As the Illinois COVID-19 positivity rate continues to rise, the Illinois Department of Public Health, Cook County, and the City of Chicago have asked the public to limit activities outside the home to essential activities as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday. Unlike the stay-at-home orders from this Spring, these recommendations are “advisory” in […]
Let’s Talk Turkey: What Recent Stay-At-Home Advisories Do and Don’t Mean for Schools
November 13, 2020
With COVID-19 rates rising and warnings about risks of holiday and family gatherings abounding, it is no surprise that state and local leaders are looking for ways to flatten the curve as we head into Thanksgiving break. In the past few days, we have heard […]
Proper Equipment and Supervision Saves Illinois School District from Cheerleading Claim
November 12, 2020
Also authored by Mikaila John* The Illinois Appellate Court recently issued a decision that reminds school leaders of the importance proper equipment and supervision can play in defending against lawsuits for injuries in athletics and activities. In Biancorosso v. Troy Community Consolidated School District, a sixth-grade student was injured while performing a stunt during a […]
What To Do About Fraudulent Unemployment Claims
November 12, 2020
Sometimes, crisis brings out the best in people. Unfortunately, it also often brings out the worst. That has certainly been the case with the ongoing pandemic. While not an entirely new phenomenon, fraudulent unemployment claims have become a widespread phenomenon […]
What Will a Biden-Harris Administration Mean for Special Education?
November 12, 2020
Originally posted on our Special Education Law Insights blog. While much of the talk about Biden’s education agenda has quickly turned to who he will appoint to replace Betsy DeVos and how he will manage the COVID-19 pandemic, both critical issues for sure, we […]
For Student Discipline for COVID, Notice and Consistency are Key
November 9, 2020
On October 21, 2020, a New York state trial court judge delivered a significant decision involving the enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions in colleges and universities. In the Santonocito v. New York University, the court found that a private university that […]
Block or Charge? Deciding Whether to Start Basketball in November
November 5, 2020
As promised, following our October 29 alert we more closely examined the conflict between the Governor’s order delaying basketball to Spring and the IHSA’s decision to proceed as scheduled in November. Our review identified a number of issues that must be […]
Are the New Title IX Regulations Retroactive? One Court Says Yes
November 4, 2020
Originally posted on our Title IX Insights Blog. When it issued its final Title IX regulations in May 2020, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights said in the preamble to the rules that it would not enforce […]