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
Wait – When Will This Teacher Accrue Tenure??
Many questions have arisen regarding the tenure accrual process under the School Code, which changes for teachers first employed on a full-time basis after a school district’s PERA Implementation Date [1]. …
| Law Alerts
DOL ISSUES NEW, BROADER DEFINITION OF “JOINT EMPLOYMENT”
On January 20, 2016, the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued “Administrator’s Interpretation No. 2016-1” (“AI”) advising employers that the DOL uses, in its enforcement efforts, a broad definition…
| Firm News
SB 100 Conference – Robbins Schwartz – Suspension, Alternative School Placement, Expulsion or Something Else Graphic
THE HEAT IS ON:SUSPENSION, ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PLACEMENT, EXPULSION OR SOMETHING ELSE?
| Education, In Brief, Labor & Employment
New Laws Effective 1/1/2016
New Laws Effective January 1, 2016 Affecting Labor and Employment Certifications and Prerequisites to Employment Public Act 99-0267 – Amends the Community Expanded Mental Health Services Act. Requires that in order…
| In Brief
Appellate Court Rejects Attorney General’s Interpretation of Section 2(e) of the Open Meetings Act [1]
The Appellate Court in Board of Educ. of Springfield School Dist. No. 186 v. The Illinois Attorney General, et al., 2015 IL App (4th) 140941 (Dec. 15, 2015), rejected the Illinois Attorney…
| Law Alerts
Is A Hospital Operating In Your Community? Illinois Appellate Court Declares 2012 Hospital Exemption Statute Unconstitutional
A statutory provision establishing property tax exemption standards for hospitals is unconstitutional and “was unenforceable from its inception” according to the Illinois Court of Appeals for the 4th District. See The Carle Foundation…
| Education, In Brief
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF RIF CHECKLIST
A RIF of ESPs occurs whenever a district decides to decrease the number of ESPs employed by the school board or to discontinue a particular type of support service. A…
| Law Alerts
Clarification of Recent IDOL Regulatory Changes Regarding Vacation Days
The Illinois Department of Labor (“IDOL”) recently revised its regulations regarding forfeiture of earned vacation time. However, IDOL left intact a separate regulation that specifically allows employers to require employees…
| Law Alerts
Delayed Implementation of New Concussion Education, Oversight and Protocols for Schools
On August 17, 2015, we issued an In Brief[1] regarding the newly enacted Illinois School Code Section 22-80, which further addresses concussion education, oversight, and protocols. With the exception of the training obligations for…