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.

PAC Provides Further Guidance on Unduly Burdensome FOIA Requests

On March 5, 2024, the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued a non-binding determination letter offering additional guidance to public bodies regarding the designation of requests as unduly burdensome. Read more about their guidance in our recent law alert.

Schools and Park Districts Only Granted More Time to Comply with Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance

The Board of Commissioners recently passed a revised version of the Paid Leave Ordinance amendment exempting school districts and park districts from the ordinance's requirements. Read more about the update in our latest law alert.

EEOC Issues Fact Sheet on Anti-Arab, Anti-Middle Eastern, Anti-Muslim, and Antisemitic Workplace Discrimination and Harassment

The EEOC recently released a Fact Sheet clarifying the Title VII protections amid the workplace and campus tensions linked to conflict in the Middle East. Learn more about their resource in our most recent law alert.

Update on Proposed Amendment to Exclude Schools and Park Districts from County Paid Leave Ordinance

The Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations Committee recently deferred voting on the proposed amendment to Paid Leave Ordinance. Read more about the updated in our latest law alert.

Supreme Court Allows High School Admissions Policy Designed to Promote Diversity

On February 20, 2024, the Supreme Court declined to review whether a Virginia high school's 2020 revised admissions policy, which aimed at fostering student diversity, constituted racial discrimination. Read more about the revised policy in our latest law alert.

ISBE Model Bullying Prevention Policy Now Available

Public Act 103-0047 was recently passed, adding new requirements to schools' bullying prevention and response obligations. Read more about the update in our latest law alert.

Refresher on Educational Support Staff RIF Procedures and Updates to Teacher Non-Renewal/RIF Deadlines

As the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year quickly approaches, school districts are gearing up for staffing needs in 2024-2025 and beyond. Check out our latest in brief for a refresher on educational support staff RIF procedures and more.

Professor’s Complaint That University Demoted and Disciplined Him Because of His Anti-DEI Statements and Blog Post Turned Away by Supreme Court

A professor was demoted and disciplined by his university for anti-DEI statements and blog posts. Read more about the case in our latest law alert.

Supreme Court Allows West Point to Consider Race In Its Admission Policy

The Supreme Court has decided that West Point can continue to take race into account as a factor in its admission policy. Read more about the decision in our latest law alert.

Federal Judge Oral Argument Orders Challenges as Sex and Race Discrimination

A judicial conduct complaint was recently filed against three federal judges alleging that their standings orders constitutes discrimination against race and sex. Read more about the case in our latest law alert.
Legal Updates & News