Publications

Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Public Employees

Charitable solicitors allowed on public roadways. PA 097-0692 August 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 404 The Illinois General Assembly has amended the Counties Code to restrict the regulation of charitable solicitations (55 ILCS 5/5-1182 new).
Crimes against postal workers can carry stiffer penalties. PA 097-0693 August 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 404 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Unified Code of Correction to allow for more severe penalties in relation to crimes against postal workers (730 ILCS 5/5-5-3.2).
Victims of 'emergency'-related training injuries may qualify for benefits By Adam W. Lasker August 2012 Lawpulse, Page 398 Public safety workers hurt during training can get healthcare benefits, but only if the injuries were caused by emergencies and not planned activities, the supreme court rules.
State agencies must use direct deposits to make employee payroll and some other payments. PA 097-0348 December 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 610 Illinois lawmakers have amended the State Comptroller Act to require state agencies to use direct deposits in making payments to its employees and some vendors. (15 ILCS 405/9.03)
DCFS may not employ sexually dangerous persons. PA 097-0103 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 The Children and Family Services Act has been amended to prohibit the Department of Children and Family Services from employing sexually dangerous persons.
Public employee benefits protected during furlough. PA 096-1535 June 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 286 The Illinois Pension Code has been amended to enable public workers to establish creditable service and earn credits in the public employee retirement system during furloughs.
Medically necessary physical therapy and occupational therapy covered under state employee benefits program. PA 096-1227 February 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 Illinois lawmakers have amended the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 to expand the state employee benefits program to cover medically necessary physical therapy and occupational therapy. 5 ILCS 375/6.11A.
State may recover payments for state workers injured by third party. PA 096-1430 December 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 616 The Illinois General Assembly amended the Public Employee Disability Act to allow the state to seek reimbursement of the benefits it must pay to an injured state worker when a third party is responsible for the employee's disability. 5/ILCS 345/1. 
Greater protection for Illinois employees; new penalties when employers fail to pay. PA 096-1407 October 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 508 Illinois lawmakers have put into place greater security measures for Illinois employees who are not receiving their wages.
Illinois amends layoff protocol for merit compensation/salary grade employees February 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (the department) modified the regulations concerning the layoff of merit compensation system employees of state agencies. 
The term "emergency" in the Employee Benefits Act encompasses a variety of situations January 2009 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 On November 4, 2008, the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Lake County finding that the plaintiff was entitled to benefits under the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (Employee Benefits Act), 820 ILCS 320/1 et seq.
Substance Abuse Prevention on Public Works Projects Act passed. PA 095-0635 August 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 390 Illinois lawmakers passed the Substance Abuse Prevention on Public Works Projects Act. 820 ILCS 130/5.5. 
Public Employee Disability Act calls for disbursement of benefits beyond one calendar year August 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 404 On June 2, 2006, the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, affirmed the decision of the Circuit Court of McLean County, construing the time limitation under the Public Employee Disability Act (Act), 5 ILCS 345/1 et seq, to apply to the time the employee is unable to perform, notwithstanding the calendar period of time that has passed since a duty-related injury.
Illinois Personnel Code updated to include additional positions July 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 334 The Illinois Department of Central Management Services added a new section to part 305 of title 80, 80 Ill Adm Code 305. 
Boundaries set for use of administrative leave October 2005 Illinois Law Update, Page 506 The Department of Central Management Services ("Department") has amended Part 302 of Title 80 to clearly outline proper use of administrative leave. 
Where the source of a state employee's breached duty is his or her status as a professional, rather than his or her employment by the state, sovereign immunity will not attach. June 2004 Illinois Law Update, Page 292 On March 18, 2004, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the appellate court, which reversed the trial court's grant of summary judgment to the defendants on the basis of sovereign immunity. 
State Lawsuit Immunity Act opens Illinois to lawsuits from state employees By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2003 Lawpulse, Page 486 The new law, which allows state employees to bring race, age, and other discrimination suits, has claimants' lawyers cheering.
Organ donor leave implemented August 2003 Illinois Law Update, Page 384 The Illinois Department of Central Management Services recently adopted amendments to implement the mandates of the Organ Donor Leave Act (5 ILCS 327).
County must pay judgment against sheriff By Helen W. Gunnarsson May 2003 Lawpulse, Page 220 The Illinois Supreme Court recently held that a county must pay judgments entered against a sheriff's office acting in an official capacity.
Public-employee pension pitfall By Helen W. Gunnarsson March 2003 Lawpulse, Page 110 Teachers, police officers, and other government workers charged with crimes related to their official duties have one thing in common ; they all face the loss of their pensions, a fact their lawyers should keep in mind.
Department of Human Services employees added to victims of aggravated assault and battery P.A. 92-0841 December 2002 Illinois Law Update, Page 634 On August 22, 2002, Gov. George H. Ryan signed into law Senate Bill 2030, which amends the Criminal Code of 1961 to include employees of the Department of Human Services (DHS) among the victims of aggravated assault or battery.
Legislation provides for funding of public defender salaries P.A. 92-508 March 2002 Illinois Law Update, Page 120 Legislation recently signed into law by Gov. George H. Ryan amends the Counties Code by requiring the state of Illinois to pay 66 2/3 percent of a public defender's annual salary in every county within the state.
Disaster volunteers December 2001 Illinois Law Update, Page 624 On September 14, 2001, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services adopted an emergency amendment to section 303 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 80 Ill Adm Code 303.
Police officer not eligible for annuity and pension benefits due to his felony narcotics convictions as they were sufficiently "related to or connected with his service as an officer" November 2001 Illinois Law Update, Page 568 On August 29, 2001, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, reversed the trial court's decision reinstating the plaintiff's annuity and pension benefits after the Retirement Board of the Policemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund denied his application for reinstatement of those benefits.
State reimbursement to counties for portion of public defender salaries; H.B. 549 June 2001 Illinois Law Update, Page 286 Currently, state funding for indigent defense of criminal charges is available only in capital cases.
The Lawyer's Journal By Bonnie C. McGrath April 2001 Column, Page 166 Police can keep suspects out of their own homes; adoption by one spouse only; arbitration clauses and fee agreements; and more.
Benefits extended to non-union employees January 2001 Illinois Law Update, Page 14 On October 27, 2000, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services adopted new amendments to section 303 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 80 Ill Adm Code 303.
Employee's comments regarding employer's possible violation of food inspection rules were protected speech November 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 624 On September 5, 2000, the seventh circuit court of appeals reversed the district court's grant of summary judgment to the defendants, Hasara and Danner, officials of the city of Springfield, on Myers claim under 42 USC § 1983 alleging violations of her constitutional rights.
Day labor service registration August 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 438 On April 17, 2000, the Illinois Department of Labor adopted eight new sections to section 260 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 56 Ill Adm Code 260.
EDGE tax credits to attract firms August 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 438 On April 19, 2000, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (department) adopted new rules to section 527 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 14 Ill Adm Code 527.
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