Local Government Law Bulletin

Amendment to School Safety Drill Act Requires Student Participation in Annual Active Shooter Drill

March 13, 2019

On January 1, 2019, Public Act 100-0996 (the “Act”) went into effect, amending the existing School Safety Drill Act by...

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Paramedics Now Covered Employees Under Public Safety Employee Benefits Act

February 18, 2019

Public Act 100-1132, which took effect on November 28, 2018, amends the definition of “firefighter” under the Public Safety Employee...

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Open Meetings Act Requires Any Rules Limiting Public Comment Be Established and Recorded

February 18, 2019

In January, the Office of the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC) published Public Access Opinion 19-002 in which it...

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Federal Appellate Court Finds Government Officials Cannot Block Citizens on Social Media

January 31, 2019

On January 7, 2019, the Fourth Federal Circuit Court held that a government official’s social media page was the equivalent...

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PAC Opinion Requires Disclosure of Police Body Camera Footage Even If It Has Not Been Flagged

January 31, 2019

In January, the Office of the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC) published Public Access Opinion 19-001 which clarified that...

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Law Increases Burden on Law Enforcement Seeking Civil Seizure and Forfeiture of Assets

January 3, 2019

Public Act 100-0512, the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act (the “Act”) went into effect January 1, 2019. This Act significantly...

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Law Creates New Penalty for Failure To Pay Court-Ordered Obligations

January 3, 2019

On January 1, 2019, Public Act 100-1004 (the “Act”) went into effect, increasing penalties for drivers who fail to pay...

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Government Severance Pay Act Limits Severance Compensation to 20 Weeks, Prohibits Severance for Those Fired for Misconduct

November 30, 2018

Public Act 100-0895, which takes effect on January 1, 2019, limits the authority of non-home rule government employers to offer...

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Law Allows Law Enforcement To Petition for Emergency Firearms Restraining Orders

November 30, 2018

Public Act 100-0607, the Firearms Restraining Order Act (the “Act”), goes into effect January 1, 2019 and allows law enforcement,...

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Citations for Violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code No Longer Require Violator’s Signature

November 13, 2018

On January 1, 2019, Public Act 100-0674 which amends the Illinois Vehicle Code goes into effect. Pursuant to this amendment...

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Public Body May Not Discuss Duties of Elected Official in Closed Session When It Cannot Remove that Official from Office

November 13, 2018

In October, the Office of the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC) published Public Access Opinion 18-015 in which it...

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PAC Opinion Underscores Importance of Having a Factual, Articulable Basis for Denying a FOIA Request as Unduly Burdensome

November 1, 2018

In October, the Office of the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC) published Public Access Opinion 18-013 which reiterated the...

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