The median age of a homebuyer in 1985 was 35. According to U.S. Census data, today the median age of a homebuyer is 43. The rise in buyer demand combined with a limited number of homes for sale pushed the…
Each year the President, in consultation with Congress, determines the numerical ceiling for refugee admissions. For the last few years, the United States has admitted approximately 70,000 refugees per year. Recently, President Obama directed his Administration to accept at least 10,000 Syrian…
What is a Record Expungement? When you petition to have your criminal record expunged, you are asking the court to physically destroy your record or to return the record to you, and to remove your name from any official index…
Illinois’ concealed-carry law, which took effect in 2014, is among the strictest in the nation. In-state applicants have to take a 16-hour course (eight hours for honorably discharged veterans), and pay a $150 fee to the Illinois State Police. The law…
The need for international protection of refugees originated from the problem of displaced civilians in Europe during World War II. Most refugees are displaced from their country of origin to a neighboring country, and then resettled to a third country…
Legislation allowing families to install cameras in nursing home rooms was signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner on August 21, 2015. The law, which will take effect in January, includes specifications for video, audio and still cameras in nursing home…
Beginning January 1, 2014, Illinois drivers may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway while using a hand-held cell phone. Drivers may, however, continue to use their cell phones in hands-free or voice-activated mode, which may include a headset.…
Under current law, U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants are automatically considered U.S. citizens. Although birthright citizenship is the law in the U.S. and Canada, it is rare elsewhere. Since 2004, no European country grants unconditional birthright citizenship for persons born…
Bankruptcy While Married One spouse may file for bankruptcy without the other but in most cases both spouses’ incomes are counted toward determining eligibility to pass an income test. If one spouse files for bankruptcy, the other spouse’s credit will…
A new analysis by the Census Bureau revealed that the nation's immigrant population, which includes legal and illegal immigrants, grew by 4.1 million from the second quarter of 2011 to the second quarter of 2015. This figure represents over 13%…