Day: September 13, 2023

Understanding the Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse in IllinoisUnderstanding the Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse in Illinois

September 13, 2023| Annette| 0 Comment| 12:00 am

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a deeply distressing issue that has long-lasting consequences for survivors. In Illinois, as in many other states, the legal system plays a crucial role in addressing CSA cases. One of the key aspects of this legal process is the statute of limitations (SOL), which determines the timeframe within which survivors can bring a civil lawsuit against their abusers. Understanding the SOL is vital for both survivors and legal professionals. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse in Illinois, with a focus on recent changes and relevant legal provisions.

Child sex abuse attorney Ervin Nevitt made the following comment, “As a child sex abuse attorney, I am heartened by these developments and will continue to advocate for survivors, ensuring they have the legal tools necessary to seek justice and closure.”

Changes in Age Cap

The age cap is a critical factor in determining when a survivor can bring a civil lawsuit against their abuser. Prior to 2002, the SOL in Illinois allowed survivors to file claims until they reached the age of 20, which was calculated as the age of majority (18) plus an additional two years. However, the law has evolved significantly since then.

In 2003, Illinois extended the SOL to age 28, providing survivors with an additional ten years to file claims beyond the age of majority. This extension recognized the complex and often traumatic nature of CSA cases, where survivors may require more time to come forward.

Subsequently, in 2010, the state further extended the SOL to age 38, giving survivors an additional 20 years beyond the age of majority to file claims. This change was a significant step in ensuring that survivors had ample time to seek legal recourse against their abusers.

The Elimination of the Civil SOL

One of the most notable developments in Illinois’ legal landscape occurred in 2014 when the state eliminated the civil SOL for CSA claims against any defendants. This change was a major victory for survivors and advocates, as it removed any time constraints on seeking civil justice for child sexual abuse. As a result, survivors can now file civil lawsuits against their abusers at any point in their lives.

Revival Law

Revival laws are mechanisms that allow survivors to bring forward claims that were previously barred by the SOL. In Illinois, there is currently no revival law in place for child sexual abuse cases. While there was a previous SOL revival law, it was found unconstitutional in 2009. This means that survivors cannot revive claims that were time-barred before the elimination of the civil SOL in 2014.

Discovery Tolling

Discovery tolling is a legal principle that recognizes the unique challenges survivors of child sexual abuse may face in coming forward with their claims. In Illinois, both common law and statutory discovery rules have been established to address this issue.

Common Law Discovery Rule: In 1988, Illinois recognized the common law discovery rule, which allowed the tolling of the 2-year SOL for survivors who repressed memories of the abuse and later remembered them. This acknowledgment was a significant step in providing survivors with a pathway to seek justice.

Statutory Discovery Rule: In 1991, the Illinois legislature codified the common law discovery rule with a statute. Initially, this statute had an upper limit of age 30 for survivors to file claims. However, in 1994, this upper limit was removed, and survivors of child sexual abuse were no longer restricted by age when pursuing claims. Subsequent extensions to the statutory discovery rule in 2003 and 2010 further expanded the time frame, making it more accessible for survivors.

Conclusion

Understanding the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse in Illinois is essential for survivors, legal professionals, and advocates. The recent elimination of the civil SOL in 2014 marked a significant milestone in ensuring that survivors have the opportunity to seek justice at their own pace. Additionally, the presence of discovery tolling mechanisms, both through common law and statute, recognizes the unique challenges survivors may face in coming forward with their claims.

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial to stay informed about these changes, ensuring that survivors of child sexual abuse have the support and legal avenues they need to seek justice and healing.

Map of Illinois

How to Select a Sales Training CourseHow to Select a Sales Training Course

September 13, 2023| Annette| 0 Comment| 12:00 am

How to Select a Sales Training Course

A sales training course can be a great way to give your salespeople new skills and help them improve their performance. However,it’s important to ensure that the courses you select are the right ones for your salespeople and that the training is delivered in a way that will maximize its impact.

A good sales training course will cover multiple aspects of the selling process. These include gaining customer rapport,preparing for a sales conversation,building a compelling value proposition,closing a sale,and so on. It will also teach salespeople how to handle buyer objections,and it will provide them with the confidence they need to make phone or face-to-face sales calls.

The best sales training courses will also include sales communication and productivity training. These types of lessons will teach your salespeople how to manage their time better,create and deliver powerful pitches,and connect with more prospects. They will also learn how to overcome customer challenges like budget constraints,purchasing authority resistance,and the need for a clear ROI.

Another aspect of a good sales training course is emphasizing the importance of genuine empathy for customers. This will allow your salespeople to truly understand the customer’s needs and wants at every stage of the sales pipeline.

Salespeople who are well-trained can convert more sales leads into customers,resulting in higher revenue. They will also require less management assistance,allowing managers to focus on other business-critical initiatives. They can also develop more productive relationships with their customers,resulting in better customer retention and referrals.

When selecting a sales training course,it’s important to look for one that provides both formal and informal learning opportunities. Formal training is typically instructor-led and takes place either in the classroom or online. It can focus on specific topics,such as overcoming buyer objections or using a CRM software platform. It can also emphasize the most effective seller behaviors,which can lead to more deals closed and shorter sales cycles.

In addition to formal training,many sellers need supplemental methods for reinforcement. These can include sales coaching,role-playing,and eLearning modules. They can also involve peer mentoring,a great way for experienced salespeople to mentor newcomers.

A well-designed sales training program will offer bite-sized lessons,multiple modalities (blended learning),and ongoing reinforcement. It should also be designed with an eye toward identifying and targeting the most impactful leading and lagging sales metrics and KPIs.

For the best results,your salespeople should attend each class fully engaged. This means that they should take detailed notes,participate in the discussions,and exert proven learning behaviors. They should also come to class prepared and free of distractions so that they can get the most out of each lesson. Additionally,it’s critical to encourage your team members to quickly apply what they’ve learned to their day-to-day sales conversations. This is the best way to reinforce training and help it stick.