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.
| Executive Order Updates, Firm News, Law Alerts
DEI Updates: Understanding the Pending Litigation and New OCR FAQs
The DEI landscape has changed once again. In the past two weeks, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction temporarily halting certain provisions of the Trump Administration’s executive orders related to DEI.
| Executive Order Updates, Law Alerts
Federal Government Issues New Guidance on DEI Enforcement
On February 14, 2025, the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), released a Dear Colleague letter to state and local educational institutions. The guidance and important implications are analyzed below.
| Executive Order Updates, Firm News
Now Available: 2025 Title IX Toolkit for Higher Educational Institutions
Robbins Schwartz is proud to offer our 2025 Title IX Toolkit for Higher Educational Institutions to assist institutions in implementation of the 2020 Title IX regulations. Learn how to purchase the toolkit here.
| Executive Order Updates, Firm News, Law Alerts
Federal Government Issues Executive Order on Student Athletics and Sues Chicago, Cook County and Illinois Over Immigration Enforcement
Read our latest law alert summarizing new executive order developments and their implications for institutions, including key timelines to note.
| Executive Order Updates, Firm News
Now Available: 2025 Title IX Toolkit for K-12 Educational Institutions
Robbins Schwartz is proud to offer our 2025 Title IX Toolkit for K-12 Educational Institutions to assist schools in implementation of the 2020 Title IX regulations. Learn how to purchase the toolkit here.
| In Brief, News
Annual Reminder on Educational Support Staff RIF Procedures and Teacher Non-Renewal/RIF Deadlines
As the 2024-25 school year continues through the winter months, school districts are beginning to plan and review their staffing needs for the 2025-26 school year. In assessing options to address those needs, some school districts may determine it is necessary to implement a reduction-in-force (“RIF”) of its educational support staff, a statutory process driven by The School Code. Many school districts are also likely to be considering the non-reemployment of non-tenured teachers at the end of the 2024-25 school term, or a RIF of teachers, statutory processes that were significantly modified in recent years. Given the various procedural requirements imposed on school districts, we believe an annual reminder of those requirements will be of assistance as districts plan for their future personnel and staffing needs.
| Executive Order Updates, Firm News
More Executive Orders and Federal Guidance Impacting Educational Institutions
Read our latest law alert about additional executive orders and federal guidance affecting educational institutions.
| Executive Order Updates, Firm News
Now Available: Preparation for Immigration Enforcement Toolkit for Illinois Higher Education Institutions
Robbins Schwartz is proud to offer our guidance documents and templates to assist Illinois higher education administrators in navigating interactions with immigration officials, in accordance with the executive order titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion." Learn more here.
| Executive Order Updates, Firm News
Now Available: Preparation for Immigration Enforcement Toolkit for K-12 School Districts
Robbins Schwartz is proud to offer our guidance documents and templates to assist K-12 school district administrators in navigating interactions with immigration officials, in accordance with the executive order titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion." Learn more here.
| Executive Order Updates, Law Alerts, News
Executive Orders Impacting Educational Institutions… What You Need to Know
Within hours of taking office, President Trump issued executive orders impacting educational institutions. Robbins Schwartz attorneys are closely monitoring the executive actions, and have identified two orders that administrators should be aware of.