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
“Back to School” Timed Changes to List of Employment Disqualifying Crimes
On July 29, 2016, Governor Rauner signed a new law addressing some of the common questions stemming from The School Code requirement of criminal history records checks on applicants for employment and…
| Law Alerts
State Sets New Training Requirements For Community College Trustees
Effective January 1, 2017, all voting trustees for Illinois community colleges will be required to complete a minimum of 4 hours of professional development leadership training. Prior to Governor Rauner…
| Law Alerts
New Law Requires “Open Session” Discussion of Certain Wage Payments to IMRF Participating Employees
Effective immediately, the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act (PA 99-0646/HB5684) (the “Act”) prohibits units of local government from making a “disclosable payment” to certain IMRF participating employees unless the local government’s…
| Law Alerts
New Requirement for Child Bereavement Leave
On July 29, 2016, Governor Rauner signed into law the Child Bereavement Leave Act, Public Act 99-0703. The Act provides a maximum of two weeks (10 work days) of unpaid…
| Law Alerts
New FOIA Penalties for Failing to Comply with Binding PAC Opinions and Court Orders
Effective January 1, 2017, public bodies that fail to comply with binding decisions issued by the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (“PAC”) may face additional fines and penalties. On…
| Law Alerts
Effective Date for Local Government Travel Expense Control Act
On July 22, 2016, Governor Rauner signed the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act. In a Law Alert yesterday we described that the law, among other things, requires all school…
| Law Alerts
New Law Requires Board Regulation of Travel Reimbursement and Prohibits Certain “Entertainment” Expenditures
On July 22, 2016, Governor Rauner signed into law the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act. The law requires all school districts, community colleges and units of local government other…
| Law Alerts
Fifth District Appellate Court Rules that the Private Illinois High School Association (“IHSA”) is Not Subject to FOIA
On June 24, 2016, the Illinois Appellate Court held the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), because the IHSA is a…
| Law Alerts
TRS Early Retirement Option (ERO) Sunsets
On July 1, 2016, the TRS Early Retirement Option (ERO) provision expired. The TRS ERO provision had been in place since July 1, 2005. The ERO allowed qualified TRS members…
| Law Alerts
OMA Amended to Provide Elected and Appointed Officials Access to Closed Session Minutes and Verbatim Recordings
This question of accessibility to closed session records by members of a public body’s governing board has come up from time to time. On June 30, 2016, Governor Rauner signed…