How does Illinois law treat non-compete agreements?

In Illinois, non-compete agreements are treated as enforceable under certain conditions that ensure they are reasonable in scope and duration, as well as necessary to protect legitimate business interests. These agreements must strike a proper balance between the employer's interests in protecting their business and the employee's right to work and earn a living.

For a non-compete agreement to be upheld in Illinois, it typically must meet criteria such as:

1. Reasonableness in scope and duration: The restrictions imposed should not be overly broad or last indefinitely. There is an expectation that the limitations should be tailored to serve a justified business purpose.

2. Legitimate business interests: The employer must demonstrate that the non-compete is vital for protecting things like trade secrets, customer relationships, or specialized training that the employee received.

3. Consideration: There should be adequate consideration provided to the employee when entering into the agreement, particularly if it is signed after employment has begun.

In this context, the other choices reflect misunderstandings of how non-compete agreements operate under Illinois law. They are not considered uniformly unenforceable, nor do they require a judge's approval outright. Additionally, they are not limited strictly to high-salary positions; reasonable non