Education Law Insights

On June 24th, Franczek Attorneys provided a 2026 legislative update webinar, covering K-12 education law-related bills that were passed in the recent legislative session and reviewing some of the key legislative changes in K-12 education law for schools to be mindful of in the coming school year in Illinois. Copyright © 2026, Franczek P.C. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. Thi...

On April 14th, Franczek special education attorneys Dana Fattore Crumley and Kristen Kinast will hosted a webinar "IEP Team Preparation and Participation—Strategies for Compliance that Reduce Risk and Build Parent Trust". This presentation, targeted to IEP team leaders, will provide guidance on both the requirements for each IEP team member's participation in the process and best practices for tea...

On March 25, Franczek Attorneys hosted a webinar that went through the guidelines, discuss best practices for compliance, and address any questions or concerns you might have regarding implementation of digital accessibility requirements for public entities. In 2024, the U.S. DOJ updated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to require all public sector websites, online systems and...

Join Franczek Attorneys Jenny Lee and Mike Warner for a focused discussion delving into the implications of the Supreme Court decision Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College . We will analyze the ruling's impact on affirmative action policies in higher education and discuss its broader ramifications for diversity and inclusion efforts in the workplace.

Join Franczek attorneys  Amy Dickerson  and  James Petrungaro for a focused 30-minute discussion on preparing for spring teacher staffing issues. This discussion will cover tried and true best practices as well as new legislation affecting probationary teacher non-renewals, reductions in force and teacher tenure. 

Join Kaitlin Atlas, Nicki Bazer, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at New Trier School District 203 Peter Tragos for a legal and practical discussion on the shifting cultural times we're living through regarding books bans, curriculum objections, and much more.

Join Franczek attorneys Adam Dauksas, James Petrungaro, and Emily Tulloch for a focused discussion on the implications of the new employment history review process under Faith's Law. 

Join Franczek attorneys Kaitlin Atlas and Jared Costanzo for a discussion on recent amendments to the Part 226 special education regulations.

This episode, Franczek attorneys Kaitlin Atlas and Amy Dickerson discuss top issues that Complaint Managers and Non-Discrimination Coordinators should be aware of in 2023, including recent and anticipated updates from the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights on Title IX, Section 504, and Title VI, and best practices for responding to reports of harassment or discrimination.

Join us for another focused thirty-minute discussion on top issues administrators need to know on key legal topics for schools. In this episode, Franczek attorney Kaitlin Atlas will focus on IEP Best Practices and Ways to Avoid Due Process. We address the recent increase in due process requests state wide and provide best practice tips to keep your school district out of due process. Time will be...

In this episode, Franczek attorneys Melissa Sobota and Caroline Kane focus on Collective Bargaining issues that school districts face, and how to navigate them. We cover best practices for labor relations as well as how to prepare for and handle the unique challenges Districts face in collective bargaining due to the current state of the economy as well as issues of worker burnout.

Join Franczek attorneys  Ares Dalianis ,  Michael Hernandez , and  Scott Metcalf for a discussion on several important developments in property taxes and the impact on Illinois school districts. In this episode, they will cover recent legislative changes directly effecting school district business operations, the latest on property tax incentives and what you need to know about them, when to expec...

In this episode, we offer another focused thirty-minute discussion on top issues administrators need to know on key legal topics for schools. With the school year beginning and student registration under way, this discussion will focus on key issues surrounding student residency and homeless students. Join Franczek attorneys Kaitlin Atlas, Jared Costanzo, and Koga Ndikum-Moffor for a discussion of...

Join Franczek Partners Dana Fattore Crumley and Amy Dickerson for a podcast addressing frequently asked questions regarding school threat assessment procedures. All Illinois school districts are required to have a threat assessment procedure in place, and prior to the start of each school year must now file a copy of that procedure with a local law enforcement agency and the regional office of edu...

Join Franczek's Title IX Team as we review the major changes contained in the proposed Title IX rules issued by the Department of Education. We provide a summary of the changes, answer key questions top of mind for school administrators, and identify the key issues for what these mean for your educational institutions.

Join us for a COVID update where we discuss current IDPH and ISBE guidance, executive orders and more, and what it all means for your school communities. With the 2022-2023 school year right around the corner, Franczek attorneys Shelli Anderson, Nicki Bazer, Amy Kosanovich Dickerson, and Jennifer Smith will review the legal landscape on COVID that schools will have to navigate and address critical...

In this episode, we offer another focused thirty-minute discussion on the top financial and operational issues administrators and board members need to know.  As school districts enter the summer construction season and begin preparing budgets for the next school year, Franczek attorneys Scott Metcalf and Ares Dalianis will discuss the latest developments impacting tax collection, budgeting, and c...

Join us as we offer another focused thirty-minute webinar identifying the top three issues administrators need to know on key legal topics for schools. This month, as the school year winds down and districts look ahead to next year, Franczek attorneys Jennifer Smith and Amy Dickerson will review the most critical staff trainings districts should provide, procedures to have in place, and discussion...

Join us for a discussion of student restraint. In this episode, Franczek attorneys Jennifer Smith and Emily Tulloch will help your team identify when the new RTO requirements are triggered and when they are not.

In this episode, join us for a discussion of curriculum objections. Franczek attorneys Dana Fattore Crumley, Nicki Bazer, and Amy Dickerson will identify the top three considerations when establishing your schools' procedures for reviewing curriculum objections and best practices for processing such objections.

In this episode, Education Law Insights Podcast host Kendra Yoch is joined Franczek Partner Scott Metcalf to discuss important business-related issues that school leadership face such as construction contracts, property tax issues, and education foundations.

In this episode, Franczek partners Kendra Yoch and Jennifer Smith discuss Title IX Investigations involving LGBTQ+ parties and understanding Title IX regulations as they pertain to the LGBTQ+ community. 

Join our regular COVID-19 panel of Franczek attorneys, including Nicki Bazer, Jennifer Smith, and Kendra Yoch as we discuss the latest information that schools need to know surrounding the Executive Order and updated ISBE and IDPH guidance. We discuss the new shortened timeframes for exclusion as well as updates on face coverings, test-to-stay, and temporary school closures, among other key topics...

Inequitable funding impacts educational programming and student outcomes. Illinois has historically had one of the most inequitable distribution of education dollars in the country. In this episode, we explore how the Evidence Based Funding formula works and the impact since the legislation passed in 2017. We are happy to welcome Robin Steans and Melissa Figueira of Advance Illinois to help us und...

This episode dives into ways that schools can support students in exploring and securing post-secondary options and in taking steps to reach their college and career goals in ways that are inclusive and equity-driven. We are excited to welcome Aide Acosta, Chief College Officer at Noble Network of Charter Schools, and Candace Kyles, Senior Director of College Graduation Office at University of Chi...