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.
| COVID-19, Law Alerts
Follow LHD Quarantine Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals
The answer to the question of whether a fully vaccinated individual needs to quarantine following “close contact” exposure to a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case depends on the guidance from your local health department.
| Law Alerts
New Regulation Requires Qualified Interpreters to Attend Individualized Education Program Meetings
The Illinois State Board of Education (“ISBE”) recently adopted new regulations, which define a “qualified interpreter” and set forth procedural requirements for school districts providing qualified interpreters at Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) meetings.
| Law Alerts
Biden Administration Revisiting Title IX Sexual Harassment Rules
Today President Biden issued an executive order that marked the first public step toward reshaping Title IX regulations about sexual harassment again.
| In Brief
Overview of Sweeping Criminal Justice Reforms Signed Into Law
On February 22, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Public Act 101-0652, which includes sweeping criminal justice reforms that will have a significant impact on law enforcement agencies and officers across the state
| Law Alerts
New Supplemental Savings Plan Offered by Teachers’ Retirement System
In 2018, the Illinois legislature amended the Illinois Pension Code to add a requirement that the Teachers’ Retirement System of Illinois (TRS) provide an optional defined contribution benefit to all…
| COVID-19, Law Alerts
IDPH Supplements Quarantine Guidance to Account for Vaccinations
IDPH recently issued interim quarantine guidance for vaccinated school employees. Notably, the interim guidance does not replace the IDPH’s existing exclusion chart, which is summarized in our January 7, 2021…
| Law Alerts
Biden’s Department of Justice Reverses Course in Yale “Affirmative Action” Lawsuit
On February 3, 2021, the United States’ Department of Justice (the “Department”) withdrew its lawsuit against Yale University (“Yale”) claiming that Yale unlawfully discriminated against White and Asian-American applicants in…
| Law Alerts
In Case Challenging City of Peoria Ordinance, Illinois Appellate Court Upholds Standard for Determining a “Catastrophic Injury” under the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act
The Third District Appellate Court recently reaffirmed the standard for determining whether a firefighter has suffered a “catastrophic injury” under the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (“Act”). In the case…
| COVID-19, Law Alerts
Employers Seek Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives
In a February 1, 2021 letter, several employers and business organizations, urged the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) to provide guidance on employer-provided COVID-19 vaccine incentives.
| Law Alerts
New Title IX Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education
On January 15, 2021, the outgoing U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) published new guidance on its Title IX regulations regarding sexual harassment, which went into effect on August 14, 2020.