Sacks, Goreczny, Maslanka & Costello. P.C.

03/10/2026

GIVE THAT BABY $50.00!

Illinois has a program that will deposit $50.00 into an account for your child, to start saving for college. The Illinois First Steps program applies to children born or adopted on or after Jan. 1, 2023. Free money! Isn't that a change! Get info at

Utilize the Bright Start 529 plan for college savings. Pay for tuition, supplies, room and board. Enjoy low fee investments plus state & federal tax benefits.

02/16/2026

WHEN THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S ...

That phrase, as completed, is "When there's a will, there's a way." Bringing it into a legal forum would possibly and helpfully allow it to be reworded as "When there's a Last Will, there's a way to protect its usefulness and intent." What that means in its basic sense is that one should make sure that someone KNOWS where the Last Will can be found. If one is done and no one can find it, the Illinois law presumes it were revoked and canceled. Why go through all the time, effort, and expense of preparing a Last Will and then hiding it so it cannot easily be found? Without a Last Will, the testator's heirs may be the recipients of the testator's probate estate. With a Last Will, the testator can make all the heirs, some of the heirs, or none of the heirs, the recipients of the testator's estate. So, advise your parents or your children to let SOMEONE know that there is a Last Will and where it can be found. No one has to declare what it says, but telling someone it exists and its location, will reduce the risk of the wrong people receiving the testator's wealth!

01/31/2026

ARE YOU AN ILLINOIS LANDLORD?
Based on a new 2026 law, you MUST attach a Safe Home Act disclosure to all new and renewal residential leases. Certain requirements apply. Fines for not complying! Also, based on where the apartment is located in Illinois, other disclosures are also a MUST! Like radon gas, mold, lead-based paint, bedbugs, etc. CAVEAT LANDLORD.

01/05/2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Many new laws went into effect in Illinois in 2026. If you are an employer, you have a lot more to do for your employees. If you are a landlord, you MUST attach a new notice to all residential leases starting 1 1 2026!

10/10/2025

SGMCPC'S Mike Maslanka helping the Lions Club collect today on their Candy Day!
Definitely a good cause!

08/02/2025

MAIN OFFICE IN PALOS HEIGHTS, WITH SATELLITE OFFICES IN OAK LAWN AND DOWNTOWN CHICAGO. PLUS, HOME VISITS FOR SENIORS OR DISABLED CLIENTS.

08/02/2025

ARE THE FOLKS LOSING TESTAMENTARY CAPACITY?

Is mom's or dad's mental acuity slipping? If it slips too much they may no longer have sufficient capacity to execute a last will and testament in Illinois. Also, they may have lost capacity to execute other estate planning documents such as trusts, powers of attorney, etc. So, before they start "slipping", or even if "slipping" has just started, urge them to consider preparing their estate plan now...before any slipping goes too far. If they reasonably understand what property they have, who their family members (heirs) are, and who they want to receive their property (or powers/authorizations), and that they are creating a plan, then adequate capacity exists. If any cognitive decline has lead to the production of any delusions, or if any undue influence or duress is present, the capacity may be lacking. When capacity no longer is present, and no estate planning documents are in place, seeking guardianship in court is the option.

08/05/2024

ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR
On July 31, 2024, SGMCPC's Mike Maslanka gave an estate planning seminar at the Tinley Park library. A recording of the seminar may be accessed on the library's Virtual Event Recordings page.

06/26/2024

NEWS FROM SGMCPC
We are saddened by the passing last year of our founder, Marvin Sacks. We wish all the best to Robert Costello on his retirement. Michael Maslanka and Susan Goreczny have relocated the firm's main office to 12760 S. Harlem, Suite 4, Palos Heights, IL. (We maintain satellite offices in Oak Lawn and downtown Chicago).

01/13/2022

DO YOU HAVE A NANNY IN CHICAGO?
Did you know? If you have a nanny or cleaner or worker in Chicago, who cares for an elderly person, you MUST provide the domestic worker with a written employment contract. This is pursuant to new law effective in 2022 by City of Chicago ordinance.

12/28/2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR! AND......MANY NEW LAWS IN 2022!

Springfield was very busy in 2021! Almost 300 new laws go into effect in Illinois in 2022! check out this site to read summaries: