Law Alerts
We cultivate a collaborative, inclusive culture where our team shares knowledge and stays informed on legal developments. We value diversity, as different perspectives strengthen our ability to solve problems and advocate effectively. Beyond our legal services, we prioritize building relationships through internal events that promote camaraderie and a positive environment. This culture empowers us to deliver exceptional legal services and contributions to our clients and communities.
Law Alerts
ERO Extended – But Eligibility Now Determined Locally
By Robbins Schwartz |
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…
Health Care Employer Mandate and Penalties Delayed until 2015
By Robbins Schwartz |
Late yesterday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a one year delay in implementation of the Affordable Care Act (“Act”) employer mandate and penalties until 2015. The decision was announced via…
“Could Your Township Benefit From the Work of a Committee?”
By Robbins Schwartz |
Guy C. Hall and M. Neal Smith, Jr. authored “Could Your Township Benefit From the Work of a Committee?” which was included in the July/August 2013 issue of Township Perspective…
“Using Social Network Screening as Part of the Hiring Process: Employers Should Proceed with Caution”
By Robbins Schwartz |
“Using Social Network Screening as Part of the Hiring Process: Employers Should Proceed with Caution,” written by partner Frank B. Garrett III was published in the June 2013 issue of Inquiry and Analysis,…
Does Your Employee Handbook or Policy Manual Create a Right to Continued Employment?
By Robbins Schwartz |
In a recent decision, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals found that a right to continued employment following completion of a probationary period cannot be inferred from silence in an…
No Secret Balloting by Members of a Public Body
By Robbins Schwartz |
On May 13, 2013, the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (“PAC”) issued a binding opinion that the use of secret ballots by public bodies violates the Illinois Open Meetings…
Employer Could Skip ADA Interactive Accommodation Process with Employee Who Could Not Show She Could Regularly Come to Work
By Robbins Schwartz |
In Badsen v. Professional Transportation, Inc, (May 8, 2013). the Seventh Circuit ruled that the District Court correctly concluded that plaintiff, Badsen’s, discharge was not disability discrimination, even though the employer,…
Teacher’s Inappropriate Facebook Post Warranted a Two Year Unpaid Suspension, but Not Discharge
By Robbins Schwartz |
On May 7, 2013, the New York Appellate Court ruled that the lower court had correctly reversed the discharge of a tenured teacher, Ms. Rubino, who had an otherwise unblemished…
Illinois Supreme Court Determines Arbitration Award Ordering Reinstatement of a Paraprofessional was Binding Because the Award “Drew Its Essence” from the CBA
By Robbins Schwartz |
Analyzing the scope and enforceability of an arbitration award, the Illinois Supreme Court in Griggsville-Perry Unit School Dist. No. 4 v. The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Bd., et al., 2013 IL…
Department of Labor Issues Updated FMLA Forms and Poster
By Robbins Schwartz |
The United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) has updated many of its model FMLA forms and its FMLA poster to reflect its recently issued rules which implement and interpret the…