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
Amendment to School Code Requires High Schools to Acquire Catastrophic Injury Insurance for Athletes by 2014
On August 5, 2013, Governor Quinn signed into law Public Act 98-166 (the “Act”), which amends School Code Section 22-15, Insurance on Athletes, by requiring all high schools to maintain a minimum level…
| Law Alerts
General Assembly Increases the Threshold for Payment and Performance Bonds
Effective August 9, 2013, Public Act 98-0216 amended the Public Construction Bond Act, 30 ILCS 550/1, to increase the threshold, from $5,000 to $50,000, at which public bodies must require…
| Law Alerts
Concealed Carry Act and Community Colleges
The Firearm Concealed Carry Act, 430 ILCS 66/1 et seq. (the “Act”), effective July 9, 2013, directly addresses the carrying of concealed firearms on community college campuses and imposes reporting duties…
| Law Alerts
FMLA Coverage Extended To Same-Sex Spouses
On August 9, 2013, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued an internal memorandum to DOL staff members stating that same-sex couples are now eligible to take leave under the Family…
| Law Alerts
Posting of Employment Vacancies on State of Illinois Job Board Is Now a Requirement for Illinois Community Colleges
On July 23, 2013, Governor Quinn signed into law an amendment to the Illinois Skills Match Program (re-titled as IllinoisJobsLink.com) which, amongst other things, requires state agencies and the parties they enter into…
| Law Alerts
General Assembly Makes School District Electoral Boards a Thing of the Past
Public Act 98-0115, signed into law July 29, 2013, has eliminated school district electoral boards and removed the election functions of school district board secretaries. Section 9-10 of the School…
| Law Alerts
Illinois Expands Public College Tuition Waivers and “In-State” Tuition for Veterans
Registrars and Bursar’s Offices take note: Beginning with the 2013-14 academic year, any veteran using benefits under the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill is entitled to be treated as an Illinois…
| Law Alerts
Board Members’ Communications on Personal Electronic Devices During Public Meeting Regarding “Public Business” Is Subject to FOIA Request
Affirming part of a binding opinion issued last year by the Illinois Attorney General (“AG”), the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court holds communications “pertaining to public business” which…
| Law Alerts
ERO Extended – But Eligibility Now Determined Locally
Public Act 98-0042, effective June 28, 2013, extends the state Early Retirement Option (“ERO”) for TRS employees through June 30, 2016. The new law provides that a local school district…
| In Brief
School District’s PTAB Appeal Results in Increased Tax Revenues
As most taxing district officials know, when a taxpayer wins a property tax appeal at the State of Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (“PTAB”), that taxpayer receives a refund that…