By Adam R. YoungMelissa A. Ortega, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: On October 28, 2021, an amendment to the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act passed the Illinois General Assembly and made its way to Governor Pritzker’s desk. The amendment creates a COVID-19 carve-out, but it will not go into effect until June 1,
Continue Reading A Swing and a Miss: Right to Conscience Objections to COVID-19 Vaccinations to Endure Until June 2022

By James L. CurtisAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: Labelling the Delta-variant surge as the “Pandemic of the Unvaccinated,” on August 26, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Prtizker announced that Illinois residents must wear masks indoors, and that school and health care staff must be vaccinated.

Cook County and the City of Chicago both had
Continue Reading Illinois Governor Announces Mask Mandate for All Indoor Settings, Regardless of Vaccination

By James L. CurtisMark A. Lies, IIAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: In its introduction to its New Active shooter training materials, the Illinois State Police note that “civilians that are present at any given incident are the true first responders.”

The Illinois State Police (ISP) have developed and are making
Continue Reading Illinois State Police Provide Training on Active Shooter, Workplace Violence

By Condon McGlothlen, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Illinois General Assembly passed SB 1557, revising the language of the Recreational Cannabis Law to reduce but not completely eliminate employer liabilities.

As we previously blogged, the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705) (the “Legalization Act”) will legalize recreational cannabis
Continue Reading Illinois General Assembly Passes Amendments to Recreational Cannabis Law That Help Reduce Employer Liability

By Andrew H. Perellis, Jeryl L. Olson, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Illinois Supreme Court recently affirmed that the Illinois Pollution Control Board’s clean construction or demolition debris (CCDD) rules were not arbitrary and capricious. County of Will v. Pollution Control Board, Docket Nos. 122798 and 122813 (June 20, 2019).
Continue Reading Illinois Supreme Court Affirms Pollution Control Board’s Clean Construction or Demolition Debris Rules, and Articulates Guidelines for Determining if Agency Action is Arbitrary or Capricious

By Adam R. Young, Michael L. DeMarino, Jennifer L. Mora, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the new recreational cannabis bill, which contains extensive provisions regarding the extent of an employer’s right to ban and otherwise discipline employees for cannabis use.  The legislation takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

Across the
Continue Reading High Times Continue – Illinois Enacts Recreational Cannabis Law

By Adam R. Young, Michael L. DeMarino, and Jennifer L. Mora

Seyfarth Synopsis: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign a new recreational cannabis bill, which contains extensive provisions regarding the extent of an employer’s right to ban and otherwise discipline employees for cannabis use. 

Across the country, states are moving to legalize medical and recreational
Continue Reading Half Baked — Illinois Legislature Includes Some Employer Protections in New Recreational Cannabis Law, But Creates Potential Liabilities

By Adam R. Young, Michael L. DeMarino, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Illinois General Assembly has been working on a marijuana legalization bill this session.  The Senate Bill would protect employer rights to ban marijuana and discipline employees for use. 

Across the country, states are moving to legalize medical and recreational marijuana.  In states that
Continue Reading Illinois Marijuana Legislation Update: Senate Bill Would Protect Employers’ Rights

By Jeryl L. OlsonKay R. Bonza, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: New Illinois Office of State Fire Marshall (“OSFM”) regulations, (42 Ill. Reg. 10476, 10662-667, June 15, 2018, effective October 13, 2018), require that periodic operation and maintenance include recorded “walkthrough inspections” for underground storage tank (UST) facilities. 

Under new OSFM rules,
Continue Reading Periodic Operation and Maintenance Walkthrough Inspections Required for Illinois UST Facility Owners and Operators

By Patrick D. Joyce, Philip L. Comella, and William R. Schubert

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General, in a February 5, 2014 memorandum, stated that it intends to evaluate how federal and state regulation of the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) industry has protected water resources and managed potential threats. “EPA’s Oversight of Hydraulic Fracturing Impact on

Continue Reading EPA Eyes Potential Impact of Fracking on Water Resources