Illinois NO (Non-Qualified Option) Agreement refers to a legal contract specific to the state of Illinois that governs the terms and conditions of granting, exercising, and managing non-qualified stock options for employees or executives of a company. A non-qualified stock option is a type of stock option that does not meet the requirements necessary for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. Unlike incentive stock options (SOS), which have specific tax advantages, NOS are subject to ordinary income tax rates upon exercise. The Illinois NO Agreement outlines the key provisions involved in granting and exercising non-qualified stock options to employees. These agreements typically cover aspects such as the stock option grant date, exercise price, vesting schedule, exercise period, and any restrictions or limitations imposed on the options. There can be different types of Illinois NO Agreements based on the specific terms agreed upon between the company and the employee. Some common variations include: 1. Standard Illinois NO Agreement: This agreement entails the basic terms and conditions associated with non-qualified stock options, including the number of options granted, exercise price, vesting period, and exercise period. 2. Performance-Based Illinois NO Agreement: This type of agreement incorporates performance criteria that the employee must meet to exercise the granted stock options. The performance criteria could be related to financial goals, revenue targets, or other predetermined benchmarks. 3. Change of Control Illinois NO Agreement: This agreement is structured to address the potential changes that may occur in the ownership or structure of the company, such as mergers, acquisitions, or buyouts. It includes provisions to protect the employee's stock options in case of such events. 4. Early Exercise Illinois NO Agreement: In certain cases, employees may have the option to exercise their stock options before they fully vest. This type of agreement allows employees to exercise a portion of their options early, subject to certain conditions defined in the agreement. It is essential for both the company and the employee to carefully review and understand the Illinois NO Agreement to ensure compliance with state laws, as well as to properly manage tax implications and any potential risks involved in exercising the non-qualified stock options. Consulting with legal and tax professionals is recommended to navigate the intricacies of these agreements effectively.