Resource Sessions: Legal and Resource Podcasts by Sterk Family Law Group, P.C.

In this episode, Caleb Mahalick a young entrepreneur, had the opportunity to interview Gwen Sterk to shed light on the intricacies of business ownership. Gwen shared her experience, valuable insights and advice on navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with owning a business. It's truly impressive to hear about an 11-year-old business owner like Caleb making waves with his busin...

Finding a reliable professional referral can be a daunting task, often leading to information overload and confusion. It's easy to get lost in a sea of online reviews and recommendations, making the search process overwhelming. However, connecting with trusted colleagues or friends can be a valuable way to find reputable professionals in various fields. Gwen Sterk, an Attorney, and a therapist...

Attorney Seth Matus, Partner at Fish Potter Bolaños, P.C., is back for another installment of employment-related topics. In this episode, he shares 10 tips for employers. Click to connect with Seth Matus . To connect with Sterk Family Law Group, P.C.: www.sterkfamilylaw.com or call 815-600-8950 to Empower Yourself With Options. *********** Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and e...

Guest Jason Bensten, Executive Director of the non-profit LoveMoves. Us , joins us to speak about Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). Bentsen and his wife Cheryl formed LoveMoves. Us to provide service and support for foster and adoptive families. Bentsen became interested in Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), became a practitioner and now has launched a pilot 9-week training prog...

In this installment of the employment law series, Attorney Seth Matus, Partner at Fish Potter Bolaños, P.C., speaks to Gwendolyn Sterk in detail about the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2024.  As summarized on the Illinois Department of Labor site: “The Paid Leave for All Workers Act (PLAWA) allows workers to earn up to 40 hours of leave from work each year. W...

Debbie Sardone had the idea to start the nonprofit while speaking with a prospective residential cleaning client. The woman told Debbie she wouldn’t be able to afford home cleaning as she was undergoing cancer treatment. In that instant, Debbie decided that no one undergoing cancer treatment would ever be turned away by her business. Cleaning for a Reason provides free home cleaning to patients ba...

We've had this podcast channel up for some time now but we never really took the time to tell you who Sterk Family Law Group is and why we created this series. Our firm uses what we call a holistic approach to family law and strives to provide the resources necessary to help our clients move on with dignity and integrity. Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk and Kelly Garver sat down to chat about Ster...

The concept of loan assumption has become a very popular concept right now with divorcing clients. What is a loan assumption? For many clients, this would be a great alternative to doing a refinance. In other cases, it might not make financial sense. Guest Larry LoVetere, VP of Mortgage Lending with Guaranteed Rate, is back to talk with us about loan assumptions and options for divorcees. ********...

Showcased as Sterk Family Law Group's January 2024 Non-Profit Hero, Carla Dumas joins us to speak about Foundation of Hope. Foundation of Hope's mission is to teach women, youth, and young adults foundational principles of financial literacy, management, and responsibility. To connect with Carla or Foundation of Hope, email hope@foundationofhopeinc.org or visit their Facebook page at: www....

Showcased as our December 2023 Non-Profit Hero, Mokena Miracles is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization that assists Mokena, IL families who are facing difficult challenges, like financial or medical setbacks. The Mokena Miracles program offers the opportunity to support those within the Mokena village who need help - those who may be dealing with financial or medical struggles, or fam...

Guest Tim Ozinga, Illinois State Representative for the 37th House District, serving residents in Will and Cook counties joins us to talk about some upcoming changes for Illinois employers. Increase minimum wage / (820 ILCS 105/1) Amendments to the Family Bereavement Act / (820 ILCS 154/1) One Day Rest in Seven Act / (820 ILCS 140/0.01) Employee Sick Leave Act / (820 ILCS 191/1) Tim Ozinga is the...

Guest Tim Ozinga, Illinois State Representative, joins us to discuss the Illinois Pay Transparency Act. The new Illinois Pay Transparency Act, House Bill (HB) 3129 , will go into effect in 2025 and require a business with more than 15 employees to post a salary range publicly with a job posting and any benefits. In addition to the job posting, the job opportunity must be shared internally with emp...

Guest Tim Ozinga, State Representative for the 37th House District, joins us to talk about housing in Illinois. Tim Ozinga is the State Representative for the 37th House District, serving residents in Will and Cook counties in Illinois.  To learn more: https://repozinga.org/about/ To learn more or to connect with Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. call 815-600-8950 or visit ⁠ sterkfamilylaw.com ⁠ ******...

Racing for Mental Health all started with a conversation and in this podcast conversation, Shannon Sak shares their history and mission. Showcased as Sterk Family Law Group's November 2023 Non-Profit Hero, Racing for Mental Health is committed to destigmatizing mental health and transforming the conversation around it. By being a voice and standing up to the social injustice that has been ingr...

Guest Jason Thomas joins us to discuss 3 Seeds Mentoring Group which is showcased as Sterk Family Law Group's Non-Profit Hero for October 2023.3 Seeds Mentoring Group works with kids/teens to provide a wide array of mentoring services and focuses on three areas: Character, Creativity, and Careers Their goal is to expose them to as many different hands-on experiences as possible in hopes of the...

Per legion.org, "The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued dev...

Frustration. We’ve all dealt with it and some of us, more often than others. Life happens and frustration is a normal reaction to things that happen in life like waking up late, spilled coffee, kids arguing, co-workers, or just having one of those days. However, if your frustration lingers and starts to impact your daily life, it can become over-consuming and have a snowball effect.  Guests Dr. Ca...

Located in Frankfort, IL, Camp Manitoqua and Retreat Center, a God-Centered organization, serves guests by providing a setting and programs for retreating, camping, and outdoor education. Children and young adults who attend their camp programs are offered the opportunity to grow, play, and explore through their various programming, set in a serene nature rich environment. There are summer camps,...

For decades Rosecrance has provided treatment services for adults and children dealing with substance abuse and mental health disorders. With locations throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin offer treatment for mental health and addiction treatment which includes residential treatment and co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Thank you, Matthew Quinn, Director of Chicagoland...

Aside from the dissolution of a marriage through a divorce, one of the hardest things for a person to do is to also sell their home.   The divorce itself is an emotional process but to be faced with selling your home, for most, is an additional emotional process that is hard to cope with.   While some may tell you that a house is a material object, you have spent years living in the space and have...

Lincoln-Way Community H.S. District 210 Foundation is gearing up for its annual rocking fundraiser, Summer Fest! Executive Director Bob Kennedy joins us to chat about this year's event being held on Friday, July 16th at CD&Me in Frankfort, IL. The proceeds will help fund scholarships, grant requests for educational enhancements plus library improvements made on behalf of the students &...

Since 2001, American Greyhound has been dedicated to finding homes for retired racing greyhounds, as well as other sighthounds in need.  Their volunteers welcome greyhounds and sighthounds when they have nowhere else to turn, provide the necessary veterinary care, teach them what it means to live in a home, and then find them good forever homes where they are able to live out their lives as wonder...

Medicare can be confusing and overwhelming. There are different plans and supplements, and to top off the confusion, there are tons of scams floating around out there.   Our guest, Tina Konieczki, joins us to give us a quick overview of how to try to navigate the Medicare process and how using a professional Medicare broker can ease some of the stressors.  Tina Konieczki - TK Insurance Services, I...

After years of working in the non-profit sector, Isabel Sanchez saw many people, particularly women, struggling with money and not knowing how they are going to pay their bills or support their families so she wanted to do something. Sanchez started MES Financial Coaching to provide help for women who are going through life changes with simple steps to build better money habits and ease their jour...

Showcased as our April 2023 Non-Profit Hero, for over 30 years, Little City’s foster care and adoption program has provided innovative, individualized, and community-based treatment to children and their families. Many youths referred to Little City are initially assessed as needing residential services, an intensive and restrictive congregate care placement that provides 24-hour day/7 day a week...