The $10 million commaBy Rex GradelessMay 2017On March 13, 2017, the First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s decision because of a missing comma. This missing comma created a significant-enough ambiguity within Maine’s overtime wage law leading to the reversal. The remanded matter may cost a Maine dairy company $10 million in overtime wages to its employees.
Demystifying “unduly burdensome” under FOIABy Robert L. MillerMarch 2017The Freedom of Information Act provides that every person is entitled to complete information about Illinois governmental agencies. However, the Act includes various types of exclusions including approximately 70 enumerated exemptions, an unknown number of exemptions under the umbrella of 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(a), and the “unduly burdensome” exemption.
The Illinois Supreme Court provides guidance on the Open Meetings ActBy Barbara GoebenMay 2017This year, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an opinion in Bd. of Educ. of Springfield Sch. Dist. No. 186 v. Attorney Gen. of Illinois, affirming the lower court’s reversal of the Attorney General’s conclusion that the Springfield School Board violated the Open Meetings Act.
In-sites: Deposition tipsMarch 2017A look at some great articles and blogs on taking depositions and preparing witnesses for depositions.
Jury instruction update: “Do you hear what I hear?”By Hon. Barbara CrowderSeptember 2017A discussion of the 2017 changes made thus far to Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction for Civil Cases since the revisions focus on language access.
New Illinois MCLE requirementsBy Emily R. VivianSeptember 2017Based on a recommendation from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, the Illinois Supreme Court has amended Supreme Court Rule 794(d) to require that, as part of their 6-hours of professional responsibility, lawyers must complete one hour in diversity and inclusion and one hour in mental health and substance abuse.
Sanctuary citiesBy Pat LordMay 2017In response to the extraordinary events that have taken place since President Trump took office, counties, cities, and villages across the country are evaluating whether to take official action to designate themselves as a Sanctuary City and wondering if they do whether they’ll lose federal funding.
Stay or go? Ethical public service to elected leadershipBy Peter J. OrlowiczDecember 2017What happens when the way we are directed to carry out our duties seems inconsistent with the public trust and public interest we are charged with maintaining?
