The expanded Title IX sex discrimination regulations that went into effect on August 1, 2024, have been struck down. On January 9, 2025, a federal trial court judge in Kentucky vacated the 2024 Title IX Final Rule in the case of State of Tennessee v. Cardona. While the ‘vacatur’ remedy technically applies only to the five states that were plaintiffs …
A new law will limit the actions a municipal employer can take against a police officer seeking disability benefits and elevate the role the police pension fund board will play in determining whether officers who have recovered from disability are fit for duty as they are returned immediately to the municipal payroll. On August 9, 2024, Governor Pritzker signed into …
by Kelli Melin Effective August 9, 2024, out-of-school suspension notice templates have been simplified. Under Public Act 103-0896, the template for a four-day out-of-school suspension no longer exists. Rather, school districts must now use the out-of-school suspension template previously used for a suspension of five or more days for out-of-school suspensions of four or more days. The School Code continues …
by Michael Castaldo, III The United States Department of Health and Human Services just made it harder for law enforcement officers to obtain medical records from entities covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”). Under HIPAA’s Privacy Rule, covered entities (including fire departments, hospitals, and other healthcare firms) are required to safeguard their patients’ Protected …
by Adam Hudoba The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) has issued a final rule that significantly alters the landscape of overtime pay exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). Effective July 1, 2024, this new rule updates certain exemptions from overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, professional, and highly paid employees in two major ways. First, the rule raises …
by Maureen A. Lemon Our annual School Law Conference takes place on September 11, 2024 from 8 a.m. – noon in Lisle. We will provide a comprehensive summary of federal and State changes which impact your schools at that time. Registration details are available on our website. In the meantime, we want to share some important legal updates as you …
by Brian Johnston and John Motylinski In the realm of public service, the promise of a secure retirement pension is often a significant factor in attracting and retaining dedicated professionals. However, for Illinois firefighters and police officers, this promise comes with a crucial caveat: being convicted of a felony related to one’s public service can result in pension forfeiture. This …
by Joseph S. Davidson In the past year, advancements in AI technology have captured the public’s fascination. With more systems being made available to the public, AI has progressed from the imaginary to an imminent reality. However, the prospect of widespread adoption of AI technology has also triggered numerous concerns, as the technology threatens to radically alter many aspects of …
by John H. Kelly The Spring session of the 103rd Illinois Senate and House of Representatives wrapped up on May 27th. Much of the session focused on adopting the budget for the State of Illinois. There were several bills that were passed by the Legislature that affect the fire service in the State. The Illinois Fire Caucus asserted its presence …
by Maureen A. Lemon The U.S. Department of Education has recently unveiled the updated final regulations for Title IX. The Final Rule becomes effective August 1, 2024, and reinforces your school district’s obligation to safeguard against sex discrimination. Final Rule Summary. Here are 2 key takeaways: Enhanced Protections: The new regulations expand the protections against sex-based harassment while imposing new …
