Chicago Tribune reported the tragic story of an Aurora teen who recently died in a car crash. Devin Meadows, 15, died an unlucky death when the car he was in crashed into a garage. According to police, Devin was in the car with three other 15-year-olds.The driver of the car did not have a license, and the car belonged to one of the boys' fathers who, unfortunately, did not notice it was missing. Police say the driver was going too fast and he lost control. He then crashed into the garage and killed Devin, a Metea Valley High School sophomore. Devin was the only one of the passengers who …

Roller coasters are supposed to be a fun attraction for kids and why not adults as well. For the family of 3-year-old Jayson Dansby, however, an indoor roller coaster at Go Bananas was a ride that changed their lives forever. Chicago Tribune reported a story on this sad accident.Jayson's mother took him and his twin brother to the roller coaster, and she was told that she did not need to ride with her boys. The boys were locked in place by a safety restraint, but as the ride was moving, Jayson managed to escape the restraint. The three-year-old fell from the ride and was killed when the …

Good news for parents who are required to take court ordered parenting classes in Cook County – the classes are now available online. Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans and Domestic Relations Division Presiding Judge Grace G. Dickler announced the court is now offering court ordered parenting education classes online through a new interactive program, Children in Between Online (CIBO).Parents involved in custody issues are required to take the classes in order to ensure they are aware of the effects divorce and custody issues have on children and to help minimize …

Everyone has heard a number of theories about how you can tell someone is headed for a divorce. A husband getting a gym membership means that he is cheating or the wife's sudden interest in tennis is because of an instructor. Well, we are not talking about those theories today. We are going to look at a study conducted in the United Kingdom that suggests women whose marriages are about fail work more hours. Aol. did a story about the study in its money section.A study conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science suggests that for everyone 1% increase of marital …

Going through a divorce can sometimes feel like strategizing for battle. But for someone involved in an abusive relationship, it can literally come down to a battle for safety, and in extreme cases, life or death. The news is filled with countless stories of people who have been killed by their estranged spouses when they finally were able to break from the abuser. Statistics show that 70% of domestic violence injuries occur after separation.

A driver who hit a Downer’s Grove boy riding his bicycle was ordered to pay a $1500 fine and sentenced to community service. Fourteen year old Hunter Himes was crossing his bike at a crosswalk Beller Street in Darien when Timothy Hagen, 40, of Darien, was turning right onto Lemont Street, from Bellor. He struck the boy with his SUV, pinning him under the vehicle.According to reports at the time of the accident, firefighters at the scene had to extract the victim by lifting the car off his lower body with two high-pressure air bags placed under the front passenger side. Paramedics then …

On November 1st, a family from Ireland filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a hotel in downtown Chicago.  The family claims that the Irish tourist staying at the JW Marriot was infected with Legionella bacteria from the hotel.  The JW Marriot is located at 151 W. Adams St. in THE Loop.  Marriot International Inc. is the defendant in the suit, which was filled in the Cook County Circuit Court.Thomas Joseph Keane, 66, dined at the hotel on July 27th of this year.  He and his wife were there to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.  It was there that his family believes he inhaled a…

His father and grandfather were both ironworkers, so Ronald Bayer already had his career picked out.  Yet, when he was 36 years old he had an accident that changed his life.  He was working on a steel beam at a warehouse being built in DeKalb when he tumbled headfirst into the ground.  This fall was from 20 feet off of a rafter.  The Tinley Park based company Panduit, who was paying for the warehouse, was the alleged cause of this man’s accident.The lawyers who represented Bayer maintained that he tripped on some loose studs that were not properly secured.  It is also alleged that the …

When people get divorced and go through custody and visitation battles, the parents and the child are not always the only people involved. Grandparents and siblings are also a part of the child's life, but sometimes custodial parents do not want the grandparents from the non-custodial parent's side of the family to see their grandchild.In the UK, there was a story in The Telegraph about parents calling the police on grandparents for sending a card to keep in touch with their grandchildren. Fortunately, similar stories have not yet surfaced in local newspapers, even though divorce …

In March of 2011, Kim Kardashian made more news for herself by filing for divorce from her husband, NBA player Kris Humphries.  Their marriage was wildly publicized and even had a one hour special on the E channel.  But the main reason why the divorce was so talked about was because it occurred just a short 72 days after their marriage.  It was over a year ago when the papers were filed to divorce, yet the celebrity couple is still legally married.The issue is about how the couple intends to separate.  Kim Kardashian is citing irreconcilable differences and seeking a traditional divorce…

A Chicago man has been charged with running down two men with Honda Accord outside a nightclub. The two men had laughed at a woman accompanying the driver.  The hit left the two men critically injured, according to the police. The Chicago Tribune reported a story on the case.Alejandro Escobar, 37, was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder, according to a police news release. Escobar's bond was set at $800,000.The release from the Chicago Police News Affairs said that both victims were critically injured. One of the victims has been released from …

As people are starting to realize that protecting their personal property and assets with premarital agreements are not only for multimillionaires, prenups are becoming more and more common. It is not just about protecting your money or personal assets; it might very well be that there is some family property that you hold in high regard for its sentimental value, and you just want to make sure that property stays safe. Let us look at what the Illinois Uniform Premarital Agreement Act has to say about premarital agreements:By the definition given in the IUPAA, a premarital agreement is ”an …

In the month of January, there is a perfect storm of events.  It is very cold during this month as winter is in full swing.  The major holidays of December are over and most people have been thoroughly taxed by relatives and in-laws.   After January, many look towards Valentine’s Day in February as a day to celebrate love and romantic relationships.  It is somewhat interesting that through the months of January and February more people are getting divorced.There are studies that show that January is the most active month for divorce and October is the least.  Some people in legal …

According to the Chicago Tribune, there have recently been many accidents on the roads due to slick conditions. At least one resulted in a death on the road. Parts of the interstate were closed because of the weather and the conditions of the road.

While there is evidence that half of all marriage end in divorce, it is important to identify the causes of divorce and work to eliminate them.  There are a number of reasons why couples seek divorce.  There are legal grounds for divorce, such as adultery, physical incapacity, imprisonment, and drunkenness.  Another common cause is thought to be about money issues.  A study conducted by Utah State University shows that as couples fight more and more about finances that their chances to divorce raise.The overriding theme in all of these causes for divorce is communication issues.  …

There are many things that are considered in the process of divorce.  If you have kids, then certain arrangements must be made for them regarding child support, child custody and even co-parenting agreements.  There are also financial concerns in divorces like the division of assets and debts, spousal support and others.  But a little considered aspect of divorce is the effects that it has on taxes.The first effect of a divorce is tax filing status.  No longer being able to file as “married” can result in more taxes.  Yet, if you have children you may be able to file as “head of …

The holiday season has arrived. And with it comes winter weather which can cause road conditions to deteriorate, sometimes very quickly. The Illinois State Police are encouraging motorists to be extra cautious when taking to winter roads. Paying attention to weather reports, leaving extra time for travel and keeping a safe distance from the car in front are just a couple of the tips offered by Trooper Brent Massingill, Safety Education Officer for Illinois State Police District 16 in an interview with the Journal-Standard. “It is important to slow down during bad weather,” said Massingill…

A driver hit a woman and her 5-year-old son with his car in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago, hospitalizing both. The woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious-to-critical condition, and the child was taken to Lurie's Children's Hospital in a similar condition, according to Will Knight, Spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department. The Chicago Tribune reported a story on the accident.After the accident happened, the driver remained at the scene and received two citations for striking a pedestrian in the roadway, police say.According to a nail salon worker, …

On Tuesday October 23rd, a suburban teen from Aurora decided to take his father’s car without permission and go for a ride with some friends early in the morning.  The friends were three other teenage boys who went to his High School.  The night got out of control when a bit of reckless driving damaged a house and took a life.The boy in charge of the vehicle was Logan Krogman, who is a 15-year-old student at Metea Valley.  He had left the 800 block of Amli Court with his father car to pick up Devin Meadows and two other boys.  Driving around the neighborhood at high speeds, Krogman lost…