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.
| In Brief
Illinois Supreme Court to Hear Case Involving Contentious Arbitration Award Ordering Reinstatement of At-Will Paraprofessional
In Griggsville-Perry Community Unit School District No. 4 v. Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court addressed whether an arbitrator’s award ordering reinstatement of a paraprofessional…
| Law Alerts
Agendas for Public Meetings: “Just One More Thing”… or Two
Illinois’ oft-amended Open Meeting Act (OMA) has been amended again, this time to mandate more specific content for meeting agendas, and that they be made “continuously available for public review”…
| In Brief
FOIA Update: Binding Opinions and Case Decisions
This In Brief will provide you with a summary of the binding opinions issued by the Public Access Counselor (“PAC”) since our March 2011 publication[1] and two recent FOIA cases. Binding Opinions…
| Law Alerts
Amendment to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act Makes College Employees and Coaches “Mandated Reporters”
On June 27, 2012, Governor Pat Quinn has signed an amendment to Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, Public Act 97-0711, to require “personnel of institutions of higher education”…
| Law Alerts
What to Do When Unsafe Properties Pose a Threat to the Welfare of the Citizens in Your Township
“What to Do When Unsafe Properties Pose a Threat to the Welfare of the Citizens in Your Township” by M. Neal Smith, Jr. was published in the January 2012 issue…
| Law Alerts
MBE and FBE Goals Applicable to School Construction Projects
On February 16, 2012, Governor Quinn announced that Illinois school districts statewide will receive more than $623 million for school construction. Under Public Act 96-1064, which became effective July 16,…
| In Brief
SB 7 Sequence of Dismissal RIF List Deadline Approaches
This In Brief will highlight the upcoming deadlines related to reductions-in-force (“RIF”) of teachers. It specifically addresses the timelines and additional requirements a district may have under SB 7. Timeline…
| Law Alerts
Illinois Supreme Court Accepts Case Challenging the Illinois Public School Funding System
On January 25, 2012, the Illinois Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s education funding system, Carr v. Koch, (2011) Ill. App.…
| In Brief
Anti-“Slapp” Law Strikes Only at Suits Filed Solely to Silence Citizen Participation in Government . . . Not Bona Fide Defamation Claims by Public Officials
Interpreting the state’s “anti-SLAPP” (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) statute enacted in 2007, the Illinois Supreme Court has opined that the law does not prevent public employees and officials from…
| In Brief
Non-Tenured Techer Dismissal Checklist
This In Brief will summarize school district’s obligations under The School Code for non-reemployment and dismissal of non-tenured teachers for performance reasons only. This summary does not apply to reduction-in-force (“RIF”) layoff of non-tenured…