2000 Articles
Americans with Disabilities Act
June 2000
During 1998-1999 term, the United States Supreme Court resolved three pending issues with regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq. ("ADA"): (1) the impact of an employee's receipt of disability benefits upon an ADA claim;
Athletic participation
June 2000
A learning disabled student challenged Indiana High School Athletic Association's ("IHSA") rule that limits a student's athletic eligibility to the first eight semesters following the student's commencement of the ninth grade.
Employee drug testing
June 2000
On October 4, 1999, the United States Supreme Court declined to review a decision of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding suspicionless drug testing of public school teachers in certain circumstances.
Fair Labor Standards Act— athletic trainers
June 2000
The Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that athletic trainers are covered under the professional exemption from overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA").
Finance
June 2000
Illinois "cash basis" school districts do not violate §17-1 of The School Code by adopting their tax levy in any given year before adopting a budget for the next ensuing fiscal year.
Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board case summary January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999
March 2000
The underlying complaint alleged that Public Act 89-15 (section 4.5 of the IELRA) violated the plaintiffs' rights under the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment because it was a thinly disguised mechanism for racial discrimination and discrimination based on political activity or affiliation, and that it deprived them of their property interest in continued employment without due process.
Immunity from suit—personal injury
June 2000
The Illinois Appellate Court, Second District, affirmed a Lake County judge's dismissal of a personal injury claim against the Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL") on the grounds of tort immunity.
Magnet schools—use of race
June 2000
The Court of Appeals of the Fourth Circuit ruled that school district's refusal to allow a student to transfer to a magnet school because of his race violated the Constitution.
School vouchers
June 2000
In two separate lawsuits, individual taxpayers challenged the Education Expense Credit Act (P.A. 91-9).
Sexual harassment—student-to-student
June 2000
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a school district can be found liable for monetary damages under Title IX for its failure to respond adequately to a student's complaints of severe and offensive sexual harassment by a fellow student.
Special education
June 2000
The Supreme Court held that one-on-one continuous nursing is a "related service" under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, making public schools responsible to provide such care to students who need it during school hours.
Student discipline
June 2000
A federal district court granted Decatur school district's motion to dismiss the complaint of several students expelled from school for violation of school rules.
Teacher dismissal
June 2000
In a recent decision, a tenured teacher was dismissed for allegations involving sexual harassment without a prior notice to remedy having been issued by the board of education.
TITLE IX Sex equity in athletics
June 2000
Illinois State University's elimination of its men's wrestling and soccer teams as the means to comply with Title IX was permissible according to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Tuition reimbursement
June 2000
A student at Herrin School District No. 4 was expelled from school for possession of controlled substances.
Veto session update
March 2000
Creates the Public Construction Contract Act to mandate that all public construction contracts (excluding the State of Illinois and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District) over $75,000 must contain provisions that allow for contractors to recover increased costs resulting from "unforeseen latent or subsurface conditions.
Voice of the chair
By Vickie Gillio
June 2000
As I pass the baton of leadership to Philip Milsk who has been appointed chair for this next year, I thought I'd take a few moments to reflect on the issues raised in my initial Voice of the Chair.
Voice of the chair
March 2000
In my pre-millennium voice of the chair, I addressed the very real societal and legal issues affecting our educational institutions, teachers, students, and society.
