News
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.
News
Missouri Court Grants Injunction Blocking Enforcement of Law Preventing Teachers from Social Media Contact with Students
By Robbins Schwartz |
Public schools across the country have dealt with the benefits and drawbacks to the use of social media by teachers to communicate with students. Although social medias are often beneficial…
New Posting Obligations for IMRF Employers
By Robbins Schwartz |
Public Act 97-609, effective January 1, 2012[1], adds a new section to the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/7.3), creating two new posting obligations for IMRF employers: The total compensation…
IRS Issues Long-awaited Guidance on Termination of Section 403(b) Plans
By Robbins Schwartz |
The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2011-7 (the “Ruling”), which clarifies the requirements for a sponsor to terminate a 403(b) plan, as well as the resulting tax consequences to plan…
New FOIA Amendments Ease Burden on Public Bodies
By Robbins Schwartz |
On August 27, 2011, Public Act 97-579 was signed into law, which amends FOIA by: (1) eliminating the “pre-authorization” process when asserting a denial under Section 7(1)(c) or 7(1)(f) of…
School District Victorious in Kankakee County Property Tax Dispute
By Robbins Schwartz |
In a victory for Illinois taxing bodies, the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (“PTAB”) this month issued a decision rejecting an over-valuation challenge to the assessment of an industrial property…
New Law Mandates Training for All Board Members
By Robbins Schwartz |
On August 23, 2011, Governor Quinn signed into law Public Act 97-504 (the “Act”), which amends the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) by requiring all elected and appointed members of a public body…
Employees and Their Social Media Postings: Are They Protected Activity?
By Robbins Schwartz |
Employers are presently confronted with difficult legal and practical issues when considering the possibility of punishing employees for their statements on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. When is…
An Overview of Public Act 97-0008 – 2011 Education Reform Act
By Robbins Schwartz |
On June 13, 2011, Governor Quinn signed SB 7 into law during a bill signing ceremony in Maywood, Illinois. A proper assessment of Senate Bill 7 (SB 7) begins with…
Court Decision Raises Questions about Multi-year Administrator Contracts
By Robbins Schwartz |
A recent federal district court decision in Illinois has raised questions about the inclusion of performance goals and the enforceability of multi-year employment agreements for school superintendents. In Wynn v.…
Pension Reform Bill Stalls in the Illinois House of Representatives
By Robbins Schwartz |
A pension reform plan that was making its way through the Illinois General Assembly has stalled. Senate Bill 512 would have created a three-tiered retirement system for most state employees,…