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.
| COVID-19, In Brief
Short Legislative Session Packs a Punch: Changes to Worker’s Compensation, November Election, Property Taxes, and Much More
After missing much of its spring legislative session, the Illinois General Assembly returned for four days to address some of the most critical legislative needs in the wake of the…
| Law Alerts
Title VII Prohibits Discrimination Against Workers Based on Sexual Orientation
Written by Frank B. Garrett III In what many label a surprise decision, today, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits…
| COVID-19
New OMA Law Creates Limited Exception to Physical Presence Requirement
Written by Steven B. Adams and Catherine R. Locallo As you may already know, SB 2135 amending the Open Meetings Act was signed into law on June 12, 2020 (P.A. 101-0640,…
| COVID-19
Amendments to Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act Signed Into Law
Written by Catherine R. Locallo and Matthew M. Swift On June 5, 2020, Governor Pritzker signed HB 2455 into law as Public Act 101-0633. The legislation is effective immediately and makes changes in the state’s Unemployment…
| COVID-19
New Order Outlines Phase 3 Requirements as More Employees Return to Work
Written by Matthew M. Swift Last Friday, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-38 to end his stay-at-home orders and move the state into Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan for responding to the COVID-19…
| COVID-19, In Brief
Prepare for New (or Old) OMA Physical Presence Requirements
Without action by the Governor, the return of the physical requirements under the OMA would coincide most of Illinois entering Phase 3 (Recovery) of the Governor’s “Restore Illinois” Plan. While…
| Law Alerts
Illinois Appellate Rejects School Exemption for On-Campus Daycare
Written by Scott L. Ginsburg and Katie Zumalt-Rogers On May 15, 2020, the Appellate Court ruled that a daycare operated on the University of Chicago’s campus was “used with a view to profit”…
| COVID-19, In Brief
CDC and ISBE Issue Guidance as Schools Plan for Reopening
ISBE’s guidance is only the first part of its Transition Plan Advisory Workgroup’s recommendations and focuses on the short term, discussing how to wrap up the current school year and…
| COVID-19
Illinois Announces $25 Million in Fast-Track Grants for Planned Infrastructure Projects
Written by Katie Zumalt-Rogers and Matthew J. Gardner On May 12, 2020, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that Illinois would expedite $25 million of existing…
| COVID-19, Education
Department of Education Declines to Seek Waivers of FAPE and LRE Requirements under IDEA
On April 27, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos issued a report to Congress regarding her recommended waiver authority under The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES…