In 2017, the Supreme Court issued an opinion, Fry v. Napoleon, stating that unless parents/guardians seek relief that is also available under the IDEA, they need not exhaust IDEA procedures by filing a complaint for a due process hearing before […]
Most of the cases the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) handles involve disability discrimination, including claims that a school failed to implement an IEP or Section 504 plan. In our experience, however, OCR is often an afterthought […]
Partner Ares Dalianis Published in the Daily Herald
March 25, 2019
The Daily Herald published a guest editorial by Franczek partner and Education Practice Group co-chair Ares Dalianis on Sunday, entitled “Bill needed to fix the ‘backward’ property assessment process.” The editorial addresses legislation proposed by newly elected Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi. As […]
As April 1 H1-B Application Deadline Looms, Remember Changes to Rules and Lottery Process
March 22, 2019
When the USCIS begins accepting applications for H-1B visas on April 1, it will do so under new rules that bring significant changes to the H-1B lottery process. Specifically, changes to the order in which the H-1B lottery selection is […]
More Changes to the Length of the Instructional Day May Be Coming for Illinois Schools
March 22, 2019
As we reported in December 2018, changes to the length of the instructional day for students in Illinois brought confusion and concern. Public Act 100—0465, or the Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act, removed Section 18-8.05 of the Illinois School Code, which […]
Illinois Appellate Court Sheds Light on When Records Are Not “Reasonably Accessible” On A Public Body’s Website Under FOIA
March 21, 2019
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was amended in December, 2014 to provide that a public body is not required to copy a public record that is published on the public body’s website. 5 ILCS 140/8.5. The exception requires […]
Have You Reported? Submissions on Grandfathered Contracts and Agreements Due in 10 Days
March 19, 2019
If you haven’t already done so, make sure to report “grandfathered” CBA and employment contract/policy information to TRS by March 29, 2019, to safeguard application of the 6% excess salary cap. TRS considers CBAs and contracts entered into, amended, or renewed prior […]
In the realm of special education, the use of specialized jargon and unique terminology it the norm. Whether it’s terms that seem basic to us now, like “IEP” and “LRE,” or more of-the-minute phrases like “significant disproportionality,” those of us […]