Generated by Rank Math SEO, this is an llms.txt file designed to help LLMs better understand and index this website.

# Ottosen Dinolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd: A Legacy of Relationships Built on Trust

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://ottosenlaw.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [When the FOIA Clock Starts: Illinois Court Clarifies When Electronic Requests Are Received](https://ottosenlaw.com/when-the-foia-clock-starts/): by Hayley Loufek
- [The Sonya Massey Law, a Deeper Dive: Common Questions and Practical Guidance](https://ottosenlaw.com/the-sonya-massey-law-a-deeper-dive/): by Megan A. Lamb
- [Supreme Court Clarifies Disability Discrimination Standards in Education](https://ottosenlaw.com/supreme-court-clarifies-disability-discrimination-standards-in-education/): by Joseph Miller and Nehal Kaur
- [Small Business, Big Exposure: Illinois Tightens the Rules on AI in Hiring](https://ottosenlaw.com/small-business-big-exposure/): by Joseph S. Davidson
- [Is Your Website ADA Compliant?](https://ottosenlaw.com/is-your-website-ada-compliant/): by Shawn P. Flaherty
- [Illinois Appellate Court Clarifies Limits of Pension Portability](https://ottosenlaw.com/illinois-appellate-court-clarifies-limits-of-pension-portability/): by Michael Castaldo III
- [Understanding the New Federal Overtime Tax Deduction](https://ottosenlaw.com/understanding-the-new-federal-overtime-tax-deduction/): What is the new “no tax” on overtime?
- [New Appellate Court Decision Clarifies Disability Pension Effective Dates](https://ottosenlaw.com/new-appellate-court-decision-clarifies-disability-pension-effective-dates/): New appellate court decision clarifies disability pension effective dates
- [Changes to FOIA and OMA Effective January 1, 2026](https://ottosenlaw.com/changes-to-foia-and-oma-effective-january-1-2026/): Public Act 104-0438, signed by Governor Pritzker on November 21, 2025, makes various changes to the Open Meetings Act, the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), and the Local Records Act:
- [Court Bars Police Pensioner from Joining Second Article 3 Fund](https://ottosenlaw.com/court-bars-police-pensioner-from-joining-second-article-3-fund/): On November 14, 2025, the Illinois Appellate Court ruled that a police officer already receiving pension benefits from one Article 3 fund cannot join a second Article 3 fund when hired by another municipality.
- [The 2024 Title IX Sex Discrimination Rule is Gone – Now What?](https://ottosenlaw.com/the-2024-title-ix-sex-discrimination-rule-is-gone-now-what/): 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 in that lawsuit (Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia), a vacatur order is treated as a nationwide remedy. This signals the demise of the 2024 Title IX Final Rule everywhere. It is unlikely that an appellate judge will overturn the Kentucky court’s decision. This, coupled with the change in the federal administration, means that the 2024 Title IX Rule will not be implemented.
- [Amendments to Illinois Municipal Code Provide New Limitations and Requirements Involving Disabled Police Officers](https://ottosenlaw.com/amendments-to-illinois-municipal-code-provide-new-limitations-and-requirements-involving-disabled-police-officers/): 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 law P.A. 103-929, which amends several provisions of the Illinois Municipal Code and will go into effect January 1, 2025. P.A. 103-929 makes several important revisions to current law involving disabled police officers that are similar to provisions that have been in state law for firefighters since 2007. Both municipalities and police pension fund boards will need to understand the implications of these statutory changes for their respective roles in the return to active service process for officers.
- [Students Given Four Day Out-of-School Suspensions Now Must Receive Support Services](https://ottosenlaw.com/students-given-four-day-out-of-school-suspensions-now-must-receive-support-services/): by Kelli Melin
- [Federal Rule Restricts Administrative Requests by Law Enforcement for HIPAA-Protected Medical Records](https://ottosenlaw.com/federal-rule-restricts-administrative-requests-by-law-enforcement-for-hipaa-protected-medical-records/): by Michael Castaldo, III
- [Department of Labor Updates FLSA Exemption Rules:  What Employers Need to Know](https://ottosenlaw.com/department-of-labor-updates-flsa-exemption-rules-what-employers-need-to-know/): by Adam Hudoba
- [New Laws for the Upcoming School Year](https://ottosenlaw.com/new-laws-for-the-upcoming-school-year/): by Maureen A. Lemon
- [Felony Forfeiture of Public Pension Benefits:  A Cautionary Tale](https://ottosenlaw.com/felony-forfeiture-of-public-pension-benefits-a-cautionary-tale/): by Brian Johnston and John Motylinski
- [AI Passes the Bar?](https://ottosenlaw.com/ai-passes-the-bar/): by Joseph S. Davidson
- [General Assembly Passes New Laws Affecting Fire Service](https://ottosenlaw.com/general-assembly-passes-new-laws-affecting-fire-service/): by John H. Kelly
- [Title IX Final Rule](https://ottosenlaw.com/title-ix-final-rule/): by Maureen A. Lemon
- [Appellate Court Interprets Illinois Pension Code’s Requirements for Non-Duty Disability Pension Benefits for Combined Service Firefighter](https://ottosenlaw.com/appellate-court-interprets-illinois-pension-codes-requirements-for-non-duty-disability-pension-benefits-for-combined-service-firefighter/): by John E. Motylinski 
- [Paid Leave for All Workers Act Now Effective](https://ottosenlaw.com/paid-leave-for-all-workers-act-now-effective/): by Ericka J. Thomas and Brian Johnston
- [Federal Court Rules COVID Screenings Non-Compensable Work Time](https://ottosenlaw.com/federal-court-rules-covid-screenings-non-compensable-work-time/): by Adam Hudoba
- [PAC:  Public Bodies May Not Approve Closed Session Minutes in Closed Session](https://ottosenlaw.com/pac-public-bodies-may-not-approve-closed-session-minutes-in-closed-session/): by Michael Castaldo III
- [New in Schools, Part II:  Amendments to Student Administrative Transfer Procedures](https://ottosenlaw.com/new-in-schools-part-ii-amendments-to-student-administrative-transfer-procedures/): by Maureen Anichini Lemon
- [New in Schools, Part I:  Bullying Prevention Law Changes](https://ottosenlaw.com/new-in-schools-part-i-bullying-prevention-law-changes/): by Maureen Anichini Lemon
- [Illinois Supreme Court Affirms Pension Asset Consolidation Is Constitutional](https://ottosenlaw.com/illinois-supreme-court-affirms-pension-asset-consolidation-is-constitutional/): by Hayley Loufek
- [U.S. Department of Labor Proposed Salary Rule Changes](https://ottosenlaw.com/u-s-department-of-labor-proposed-salary-rule-changes/): by Michael Castaldo III
- [Illinois Wrongful Death Plaintiffs Can Now Recover Punitive Damages](https://ottosenlaw.com/illinois-wrongful-death-plaintiffs-can-now-recover-punitive-damages/): by Joseph S. Davidson
- [Design-Build Contracts Allowed for Schools and Municipalities](https://ottosenlaw.com/design-build-contracts-allowed-for-schools-and-municipalities/): by Meganne Trela and Nicholas DeConcilis
- [Court Ousts Pension Trustees Due to Breach of Fiduciary Duties](https://ottosenlaw.com/court-ousts-pension-trustees-due-to-breach-of-fiduciary-duties/): by Adam Hudoba
- [New FOIA Exemption for Medical Records](https://ottosenlaw.com/new-foia-exemption-for-medical-records/): by Ericka J. Thomas
- [Equal Pay Act Amendment to Require Greater Wage Transparency from Local Governments](https://ottosenlaw.com/equal-pay-act-amendment-to-require-greater-wage-transparency-from-local-governments/): by Erin Kiernat
- [Biometric Information Privacy Act Blows Burdens Business](https://ottosenlaw.com/biometric-information-privacy-act-blow-burdens-business/): by W. Anthony Andrews and Joseph S. Davidson
- [Illinois Appellate Court Upholds Asset Consolidation](https://ottosenlaw.com/illinois-appellate-court-upholds-asset-consolidation/): by John E. Motylinski
- [Teacher Reinstated Despite Offensive Social Media Posts](https://ottosenlaw.com/teacher-reinstated-despite-offensive-social-media-posts/): by Maureen A. Lemon
- [Excess Accumulations and YOU!](https://ottosenlaw.com/excess-accumulations-and-you/): by James M. Vasselli and Matthew T. Simo
- [Court Interprets Open Meetings Act Statute of Limitations](https://ottosenlaw.com/court-interprets-open-meetings-act-statute-of-limitations/): by Thomas J. Gilbert and Hayley Loufek
- [How to Handle the Paid Leave for All Workers Act](https://ottosenlaw.com/how-to-handle-the-paid-leave-for-all-workers-act/): by Michael Castaldo III
- [New Duties Imposed by the Decennial Committees on Local Government Act – Impact on Fire Protection Districts](https://ottosenlaw.com/new-duties-imposed-by-the-decennial-committees-on-local-government-act-impact-on-fire-protection-districts/): by Shawn P. Flaherty and John E. Motylinski
- [School Districts Now Exempt from Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act](https://ottosenlaw.com/school-districts-now-exempt-from-decennial-committees-on-local-government-efficiency-act/): by: Megan Lamb
- [Changes to Clear and Present Danger Reporting](https://ottosenlaw.com/changes-to-clear-and-present-danger-reporting/): by Maureen Anichini Lemon
- [Courts Approve Interim Benefit Awards](https://ottosenlaw.com/courts-approve-interim-benefit-awards/): by Meganne Trela
- [Farewell, Latex Gloves!](https://ottosenlaw.com/farewell-latex-gloves/): by James G. Wargo
- [2023 Brings New Laws to Illinois Schools](https://ottosenlaw.com/2023-brings-new-laws-to-illinois-schools/): by Maureen A. Lemon and Hayley Loufek
- [General Assembly Amends the One Day Rest in Seven Act](https://ottosenlaw.com/general-assembly-amends-the-one-day-rest-in-seven-act/): by Adam Hudoba
- [CROWN Act: Stay Out of Your Employees’ Hair](https://ottosenlaw.com/crown-act-stay-out-of-your-employees-hair/): by Joseph S. Davidson
- [The Illinois Workers’ Rights Constitutional Amendment: An Overview](https://ottosenlaw.com/the-illinois-workers-rights-constitutional-amendment-an-overview/): by Erin Kiernat
- [Can an Employee Who Resigns Demand a Due Process Hearing Afterwards? Illinois Appellate Courts: “No”](https://ottosenlaw.com/can-an-employee-who-resigns-demand-a-due-process-hearing-afterwards-illinois-appellate-courts-no/): by Joe Miller and Hayley Loufek
- [Vaccination Mandate Lawsuit Takes a Shot](https://ottosenlaw.com/vaccination-mandate-lawsuit-takes-a-shot/): by W. Anthony Andrews

## Pages
- [Home (Copy)](https://ottosenlaw.com/home-2/)
- [Events](https://ottosenlaw.com/events2/)
- [Terms & Conditions](https://ottosenlaw.com/terms-conditions/): These Website Standard Terms And Conditions (these “Terms” or these “Website Standard Terms And Conditions”) contained herein on this webpage, shall govern your use of this website, including all pages within this website (collectively referred to herein below as this “Website”). These Terms apply in full force and effect to your use of this Website and by using this Website, you expressly accept all terms and conditions contained herein in full. You must not use this Website, if you have any objection to any of these Website Standard Terms And Conditions.
- [Publications](https://ottosenlaw.com/publications/): Dedicated to Serving those Who Serve Others
- [Areas of Practice](https://ottosenlaw.com/areas-of-practice/)
- [Who We Are](https://ottosenlaw.com/who-we-are/): Every law firm's resume speaks of the unwavering commitment of its lawyers to advance the clients' interests in an intelligent, efficient, and economical way.  That was the basis upon which Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd. was formed in 1992, and that remains the cornerstone of the firm today.  What sets Ottosen DiNolfo apart is the fact that many of its lawyers are distinguished, not only as lawyers, but also in other fields.
- [Blog](https://ottosenlaw.com/blog/)
- [Contact](https://ottosenlaw.com/contact-us/): Thank you for visiting Ottosen Dinolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd.  We appreciate your inquiry, and we will follow up within one business day.
- [Home](https://ottosenlaw.com/): Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd. is dedicated to serving those who serve others: municipalities and other local governments, public pension boards, public safety organizations, and school districts. In addition, the firm represents individuals and business entities in a wide variety of legal matters. Founded in 1992, the firm has the breadth and scope of practice that allows us to develop comprehensive solutions for our clients. Nearly 400 government entities throughout Illinois rely on our attorneys to develop solutions that meet their specific legal needs.
- [Privacy Policy](https://ottosenlaw.com/privacy-policy/): This privacy notice discloses the privacy practices for www.ottosenbritz.com. This privacy notice applies solely to information collected by this website. It will notify you of the following: