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
Compliance Reminder: Training Requirements for FOIA Officers, OMA Designees, and Elected Officials
By Robbins Schwartz |
The Open Meetings Act (OMA) and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) mandate training for FOIA Officers, OMA Designees, and elected/appointed officials. With a new year on the horizon, the various training requirements are…
New Law Furthers Religious Accommodations for College Students
By Robbins Schwartz |
Since January 1, 1996, Illinois’ University Religious Observances Act (the “Act”) has required public institutions of higher education to have a policy which reasonably accommodates individual students’ religious observances in…
The Illinois Supreme Court Holds That Students, Alleging That Pedophile Teacher’s Former School District Provided False Information to Students’ District, Can Proceed with Lawsuit
By Robbins Schwartz |
The Illinois Supreme Court this week held that Urbana School District students could pursue their lawsuit against the McLean County School District for providing Urbana with false information about the…
Public Act 97-0875: Illinois’ New “Facebook” Law
By Robbins Schwartz |
On August 1, 2012, Governor Quinn signed into law an amendment to the Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act (“Workplace Privacy Act”) which prohibits employers from “requesting or requiring any…
Agendas for Public Meetings: “Just One More Thing”… or Two
By Robbins Schwartz |
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”…
Amendment to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act Makes College Employees and Coaches “Mandated Reporters”
By Robbins Schwartz |
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”…
What to Do When Unsafe Properties Pose a Threat to the Welfare of the Citizens in Your Township
By Robbins Schwartz |
“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…
MBE and FBE Goals Applicable to School Construction Projects
By Robbins Schwartz |
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,…
Illinois Supreme Court Accepts Case Challenging the Illinois Public School Funding System
By Robbins Schwartz |
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.…
‘New Year’ Rings in Change to Salary Reporting Obligations for School Districts
By Robbins Schwartz |
Effective January 1, 2012, school districts have only one salary and benefits reporting obligation under The School Code.[1] Public Act 97-259 (the “Act”) repealed School Code Section 10-20.50, which required school districts to create a…