Local Government Law Bulletin
SCOTUS Declines Review of Highland Park’s Assault Weapons Ban
On Monday, the United States Supreme Court declined to take the appeal of the case of Friedman v. City of Highland Park. We previously reported on this case and its impact on several Illinois municipalities, as well as similar firearm regulations in several other...
Key Employees Still Overtime Exempt?
In the summer of 2015, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) indicated proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) concerning overtime exemption regulations. Specifically, the DOL proposed doubling the minimum salary requirement for an employee to be exempt...
Illinois Governor Approves Bill Disbursing Funds to Municipalities
Today, the Illinois Legislature passed Public Act 99-0491, allowing for the disbursement of much needed funds for municipalities. Specifically, hundreds of millions of dollars will be released for areas that are of particular importance for local governments. The...
First and 10: Illinois High School Football Gets a Fresh Set of Downs.
The nation’s first class-action lawsuit against a state sports governing body, the Illinois High School Association (“IHSA”), was recently dismissed by Cook County Judge Leroy Martin Jr. The Plaintiffs in the case, who filed suit on behalf of players, wanted court...
Illinois Appellate Court Reverses Conviction Based Upon Dress of Officer
Last week, the Illinois First District Appellate Court reversed a conviction for aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer based upon what the officer was wearing. The statute, which was the basis of the Court’s decision, requires that police officers...
Illinois House Passes Bill Allowing for Release of Municipal Funds
This week, the Illinois House of Representatives passed a bill allowing for the release of funds owed to municipalities. Specifically, the Bill makes appropriations to the Department of Transportation from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund for specified payments to local...
New PAC Opinion Finds Governor Rauner’s Calendar To Be A Public Record
Last month, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office released a Public Access Opinion indicating that the Governor’s Office improperly redacted information from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Specifically, the Public Access Opinion found that Governor...
Illinois Legislature Clarifies Severance Agreements under FOIA
Last month, Governor Rauner approved a bill making changes to Illinois’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Specifically, this new law requires that all severance agreements be discoverable pursuant to a FOIA request. As such, the new law defines a “severance...
SCOTUS Takes Aim at Highland Park’s Assault Weapons Ban
The United States Supreme Court will decide whether to review the validity of a two-year-old weapons ordinance in Highland Park that bans the possession of semi-automatic weapons that can hold more than 10 rounds in a single ammunition clip or magazine. The ordinance...