COVID-19 and Your Legal Rights

By: Janice Dantes

 

Through this trying time in our nation’s history, I am proud to be a Chicagoan in a city that has demonstrated that it is committed to “flattening the curve” to protect its citizens, particularly the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. I thank you all for making the sacrifice as we get through this time together. While I know that many businesses and services are closed, essential businesses and services still remain open, including my law firm. I wanted to share information about legal services that are available:

1. Emergency Services are still open. If you are the victim of a crime or need emergency health services, you can still call the police or 911 for help. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help if your health or safety is in danger.

2. Courts are Closed but may hear cases remotely. As you may or may not know, the Circuit Court of Cook County announced on April 1st, 2020 that it will extend court closures through May 17, 2020. The collar counties are likely to follow Cook County’s lead. If you have a court date scheduled during that time, it will be rescheduled. However, this does not mean that your case will not be heard. The courts still remain open for emergencies which may include orders of protection, criminal matters, and other issues that require emergency relief. Further, with e-fi ling, you can still file in your open cases if you want a motion to be heard. If you want to settle your case, the courts may hear your settlement remotely via Zoom so you can wrap up your case while it is still closed.

3. Court Orders are Still Enforceable. Because the courts are operating on a limited basis, you still have to follow your court orders. For parents with children, you still have to abide by your parenting schedule and cannot use COVID-19 as an excuse to deny the other parent parenting time. People who owe money judgments, including child support, are responsible for payments under the money judgment. If you are having difficulty making payments, be sure to file a motion to avoid a contempt judgment.

4. You can still buy or sell your home. Real estate transactions are still occurring. I just did my first remote closing last week. Again, if you are purchasing a home or selling a home, you cannot use COVID-19 as an excuse to cancel your real estate contract or cause unreasonable delays.

5. Deportation Proceedings are Still in Progress. Deportation proceedings may be postponed, but they are not cancelled. If you do not have a lawyer for pending immigration matters, I recommend you contact a lawyer to assist you.

6. Financial Relief for Businesses and Individuals. Because of the economic impact this closure has taken, individuals may be entitled to a stimulus check. For more information, check the IRS website at IRS.gov. For businesses, there are a variety of loan and grant programs that you may be eligible for. You may refer to the Small Business Administration or reach out to your business banker.

My law firm is open during this time. If you have any legal questions, please contact me at (312) 546-5077 or janice@pinaylaw. com. Thank you for reading. Until we meet again, love one another.