The Pledge of Allegiance survived review by a divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which has jurisdiction over 11 Western states. In Newdow v. Rio Linda Union School District the atheist parents of a number […]
Category: Publications
The U.S. Department of Education recently indicated plans to intensify civil rights oversight and enforcement efforts by its Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The OCR division of the Department of Education enforces federal laws prohibiting discrimination against students based on […]
Seventh Circuit Finds that School District is not Liable for Sexual Harassment by a Former Teacher
February 16, 2010
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, in Jane Doe-2 v. McLean County Unit District No. 5, recently rejected the claim of a Urbana School District student that McLean School District was responsible for the sexual harassment perpetrated against her by a […]
Lately we have received a number of inquiries regarding school fee waivers. At the beginning of the current 2009-2010 school year, legislation was passed (Public Act 96-0360) allowing school districts to establish their own application process for determining and verifying […]
Illinois Appellate Court Clarifies OMA’s Special Meeting Notice and Open-and-Convenient Meeting Requirements
January 14, 2010
A recent Illinois Appellate Court case clarifies a public body’s obligations for publishing notice and conducting special meetings under the Illinois Open Meetings Act (“OMA”). In In re Petition to Disconnect Certain Territory Commonly Known as the Foxfield Subdivision and Adjoining […]
On December 23, 2009 the Governor signed into law an amendment to Section 10-20.21 of the School Code that allows school districts to electronically communicate, accept, and open competitive bids for anything other than construction projects. P.A. 96-841 became effective immediately. Note […]
“Race to the Top” Initiatives Protect Principal, Teacher and Superintendent Evaluations from Disclosure Under FOIA
January 2, 2010
On January 15, 2010, the Governor signed into law the Performance Evaluation Reform Act, Public Act 096-0861, which became effective immediately. The Reform Act makes significant changes to the Illinois School Code in an effort to implement the Illinois State Board […]
Prevailing Wage Act Amendment Requires Public Bodies to Notify Contractors When Work Is Not Bid
December 14, 2009
Recent amendments to the Prevailing Wage Act will require public bodies to provide notice to contractors of the requirements of the Act when work is awarded without a public bid, contract or project specification. Failure to provide this notice may […]