Business & Work resources

Explains the basics of overtime and minimum wage laws.

Guide

Starting a case to get back unpaid wages

Explains the steps to file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Labor, including how to calculate your unpaid wages if you were underpaid.

How-To

Do you get paid for unused vacation time when you leave a job?

Learn when employers have to pay you for any unused vacation time if you leave your job.

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What are my rights with my work schedule in Chicago?

Learn about work schedule rights under Chicago's Fair Workweek Ordinance, including who’s covered and what protections they get.

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Getting time off work

Do you get paid for unused vacation time when you leave a job?

Learn when employers have to pay you for any unused vacation time if you leave your job.

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What are my rights with my work schedule in Chicago?

Learn about work schedule rights under Chicago's Fair Workweek Ordinance, including who’s covered and what protections they get.

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What Illinois laws take effect on January 1, 2026?

Learn more about new Illinois laws passed in 2025, including those going into effect on January 1, 2026.

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What Illinois laws take effect on January 1, 2025?

Details new Illinois laws passed in 2024 that go into effect on January 1, 2025.

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Being fired unfairly

Can I get severance pay and unemployment benefits?

Illinois considers severance pay as money you get for work you did during the time you were employed. Since your severance pay is not considered income, it will not usually affect your unemployment benefits.

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If I am laid off or fired, what are my rights?

Describes the rights of employees who are laid off or fired.

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I was fired for misconduct in an unemployment benefits case

Explains how your employer must prove that you were fired for misconduct in order to not grant you benefits.

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Receiving a negative job reference

Information about how to deal with a negative job reference and improve your chances of getting a job.

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Working as a child

Learn about when children can start working, work permits, and the restrictions on the hours and types of work children can do.

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Filing a workplace discrimination claim with the IDHR

Steps to file a complaint with Illinois Department of Human Rights from when to file and how long the process takes.

How-To

Protections for child influencers

Starting 7/1/2024, a minor under 16 who is featured in a family member's online content that makes money is entitled to records of how much money the family member makes off the content and a portion of the compensation.

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Workers with health or disability issues

Protecting workers with disabilities

Learn about your rights as a worker with a disability, including protections against discrimination and how to ask for reasonable accommodations.

Guide

Disabilities recognized under the ADA

Explains what kind of impairments count as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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Confidentiality for mental and developmental disabilities

Information about privacy and protection under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act.

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Working while getting SSDI

Explains that if you work while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, you must report your earned income.

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Unemployment benefits

Getting unemployment benefits

Explains when to apply for unemployment benefits and how much you can get.

Guide

Being denied unemployment insurance

Explains how to appeal an unemployment benefits decision from the appeal hearing and what evidence you need.

Guide

Getting unemployment benefits if I was fired

Explains why you cannot receive benefits if you were fired for misconduct, and what is considered misconduct.

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If I quit my job, can I get unemployment benefits?

Explains that you can get unemployment jobs if you left for a "good cause" and defines what is a good cause.

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Farm worker issues

Rights of migrant farm workers and day laborers

Information on rights of people working on farms, including safety, transportation, health, food, taxes, and pay.

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Getting vacation time, severance pay, or sick pay

You are not entitled to vacation time, severance pay, or sick pay unless you have a contract with your employer. The Paid Leave for All Workers Act provides paid leave that can be used for any reason.

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My rights as a domestic worker

Learn about what a domestic worker is, and what their rights are for minimum wage, workers' compensation, getting paid for travel and overtime, and taking breaks.

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Does my employer have to pay me minimum wage?

Learn about federal and state minimum wage laws.

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Discrimination of an employee

Reporting discrimination at work

Learn what is considered workplace discrimination and how to report discrimination.

Guide

Where to report workplace discrimination

Learn where you can report workplace discrimination, who conducts investigations, and what types of cases they review.

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Filing an employment discrimination complaint with the EEOC

Learn about the steps to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, from writing the complaint to appealing.

How-To

Filing a workplace discrimination claim with the IDHR

Steps to file a complaint with Illinois Department of Human Rights from when to file and how long the process takes.

How-To

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A work-related injury

Understanding workers' compensation benefits

Learn about what injuries are covered and what benefits employees can receive if they are injured while on the job.

Guide

Filing a workers' compensation claim

Learn the steps to file an Adjustment of Claim, from the time limits to status calls with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.

How-To

What does workers' compensation pay for?

Learn about the types of medical care that workers' compensation covers, disability benefits, and death benefits.

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What if my employer is not paying my workers' compensation benefits?

Learn who pays for your workers' compensation and what to do if your employer will not pay your benefits.

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Discrimination of a customer by a business

Bathroom access in Illinois

Learn about the right to access public bathrooms in Illinois, including Chicago and Cook County.

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Service animal information for people and businesses

Learn about service animal protections for people with disabilities and what laws business owners must follow with service animals.

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Reporting discrimination in public spaces

Explains the steps to file a Public Accommodations Complaint, from what information to include to the investigation process.

How-To

Discrimination in public spaces

Explains your right to be free from discrimination in public spaces.

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Military service, active duty, and veterans issues

Veterans benefits and resources

Explains benefits and resources offered by federal, state, and county governments for veterans, their dependents, and their survivors. Also links to resources about taking time off of work for military service.

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Being away from work for military service

Info on the laws that help members of the uniformed services keep their civilian jobs.

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Nonprofit management

Nonprofit basics

Learn what a nonprofit organization is and the difference between a nonprofit and a for-profit business.

Guide

Applying for tax-exempt status for a nonprofit

Learn how to apply for tax-exempt status as a nonprofit, including key forms and state-specific exemptions.

How-To

Starting a nonprofit organization

Learn how to start a nonprofit organization, from creating the board of directors to writing bylaws.

How-To

Board of directors for a nonprofit organization

Learn about the responsibilities of a nonprofit board of directors and how they make decisions for the organization.

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Small business management

Starting a small business

Explains taxes as the sole proprietor of a business or filing a business partnership.

Guide

Starting a limited liability company (LLC)

Steps to becoming an LLC, from filing Articles of Incorporation to laws that you must follow.

How-To

Starting a corporation

Steps to incorporate your business from filing Articles of Incorporation to becoming an S corporation.

How-To

What are my rights with my work schedule in Chicago?

Learn about work schedule rights under Chicago's Fair Workweek Ordinance, including who’s covered and what protections they get.

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Copyrights, patents or other intellectual property

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Getting a job

Getting a job in health care after a conviction

Discusses health care waivers, which can remove barriers to employment for people with criminal convictions.

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Receiving a negative job reference

Information about how to deal with a negative job reference and improve your chances of getting a job.

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5 types of background checks when applying for a job

Learn about the different types of background checks employers can use and what they do with the information.

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Can they check my credit report when I apply for a job?

Covers federal and Illinois law about what employers can and cannot do when you apply for a job.

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Other business and work issues

Non-compete and non-solicitation agreements

Learn when your employer can limit where you work next or who you can try to do business with after leaving.

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Can my employer fire me for being sick?

A blog to help you determine whether your employer may fire you because you are sick or taking care of a sick family member.

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How do I get a license to do child care in my home?

Outlines the requirements and process to apply for a license to do child care in your home.

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When do I need a license to do child care in my home?

Explains child care or day care licensing in Illinois based on the number of children you are taking care of.

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Business & Work

Business & Work