School Law Advisor Blog

New Laws Affecting Schools

The General Assembly passed many bills which impact school districts this spring, and the Governor has had a busy August signing these bills. Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk and Miller, Ltd. will keep you updated on these new statutes throughout this fall, but there are a few that should be on your radar immediately:

No News from ISBE and IDPH - Things to Remember as Restrictions Ease, and Planning for 2021-2022

As COVID infection rates in Illinois have continued to plummet, and even as the Delta variant of COVID becomes more prevalent in the United States, with vaccines widely available and nearly half of Illinois residents fully vaccinated, Illinois has begun to return to some degree of normal, with face coverings becoming less prevalent in public and most business back to operating at full or near-full capacity.

Managing an Open Meeting Effectively

As schools have become the center of much public and political debate, Boards are well-advised to consider careful and appropriate measures to keep their meetings safe and well-organized. We have 10 quick tips for improved meeting management:

Criminal Background Checks - New Requirements

As you continue your hiring processes for the coming school year, please pay close attention to the changes related to criminal background checks pursuant to PA 101-656, which was effective March 23, 2021. PA 101-656 amended the Illinois Human Rights Act to add “conviction record” as a protected class akin to race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, or – as previously provided in the act – arrest record. 

New Joint Guidance from ISBE and IDPH, Things to Remember as Restrictions are Eased

As COVID infection rates in Illinois have plummeted to their lowest level since August, ISBE and IDPH have released a slew of new guidance and information, aimed at easing restrictions and complying with the U.S. Department of Education’s invective to return students to in-person instruction as soon as possible.

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