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June 2026
Dear Readers of the Extra Mile:
It’s been a cool spring (at least until recently). Still, flowers were purchased at Home Depot and Lowe’s, gardens planted, and homes beautified. The Cubs and Sox played in front of sold out crowds at Comiskey Park, with the Sox taking the series 2-1 with a walk off two-run homer in the bottom of the tenth. Meanwhile, the Cards are off to a surprisingly strong start, and the College World Series begins Friday in Omaha after exciting regionals and super regionals.
With that aside, the most important point is that the school year is over. All the personnel matters, ISBE complaints, due process hearings, OCR investigations, and labor negotiations won't go away, but the filing of new ones will markedly slow (at least until August).
On the other hand, since our last issue, the Illinois legislature finished its session (failing to take action on Chicago Bears legislation) by enacting new laws with major impact for school personnel and special education administrators. We look at the new legislation below.
You will find this issue a bit longer than normal due to the number of new developments. Don't worry, we will address all this together with practical recommendations at the HLERK/IASPA Year in Review Conferences in October (see below).
We wish you a pleasant last few days of spring and a wonderful summer.
Transgender Student Rights Lawsuit Filed in Illinois
As you know, we have been carefully following the California litigation in Mirabelli v. Olson ($4.5 million in attorneys' fees awarded, so far). The Plaintiff-teachers in Mirabelli sought relief from a California school district and the State regarding their policy on notification to parents about transgender students.
Now an Illinois school district is facing the same issue. Local media is reporting that the district, allegedly in disregard of its own policy, excluded parents from notice or meaningful participation regarding their transgender students while at school. The suit seeks "class action" status on behalf of all similarly situated parents in the District. We will keep you apprised of the litigation as it proceeds.
Contact Michelle Todd with your transgender student rights issues.
Special Education Connection
Speaking of Michelle, we’re pleased to share that she was featured in LRP's Special Education Connection for her expertise on helping school districts prevent Section 504 procedural errors.
Michelle outlined strategies for strengthening compliance, including establishing districtwide procedures, avoiding “collapsed” evaluations, and ensuring accommodations are specific and aligned with student needs.
She emphasized that accommodations should be thoughtfully connected to the reason a student qualifies, rather than added broadly or by default, so teams develop plans that are appropriate and realistically implementable.
Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act Now In Effect
As of May 27, 2026, the Illinois Department of Labor notified public bodies that the requirements of the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act, 30 ILCS 570/1 et seq. (the “Act”), has come into effect.
The Act requires contractors to use at least 90% Illinois laborers on all public works projects that receive State funds or funds administered by the State during a “period of excessive unemployment.” A period of excessive unemployment means any month immediately following 2 consecutive calendar months when the Illinois unemployment rate exceeds 5%. Because the unemployment rates for March and April 2026 were 5.1%, the Act is now in effect.
Contact Kerry Pipal or James Levi with questions concerning compliance with the Act.
Join the Extra Mile Mailing List!
Many of you are moving on to other positions in different schools and joint agreements next school year. Don't miss a single issue of the Extra Mile! Please click HERE to provide your updated information.
Similarly, if you know any of your fellow administrators who would benefit from the Extra Mile’s practical updates and legal insights (or our monthly viewing recommendations), please feel free to forward this email so they can subscribe.
As our readers know, there is nothing like the Extra Mile to keep busy school administrators apprised of critical legal developments, as well as how to avoid legal liability and the enormous costs of litigation (see Mirabelli above).
Save the Date for The Year in Review Conferences!
Dates and locations are set for our 2026 Year in Review conferences in conjunction with our partners at IASPA. Notably, after maxing out our conference space in Peoria and to better serve school leaders across central Illinois, we are pleased to offer the 2026 Year in Review in Bloomington. We think you will enjoy the new location. Registration will soon be open!
This will be a critical year for you to attend given major legislative developments in both the personnel and student/special education areas of the law. Join us to learn how to avoid legal risk and attendant legal costs.
Here is the 2026 lineup:
- October 6 - Bloomington (Bloomington-Normal Marriott)
- October 13 - Collinsville (Doubletree by Hilton)
- October 29 - Itasca (Westin Chicago Northwest)
When registration opens, make your reservation early. Space is limited at all three locations and can sell out quickly.
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