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
United States Supreme Court Will Decide Whether Public School Board Members’ Social Media Posts Constitutes State Action and Possible Free Speech Concerns
The United States Supreme Court has recently agreed to hear an appeal from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to decide whether two public-school board members’ Facebook pages constituted public forums and whether blocking individuals from posting comments on their pages violated the First Amendment’s free speech clause. Read more here.
Court Finds That Remote Work is Not a Reasonable ADA Accommodation for a School Principal
A Virginia federal district court recently ruled that the City of Norfolk and the Norfolk Public School board (“NPS”) did not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) when it denied an elementary principal’s ADA accommodation request to work remotely. Read more about the case here.
2023 Legislative Roundup for Schools
2023 has brought a deluge of legislation, with 561 bills signed into law in Illinois so far. This publication summarizes more than 50 of those bills (and one federal bill) that are relevant to school districts. These new bills include some with major changes to procurement, student services, and personnel operations that will require substantial efforts by school administrators to update their policies, procedures, and practices.
| Law Alerts
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
Recent Circuit Court Case Demonstrates Risk of Using Transportation Funds for Non-Transportation-Related Expenditures
A Cook County Circuit Court ruled that the County violated the 2016 transportation tax “lockbox” amendment by improperly spending over $243 million in transportation tax revenue on non-transportation purposes.
| Law Alerts
“Moral Conscience” Isn’t Enough for Religious Accommodation
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision clarifying the requirements of school employers related to the vaccinate or test requirements under Governor Pritzker’s executive orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Law Alerts
Reminder: Public Bodies May Not Hold a Public Meeting on March 17, 2026
March 17, 2026 is the date of the general primary election. If your regular Board meeting is scheduled for March 17, it will need to be rescheduled.
| Law Alerts
Illinois Appellate Court Upholds TIF Despite Preexisting Development
In a significant decision for local governments and taxing bodies, the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed the Village of Winfield’s creation of a new TIF, even though substantial redevelopment by Central DuPage Hospital had already begun prior to its formal enactment.
| Law Alerts
New Proposed FOIA Legislation Seeks Practical Relief for Public Bodies
The Illinois General Assembly is back in session. We worked with partner firms to introduce FOIA legislation sponsored by Representative Daniel Didech to address public sector client concerns while preserving FOIA’s purpose. The bills have not yet been voted on and may be amended. A summary follows.
| Law Alerts
2026 Refresher on Educational Support Personnel RIF Procedures and Teacher Non-Renewal/RIF Deadlines
As we head into the second half of the 2025-26 school year, school districts must begin to make important decisions about their staffing needs for the 2026-2027 school year.
| Law Alerts
Regulating Intelligence: New A.I. Laws and their Impact on Higher Education
The new year brings new compliance obligations for Illinois community colleges concerning the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.). Two new laws, both effective on January 1, 2026, place parameters on the evolving world of A.I.
| Law Alerts
ISBE RTO Guidance: Key Changes and Clarifications
In November 2025, ISBE released revised nonbinding Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions regarding the use of isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint (collectively referred to as “RTO”) in Illinois schools.
| Law Alerts
2026 Legislative Updates for Illinois Employers to Know
As we approach the new year, Illinois employers should pay close attention to the myriad of new employment-related statutory requirements taking effect in 2026.