Legal News & Updates
News
Rooftop Safety for First Responders Act
Illinois law makers pass the Rooftop Safety for First Responders Act, requiring properties with specific roof dimensions and openings to have protective measures to prevent firefighter injuries during low-visibility conditions. Read more here.
Federal Court Dismisses Title VI Discrimination Claims Brought by Students Against Northwestern University
A federal judge in the Northern District of Illinois recently dismissed civil rights claims brought against Northwestern University by a group of Jewish students in Jane Doe, et al v. Northwestern University.
Illinois Appellate Court Dismisses Claims Against Employer Regarding Confidentiality of Internal Investigation
The Illinois Appellate Court dismissed an employee’s breach of contract claim that her employer violated the employee handbook, which stated complaints would be investigated confidentially, when the employer sent a company-wide email informing that she would be investigated for racial bias, but did not announce that the investigation resulted in no finding of wrongdoing.
Posts
May 5, 2026 | K-12 Updates
Two Labor and Employment Bills to Watch
The Illinois legislature is currently considering two bills that would have a significant impact on school districts throughout the State. While neither bill is certain to become law, school districts should closely monitor their status moving forward.
April 20, 2026 | General Updates
DOJ Extends ADA Title II WCAG Web Accessibility Deadlines
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) extending the compliance deadlines for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) web and mobile application accessibility requirements.
March 10, 2026 | General Updates
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.”
March 5, 2026 | General Updates
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.
March 4, 2026 | General Updates
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.
February 27, 2026 | Municipal Updates
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.
February 16, 2026 | General Updates
“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.
