We previously shared our School Law Legislative Update, focused on new Illinois school-related laws that became effective January 1, 2023. From that update, our team at Franczek P.C. has compiled a narrower list of those laws...more
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) recently announced a resolution agreement with the Los Angeles Unified School District largely addressing issues related to OCR’s finding that the District...more
5/17/2022
/ California ,
City of Los Angeles ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Education ,
Educational Institutions ,
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) ,
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) ,
Infectious Diseases ,
OCR ,
Public Schools ,
Remote Learning ,
Section 504 ,
Special Education ,
Students
Schools and districts throughout the State – and country – are beginning this school week on the heels of a flurry of announcements made last Friday by the CDC, the Illinois Supreme Court, Governor Pritzker and ISBE,...more
2/28/2022
/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Health and Safety ,
Illinois ,
Infectious Diseases ,
ISBE ,
Masks ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Public Schools ,
School Districts ,
Students ,
TRO ,
Workplace Safety
Governor Pritzker has ordered a vaccine mandate for all teachers and staff at pre-K-12 schools, as well as students and personnel at higher education institutions. Under the Executive Order, all pre-K-12 school personnel must...more
8/30/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Essential Workers ,
Executive Orders ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
ISBE ,
Private Schools ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Public Schools ,
State Contractors ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
Earlier yesterday Governor Pritzker announced a mandate for all teachers and staff at pre-K-12 schools, as well as students and personnel at higher education institutions, to be vaccinated. ...more
8/27/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Essential Workers ,
Executive Orders ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Private Schools ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Public Schools ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
Yes, but not like last fall. On May 19, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education adopted a Resolution Supporting In-Person Learning. The Resolution points to a definite shift to return the vast majority of students to...more
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has again updated its COVID-19 Interim Exclusion Guidance as well as its general Interim Guidance for Pre-K-12 Schools. The updated guidance documents include several revisions,...more
10/27/2020
/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Contact Tracing ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Educational Institutions ,
Guidance Update ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Public Schools ,
School Closures ,
Students ,
Virus Testing
In the week since the Governor of Illinois shut down Illinois public schools in response to the growing threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), school districts across the state have risen to the challenge of educating...more
Candice Jackson, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights’ Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, recently provided a “new internal guidance” memorandum to staff that significantly changes the Office...more
On August 1, 2016, the United States Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and Office of Special Education Programs issued a Dear Colleague Letter suggesting that, in many cases, a...more
Two recent decisions from our neighbors in Indiana and Michigan provide guidance on what courts may expect from school districts responding to allegations of sexual assault. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of...more
An Illinois Appellate Court recently overturned the 2012 dismissal of a teacher who was terminated for being under the influence while at work. The opinion provides instructive guidance on how courts closely analyze a school...more
As we reported last month, recently enacted Public Act 098-0648 gives limited recall rights to honorably dismissed teachers placed in Group 2 who have one “needs improvement” rating. Effective July 1, 2014, Public Act...more
As we previously reported in a FR Alert, the new School Administrator Reporting of Mental Health Clear and Present Danger Determinations Law requires public school principals and chief administrative officers of private...more
On January 1, 2014, legislative changes made by Public Act 98-0513 (Act) to the tenure, layoff and impasse bargaining process originally set out in Senate Bill 7 will go into effect.
- Tenure Portability. The Act...more
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new recommended guidelines to schools on how to serve students with food allergies. The Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in Schools and...more
The Firearm Concealed Carry Act, Public Act 98-0063, which became effective July 9, 2013, contains a new reporting requirement for school principals of which all school districts and private schools should be aware. Under the...more
The Illinois Appellate Court recently held that a superintendent, principal, and board of education were immune from liability for a parent’s claims regarding the alleged bullying of her daughter. In Hascall v. Williams,...more
On August 20, 2013, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) released a “Dear Colleague Letter” providing an overview of school districts’ responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities...more
Governor Quinn signed into law Public Act 98-0048, amending the School Safety Drills Act to require schools to conduct a school shooting drill at least once a school year for each school building within a district that houses...more
Last fall, the Illinois Appellate Court issued opinions on two different cases involving the tort immunity of school districts. In both cases, the court declined to find the schools liable....more