructive possession, on the other hand, means you do not have actual possession of the drug but you have control over it and intend to use it.
Can I Evict a Tenant for Disorderly Conduct in Illinois?
A comfortable and peaceful environment is essential to managing a residential property. A pleasant environment attracts tenants, helps keep them satisfied with the living space, and maintains harmony with neighbors. When a tenant disturbs the peace, however, it can ruin the environment for others, cause complaints, and even result in other tenants abandoning their leases.
If you want to evict a tenant for disorderly conduct, it is important to first understand what that means and what legal steps you need to follow. Speak with an Illinois civil litigation attorney to learn your legal options and how to proceed with an eviction.
What Is Disorderly Conduct?
Disorderly conduct, also known as disturbing the peace, is a criminal offense in Illinois. When evicting a tenant for unruly behavior, check with your attorney if it falls under the category of disorderly conduct. Evicting someone for criminal activity can help keep the law on your side.
DuPage County Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Drug Possession
Recently, a 41-year-old DuPage County man pled guilty to Class X felony drug possession of methamphetamine, between 100 and 400 grams. The man was a passenger in a car that was pulled over during a traffic stop. During the traffic stop, police searched the vehicle and found a suitcase with 226 grams of methamphetamine and 16 grams of cocaine. Due to the volume of methamphetamine and the fact that the cocaine was in three separate packages, the man was initially charged with drug trafficking.
Trafficking charges were dropped during a plea agreement, and the sentence was eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for drug possession. Drug possession can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the volume of drugs in the possession of the defendant. Large volumes of drugs may trigger trafficking charges as well. If you have been charged with drug possession or drug trafficking, it is beneficial to speak to an experienced Naperville, IL, criminal defense lawyer from Appelman Law LLC.
From our office in Naperville, Illinois, we serve clients throughout DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, Cook County, and Will County, including Wheaton, Aurora, Downers Grove, Lisle, Aurora, Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Yorkville, Ottawa, and Plainfield.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
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