Sharing and Access to Information
Total Credits: 1.25 Illinois
- Categories:
- Labor Law | Labor Relations
- Speakers:
- Robert Paszta | Sarah L. Pratt | Robin Ward
- Duration:
- 75
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Product Type:
- Video Replay
- License:
Description
The panelists will address the following:
- The impact of COVID-19 on the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act
- The ability of in-house attorneys to collect fees under FOIA
- The practical impact of SB 1754’s changes to FOIA and the IPLRA
- Who is a “commercial” requester under FOIA?
Speaker
Robert Paszta Related Seminars and Products
Associate General Counsel
International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150, AFL-CIO
Rob Paszta presently serves as Associate General Counsel for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150, AFL-CIO. After serving in the United States Air Force, Rob began his career as a law clerk for Local 150 and extern for Region 13 of the NLRB. In 2010, Rob joined the Labor Relations department at CSX Transportation where he handled grievances, arbitrations, and contract negotiations. Rob returned to Local 150 in 2014. Among other duties, Rob has litigated several cases on behalf of Local 150 against various public bodies for their violations of the Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Acts. Rob is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and earned his J.D. degree at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Sarah L. Pratt Related Seminars and Products
Illinois Attorney General's Office
Sarah L. Pratt presently serves as Public Access Counselor for Illinois Attorney General's Office. She began her career as an assistant attorney general in general law and has worked as a litigator and supervisor in positions including Bureau Chief of Workers’ Compensation and Bureau Chief of General Law in Springfield. In 2003 Ms. Pratt joined the private sector where she practiced workers’ compensation and employment defense litigation. She returned to the AG’s Office in 2011; after leading the Public Access Bureau for two years she was appointed Public Access Counselor. Among other duties, Sarah provides training and is a frequent speaker on the Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Acts. Ms. Pratt is a graduate of Illinois College with a B.A. in English and French and earned her J.D. degree at the University of Illinois.
Robin Ward Related Seminars and Products
Retired
Village of Arlington Heights
Robin Ward was In-House Counsel at the Village of Arlington Heights. Prior to her recent retirement, she had been with the Village since 1988. Ms. Ward was part of the collective bargaining team for the village’s negotiations with its police and fire unions. She worked in the Legal Department of the Village of Skokie for 2 1/2 years before joining the State Labor Relations Board at its beginning operations. After working at the State Board for 3 1/2 years, she went to work for the Village of Arlington Heights. Ms. Ward is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in political science and De Paul University College of Law.