Legal News & Updates
We monitor legal developments to provide timely, insightful guidance, keeping our clients informed of the latest changes in laws, regulations, and industry trends. Our team stays engaged in the evolution of the law, enabling us to proactively address emerging issues and offer strategic counsel for both current and future challenges.
Latest Updates & News
Gov. Pritzker Renews His Call to Ban Cell Phones in Illinois Classrooms
During his annual State of the State address, Governor Pritzker renewed his call to ban cell phone use during school hours, stating, “It’s time to get cell phones out of the classroom.” The Governor’s office cited research showing that “72% of high school teachers identified cell phone distraction as a ‘major problem’ in their classroom.”
ISSRA, Not FOIA: Clarifying Parents’ Avenue to Access Educational Records
Parents have the right to access their student’s educational records. However, there can be confusion as to which avenue under the law they can or should pursue for access to these student records.
Illinois PAC Issues Binding Opinion on Improper Restrictions on Public Comment
The Illinois PAC issued binding opinion 26-001, finding that the Village of Sauk Village violated the Open Meetings Act by impermissibly restricting a member of the public from addressing the Village Board during a committee meeting.
| Law Alerts, News
New Bonding and Retainage Requirements under the Public Construction Bond Act
The Public Construction Bond Act, 30 ILCS 550/1 et seq. (the “Bond Act”) was recently amended by Public Act 103-570, effective January 1, 2024. The Bond Act requires all public bodies to provide performance and payment bonds on public works projects of a certain amount.
| Law Alerts, News
White Former Employee of City of Springfield Wins Workplace Discrimination Trial
A federal district court jury recently ruled in favor of a former Springfield employee regarding her workplace discrimination complaint. Learn more about the case through our latest Law Alert.
| Law Alerts, News
Cook County Adopts Its Own Paid Leave Ordinance Covering School Districts, Community Colleges, Park Districts, and Units of Local Government
The Cook County Board of Commissioners recently adopted a Paid Leave Ordinance, which closely mirrors the State’s Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Learn more about this update in our recent Law Alert.
| Law Alerts, News
Federal Scholarship Program Geared Toward Low-Income, First Generation and Underrepresented College Students Challenged as Discriminatory
A federal scholarship program administered through the University of Colorado is facing a complaint of unlawful discrimination and civil rights violation before the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). Read our recent Law Alert on the complaint here.
| In Brief, News
2024 General Primary and General Election Calendar
The General Primary Election on March 19, 2024 will see candidates for State Senator and Representatives in the General Assembly nominated as well as candidates for county office. Those nominated will stand for election on November 5, 2024. Read more here.
| Law Alerts, News
Department of Labor’s Proposed “Overtime Rule” Will be Costly and Potentially Disruptive for Higher Education Institutions
The Department of Labor's proposed rule to raise the income cutoff for overtime pay could potentially disrupt higher education institutions. Read more here.
| Law Alerts, News
Supreme Court Signals That An Employer is Entitled to Ultimate Discretion in Deciding What is Reasonable Workplace Accommodation Under the ADA
The United States Supreme Court has determined that employers are entitled to ultimate discretion in deciding reasonable workplace accommodations under the ADA. Read more here.
| Labor & Employment, Law Alerts, News
Transportation Benefits Program Act Effective January 1, 2024
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed the Transportation Benefits Program Act into law, effective January 1, 2024. Read more here.
| Law Alerts, News
United States Supreme Court Will Decide Whether Public School Board Members’ Social Media Posts Constitutes State Action and Possible Free Speech Concerns
The United States Supreme Court has recently agreed to hear an appeal from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to decide whether two public-school board members’ Facebook pages constituted public forums and whether blocking individuals from posting comments on their pages violated the First Amendment’s free speech clause. Read more here.
| Law Alerts, News
Court Finds That Remote Work is Not a Reasonable ADA Accommodation for a School Principal
A Virginia federal district court recently ruled that the City of Norfolk and the Norfolk Public School board (“NPS”) did not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) when it denied an elementary principal’s ADA accommodation request to work remotely. Read more about the case here.