Illinois contract law is an exchange of promises that is enforceable by law. Illinois contract law education and training includes a broad range of issues, such as the sale of property, the terms of employment or the settlement of a dispute.

Contract law in Illinois state allows both written and oral contracts. A written contract may be required when making a large purchase such as a car or house, while a smaller purchase like a book may be considered an oral contract. A contract typically requires the following three elements in order to be enforceable:

1. Mutual consent. The contract laws in Illinois requires that the parties agree on what the contract covers.
2. Mutual consideration. The parties must exchange something of value. A contract may not be enforceable if a party is already obligated to provide the consideration or if the consideration is essentially worthless.
3. Offer and acceptance. The contract contains an offer from one party that is accepted by the other party. A counter-offer is not an acceptance and is typically considered to be a rejection of the offer.
   

Action Steps
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Attend a law school that specializes in Illinois state contract laws

There are a variety of universities in Illinois that provide a concentration in commercial law or business law, which typically includes coursework on Illinois contract law.

I recommend: The Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution program at the Chicago-Kent College of Law provides a concentration in contract law. The University of Chicago Law School offers law clinics that emphasize contract law, such as the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship.

Obtain Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for a contract attorney in Illinois

Illinois requires attorneys to stay current on changes in the law through CLE courses. There are a variety of education and training programs in Illinois that provide CLE credit in contract law.

I recommend: The Illinois State Bar Association provides a schedule of upcoming classes on contract law that offer CLE credit in Illinois, such as Advanced Practice Issues for Employment Lawyers. Apex CLE is a provider of CLE seminars in Illinois, including those on contract law.

Learn through professional training opportunities for a contract lawyer in Illinois

Conferences, seminars and workshops are excellent methods for Illinois contract lawyers to improve their knowledge of the law. This training is typically provided by professional associations, law firms or dedicated providers of legal training.

I recommend: The Chicago Bar Association provides CLE seminars on a variety of topics throughout the year, including contract law. The DuPage County Bar Association holds seminars and other meetings on many legal topics like contract law.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  An IL contract attorney should join professional organizations that are dedicated to the practice of state of Illinois contract law. These associations provide a number of resources essential for the practicing contract law attorney, including contact information for important courts, assistance with meeting CLE requirements and links to the recent contract law rulings.

Contract law in Illinois helps protect business owners entering into agreements with suppliers and contractors. Contract law in Illinois helps keep boundaries between companies clear and working relationships positive.

A contract attorney in Illinois makes it his business to protect yours. Having the right contract law attorney in Illinois keeps business owners aware of their rights and responsibilities. Without a contract law attorney in Illinois, the terms of your agreement may not be as clear as you need them to be.

Contract law in Illinois allows businesses to agree on terms beneficial to both. With the right contract law in Illinois, businesses grow in both size and profitability. Quality contract law in Illinois helps reduce the need to go to court when clearly written. IL Contract law will:

1. Protect business owners from law suits between parties according to Illinois state contract laws.

2. Provide clear guidelines between businesses and their contractors.

3. Help business owners maintain good relationships between themselves and their contractors.

4. Eliminate the need for court appearances and costly law suits related to Illinois contract law issues.

Action Steps
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Work with an experienced contract lawyer in Illinois

Not all attorneys specialize in contract law. Finding an IL contract attorney who knows contract law well is the first step to getting quality contracts.

I recommend: Sugar, Friedberg & Felsenthal LLP and Adamski & Conti, both of Chicago, provide expert service in all areas of corporate law, including contracts.

Understand how the independent contractor relationship works under Illinois contract law

More and more large companies enlist the services of independent contractors during times when business is heavy. Even independent contractors need the services of a quality legal team. Large companies who provide contractor services have the right legal team behind them to make sure you're getting what you pay for.

I recommend: The IRS website provides working definitions of what constitutes a contractor relationship for federal tax purposes. Nolo is a legal resource that further explains the difference between employees and independent contractors and their relationship under state contract laws.

Get a working knowledge of state of Illinois contract law before entering into service contracts

It pays to have a basic understanding of some of your rights under Illinois state contract law before visiting your contract law attorney. Good information helps you ask the right questions and understand some of the terms the attorney might use.

I recommend: FindLaw provides some basic information about contract law for the business owner or independent contractor. Lawyers.com offers message boards so you can obtain feedback almost instantaneously.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Stay away from pre printed contracts you might find on the Internet. Contract laws in Illinois are highly specialized. Having qualified legal counsel is priceless when entering into any contract.
• •  Don't ever sign a contract until you completely understand the terms of the agreement. Contracts are legally binding and difficult to break once signed.