Legal News & Updates

Robbins Schwartz has pioneered defining the practice of education law as a singular discipline. As we continue to expand our services, we stay involved in the ongoing development and evolution of the law.

Latest Updates & News

Guy C. Hall Has Been Appointed as a Member of the Illinois State Bar Health Care Section Council

Robbins Schwartz is pleased to announce Guy C. Hall has been appointed to serve as a Member of the Illinois State Bar Association Health Care Section Council.

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Catherine R. Locallo Named 1st Vice President of the Justinian Society of Lawyers

Catherine R. Locallo has been named 1st Vice President of the Justinian Society of Lawyers.

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Title IX Amendments Released, Effective August 1, 2024

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has issued its final Title IX regulations, which will go into effect on August 1, 2024. Read more about their guidance in our recent law alert.

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Robbins Schwartz is Pleased to Announce New Associate Attorneys

Robbins Schwartz is pleased to announce our newest Associate Attorneys.

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PAC Provides Further Guidance on Unduly Burdensome FOIA Requests

On March 5, 2024, the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued a non-binding determination letter offering additional guidance to public bodies regarding the designation of requests as unduly burdensome. Read more about their guidance in our recent law alert.

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Schools and Park Districts Only Granted More Time to Comply with Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance

The Board of Commissioners recently passed a revised version of the Paid Leave Ordinance amendment exempting school districts and park districts from the ordinance’s requirements. Read more about the update in our latest law alert.

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Appellate Court Rejects Attorney General’s Interpretation of Section 2(e) of the Open Meetings Act [1]

The Appellate Court in Board of Educ. of Springfield School Dist. No. 186 v. The Illinois Attorney General, et al., 2015 IL App (4th) 140941 (Dec. 15, 2015), rejected the Illinois Attorney…

Is A Hospital Operating In Your Community? Illinois Appellate Court Declares 2012 Hospital Exemption Statute Unconstitutional

A statutory provision establishing property tax exemption standards for hospitals is unconstitutional and “was unenforceable from its inception” according to the Illinois Court of Appeals for the 4th District.  See The Carle Foundation…

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF RIF CHECKLIST

A RIF of ESPs occurs whenever a district decides to decrease the number of ESPs employed by the school board or to discontinue a particular type of support service. A…

Robbins Schwartz Announces Partner Promotion

Robbins Schwartz is pleased to announce that associate Amanda Tiebert Collman has been named partner.

Clarification of Recent IDOL Regulatory Changes Regarding Vacation Days

The Illinois Department of Labor (“IDOL”) recently revised its regulations regarding forfeiture of earned vacation time.  However, IDOL left intact a separate regulation that specifically allows employers to require employees…

Delayed Implementation of New Concussion Education, Oversight and Protocols for Schools

On August 17, 2015, we issued an In Brief[1] regarding the newly enacted Illinois School Code Section 22-80, which further addresses concussion education, oversight, and protocols. With the exception of the training obligations for…

Community Colleges Have New Aspirational Goals for Contracts Awarded to Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities

The Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act, 30 ILCS 575/0.01 et. seq. (the “Business Enterprise Act” or “Act”) provides aspirational goals for the percentage of certain State…

Illinois Supreme Court Affirms Decision That School Districts are Subject to Municipal Zoning Regulations

The Illinois Supreme Court recently issued its long-awaited decision in Gurba v. Community High School District No. 155, 2015 IL 118332, affirming the Second District and Circuit Court’s decisions finding that Community…

New IL Supreme Court Case Heightens Need For Municipal Vigilance In Intervening On Pension Board Proceedings

In its latest ruling on the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (PSEBA), 820 ILCS 320/10, the Illinois Supreme Court strengthened its prior ruling on the finding of a “catastrophic” injury for purposes…

Governor Signs Legislation Setting Limitations on Community College Employment Contracts

On September 22, 2015, Governor Rauner signed House Bill 3593 into law as Public Act 99-0482.  As reported in our July 2015 Law Alert, this law adds a new section to The…