The COVID-19 paid leave law has raised both legal and practical questions for school administrators. To further assist with following the mandates of the law, we have prepared a model form that schools can use when receiving...more
On March 4, 2022, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2022-07 which has implications for Illinois schools as they continue to grapple with this phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most notably, the latest Executive Order...more
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
In the wake of last week’s Appellate Court ruling, Governor Pritzker and the other state defendants have taken their appeal of the February 4, 2022 TRO regarding school COVID-19 mitigation measures to the Illinois Supreme...more
2/28/2022
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Governor Pritzker ,
Health and Safety ,
IL Supreme Court ,
Illinois ,
Leave to Appeal ,
Masks ,
Mootness ,
Public Schools ,
School Districts ,
Students ,
TRO ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
Just before midnight yesterday, the Appellate Court issued its decision on the appeal of the February 4, 2022 TRO enjoining the Governor from enforcing certain COVID-19 mitigation measures including universal masking. With...more
2/18/2022
/ Appeals ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Educational Institutions ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Masks ,
Mootness ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Risk Mitigation ,
School Policies ,
Students ,
Teachers ,
TRO ,
Workplace Safety
Since yesterday, there have been many reports about the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) vote against extending IDPH Emergency Rules regarding masking, vaccine and testing requirements in schools. This has...more
2/16/2022
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Educational Institutions ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Masks ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Quarantine ,
School Policies ,
Students ,
Teachers ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
On Friday, a court ruling in Springfield resulted in a temporary restraining order enjoining the Governor from enforcing certain COVID-19 mitigation measures including universal masking. Approximately 150 of Illinois’ 840...more
2/7/2022
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Educational Institutions ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Masks ,
Motion To Enjoin ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
School Districts ,
Students ,
Teachers ,
TRO ,
Workplace Safety
On Thursday night, October 28, 2021, the Illinois General Assembly passed House Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1169, which amends the Health Care Right to Conscience Act (HCRCA) to allow employers the right to “take any...more
Late Friday, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2021-24 requiring schools to exclude students and school personnel for COVID-19 diagnosis, exposure, or symptoms. School districts, not the local health department, are...more
9/21/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Executive Orders ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Quarantine ,
Sick Employees ,
Students ,
Teachers ,
Workplace Safety
Last week, ISBE published Emergency Rules regarding Mandatory Vaccinations for School Personnel. The Emergency Regulations clarify the requirements under Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2021-22. ...more
9/20/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Essential Workers ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Teachers ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
On May 13, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated guidance advising that fully-vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physical distance in any setting, except where required by...more
On June 23, 2020, the Illinois State Board of Education (“ISBE”) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) released a guidance document addressing return to school during Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan this...more
6/29/2020
/ Best Practices ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Health and Safety ,
ISBE ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
School Closures ,
Social Distancing ,
Students ,
Workplace Safety
Since the first reported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019, school districts in Illinois have been preparing for a potential outbreak within the state. In so doing, school...more
3/12/2020
/ Absenteeism ,
Best Practices ,
China ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Crisis Management ,
Educational Institutions ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Public Health ,
Risk Management ,
Students ,
Teachers ,
Workplace Safety