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
Governor Pritzker Signs into Law Significant Amendments to the Cannabis Act
On December 4, 2019 Governor Pritzker signed into law SB 1557 amending the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (the “Act”). SB 1557, among other things, clarifies an employer’s right to…
| Law Alerts
Threat Assessment Compliance Deadlines for School Districts Are Approaching
105 ILCS 128/45, added by P.A. 101-455, has two requirements with approaching deadlines: School districts must implement a threat assessment procedure by December 24, 2019. Due to the holiday break, we recommend implementation…
| Law Alerts
Appellate Court Finds Against Political Committee for Gas and Vehicle Expenditures
In Cooke v. Illinois State Board of Elections, 2019 IL App (4th) 180502, the Appellate Court held that a political committee’s use of funds for gas and vehicle repairs were for personal…
| Law Alerts
Fourth District Affirms Willful and Wanton Standard for Local Governments under the Tort Immunity Act
The Fourth District Appellate Court recently affirmed the standard for willful and wanton conduct under the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/1-101 et seq.) In Murphy v.…
| Law Alerts
Recent Amendment to the Open Meetings Act Allows for Closed Session Discussion Regarding Independent Contractors and Volunteers
Effective August 26, 2019, Public Act 101-459 narrowly expanded the topics that can be discussed in closed session under Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act. Under this new act,…
| Law Alerts
Department of Labor’s New Rule Expands Eligibility for Overtime Pay
On September 24, 2019, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) released its final rule updating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)’s regulations concerning minimum wage and overtime pay exemptions.…
| Law Alerts
Village Ordinance Limiting Sign Size and Location Upheld by Seventh Circuit
The US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently issued a decision with regard to a village ordinance limiting the size and location of signs. In Leibundguth Storage & Van…
