40th Annual Illinois Public Sector Conference 

Registration

8:30 am – 8:40 am   
 

WELCOME 

Opening Plenary: How Will This Election Cycle Influence Public Sector Labor Relations?

This panel will explore the repercussions of the presidential election on public sector labor relations in the State of Illinois. In addition, the panel will explore historically the evolution of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.

• Jim Franczek, Partner, Franczek P.C.
• Nick Christen, General Counsel & Director of Field and Organizing, Illinois Federation of Teachers
• Arnaldo Rivera, Chief Administrative & Equity Officer, Navy Pier
• Stacy Davis Gates, President, Chicago Teachers Union

BREAK

CONCURRENT SESSION I

Updates in Policing

Panelists will first provide a comprehensive overview of off-duty misconduct cases.  Then, they will offer insights into developing issues in law enforcement more than 3 years post the SAFE-T Act, including certification and decertification, recruitment and retention, and more.

• Tamara Cummings, General Counsel, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council
• Rick Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Stewart Law Frim, P.C. 
• Marv Hill, Arbitrator, Northern Illinois University

IPLRA Update

The panel will provide a written summary of all ILRB and court decisions issued in the past year concerning the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and will discuss several Board decisions and legislative
updates.

• Steve Yokich, Partner, David, Bloch, Bennett, Cervone, Auerbach, & Yokich, LLP
• Helen Kim, General Counsel, Illinois Labor Relations Board
• James Daniels, Deputy General Counsel of CMS Labor Relations, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council

Mediation-Arbitration, Expedited Hearings, Consolidated, and Multiple Claims 

Dispute resolution continues to evolve. Combining arbitration and mediation into a Med-Arb process is growing in popularity. Expediting, consolidating individual and common claims, and resolving multiple claims in one session to increase dispute resolution continues to grow.

What are the features of these dispute resolution models, and how do they differ from traditional mediation and arbitration models?

How do we prepare for a med-arb, expedited, and combined claims sessions?

What process works for discipline, contract interpretation, and interest arbitration?
What are the best practices for these models?

Join management attorney Amy Moor Gaylord, union attorney Jerry Marzullo, and NAA Arbitrator Brian Clauss for a discussion of these models of dispute resolution.

• Jerry Marzullo, Shareholder, Asher, Gittler & D'Alba, Ltd.
• Brian Clauss, Arbitrator Mediator Attornery, Clauss ADR, Inc. 
• Amy Moor Gaylord, Partner, Co-Chair, Traditional Labor Practice, Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Akerman LLP 

The AI Revolution in Labor: Recent Developments and Future Challenges

This panel will explore recent developments in Artificial Intelligence and their impact on labor and employment law. We will discuss how AI has become ubiquitous in tools like Apple's iOS 18, Microsoft Co-Pilot, and ChatGPT, and examine significant events such as the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, where AI's role in exploiting actors' likenesses and replacing writers raised critical legal and ethical issues. The presentation will also delve into future trends, including potential federal legislation and Supreme Court involvement, offering recommendations for legal professionals, unions, and employers on preparing for continued AI integration in the workplace.

• Peter McNamara, Staff Attorney, International Union of Operation Engineers, Local 399
• Steve Bierig, Attorney-Arbitrator-Mediator   
• Nicole Chaney, Director of Labor and Employment, Cook County Assessor's Office

BREAK

CONCURRENT SESSION II

Firefighter Forum

This panel will discuss the following topics:

- Tier 2 Pensions/Firefighter Recruitment/Retention
- HB 220 Shift Commanders and Roselle ILRB ruling
- Park Ridge Appellate Court Decision Shift Trades and Mandatory Bargaining
- Pekin/PEDA Case 
- Mertes/Mt Prospect PSEBA Case

• Jerry Marzullo, Shareholder, Asher, Gittler & D'Alba, Ltd.
• Jennifer Dunn, Partner, Franczek P.C.
• Chuck Sullivan, President, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
• Ben Gehrt, Partner, Clark Baird Smith

IELRA Update 

This panel will discuss highlights of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board’s decisions from the previous year.

• Ellen Strizak, General Counsel, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board
• Nick Christen, General Counsel & Director of Field and Organizing, Illinois Federation of Teachers 
• William Gleason, Partner, Petrarca, Gleason, Boyle & Izzo

Interest Arbitration Session

This panel will examine recent interest arbitration cases from the past year. The panel will examine any recent trends within these decisions as well as any substantive points of interest for practitioners who may be involved in interest arbitration. 

• Amanda Clark, Shareholder, Asher, Gittler, D'Alba, Ltd.
• Gary Baily, Attorney, Illinois FOP Labor Council
• Lisa Callaway, Partner, Engler Callaway Baasten & Sraga, LLC
• Peter Kramer, General Counsel, Cook County Sheriff's Department

Incivility in the Legal Workplace

Comprised of representatives from the ILRB, private practice, and arbitration, this panel will focus on issues of civility, how these issues intertwine with ethics rules and responsibilities for both lawyers and practitioners, and how we can avoid and respond to incivility in the workplace. Attendees will have the opportunity to examine these issues through interactive engagement with the panel.

Learning objectives:

- Identify practical frameworks for interactions in legal practice that help attorneys navigate ethical dilemmas posed by interactions with colleagues, opposing counsel, and decisionmakers with confidence and civility.

- Investigate strategies for building and maintaining trust by way of encouraging civil discourse in interactions with colleagues in the practice of law and ensuring effective and civil communication with colleagues and clients.

- Discover techniques for promoting ethical and civil behavior and addressing contemporary challenges, such as communicating in the context of new technology and remote interactions with colleagues, tribunals, and clients.

• Kim Stevens, Executive Director, Illinois Labor Relations Board
• John Weathers, Commissioner, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service
• Kelly Coyle, Attorney, Clark Baird Smith LLP

LUNCH

Post-Lunch Plenary: Mental Health and Practice of Law

In an age of increasing division and heightened polarization, navigating conflicts has become more challenging than ever. This presentation explores the profound impact of societal polarization on mental health and offers strategies to foster constructive communication and emotional resilience in the legal profession.

We will examine the psychological toll of constant tension, the role of empathy in de-escalating conflicts, and practical techniques to maintain mental well-being as a lawyer while engaging in difficult conversations. Participants will learn how to build bridges across divides, manage stress in polarized environments, and cultivate healthier relationships in personal, professional, and community contexts.

Participants will learn:

1. How a polarized “us vs them” mentality impacts the brain.
2. The repercussions of heightened polarization on lawyer mental health.
3. Tools and techniques to manage the increased stress that accompanies increasing polarity in our community.

• Chelsy Castro, CEO and Founder, Castro Jacobs Psychotherapy and Consulting
• Felicia Frazier, Partner, Odelson, Murphy, Frazier & McGrath, Ltd.

CONCURRENT SESSION III

Fundamentals of Labor Board Practice

This session will provide an overview of practice before the ILRB and IELRB, and it is designed for anyone who is new to Board practice or who wants to refresh their understanding of the processes of the ILRB and/or IELRB. Topics will include representation petitions, conduct of elections, filing and disposition of unfair labor practice charges, compliance, the hearing process, and the process of the Boards in making decisions on cases that come before them.

• Tiara Mackins, Investigator, Illinois Labor Relations Board
• Cody Huffines, Investigator, Illinois Labor Relations Board
• John Brosnan, Special Counsel, Illinois Education Labor Relations Board

Topics in Employee Discipline 

The panel consists of a Union lawyer, Management lawyer, and Arbitrator and will use illustrative examples of current discipline issues that are prevalent and comment.  The panel encourages attendees to engage in the discussion with their comments as well.

Topics will include:

- Use of Body Worn Cameras
- Use of Excessive Force
- Off-Duty Misconduct
- Disgruntled Employees
- Discharges Based on Fitness-for-Duty

• Mark McQueary, Director of Legal Affairs, Metroplitan Alliance of Police
• Melissa Sobota, Partner, Franczek P.C.
• Cary Morgen, Labor Arbitrator, Cary Morgen Labor Arbitration & Mediation Services, LLC

Legislation - Past and Pending

With a focus on Illinois legislative developments, this panel will explore major legislation from the 103rd General Assembly impacting public workplaces. The panel will cover key changes to Illinois law, regulatory actions and compliance reminders for Illinois employers. The panel will also address labor legislation in Illinois and evolving developments including with respect to the Illinois Worker Freedom of Speech Act and Fall Veto Session activity in Springfield.

• Hailey Golds, Attorney, Franczek P.C.
• Margaret Angelucci, Shareholder, Asher, Gittler & D'Alba, Ltd.
• France Orenic, Legislative Director, Illinois AFL-CIO
• TBA

Effect of Janus on Public Sector Unions

This panel will discuss the following topics:

I. Background on U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus decision

II. Illinois General Assembly Response: Public Act 101-0620

a. Codifies certain union rights:

i. Information Rights

ii. Access Rights

iii. Limitations on Release of Union Information under FOIA

iv. Employer Neutrality Requirements v. Greater union control over dues deductions

III. Unions’ Post-Janus Strategy

IV. Impact on Union Membership

V. Impact on Labor-Management Relations

VI. The Future of Janus a. Impact of the Illinois Workers’ Rights Amendment b. Impact of the federal political landscape

• Michael Kuczwara, Partner, Laner Muchin
• Marron Mahoney, Partner, Laner Muchin
• Tracey Abman, Associate Director, AFSCME Council 13
• Arnoldo Fabela, Director of Field and Organizing, Illinois Federation of Teachers

BREAK

CONCURRENT SESSION IV

Fundamentals of Discipline/Grievance Arbitration (Non-Lawyers and New Lawyers)

Panelists will share tips and best practices on handling a disciplinary case, from client intake through the grievance and arbitration process, from their perspectives as advocates and neutral, using a hypothetical scenario to guide the discussion.

• Tyson Roan, Field Service Director, Illinois Federation of Teachers
• Heidi Parker, Arbitrator-Attorney-Mediator, Hackman Parker, LLC
• Jeremy Glenn, Member, Cozen O'Connor

This panel will discuss job security, property interest & just cause. Along with due process protections and academic freedom. 

• Joe Moriarty, Arbitrator and Mediator, Moriarty Mediation
• Graham Hill, Attorney, Chicago Teachers Union Foundation
• Tom Garretson, Attorney, Robbins Schwartz
• Laurel Baker, Assistant General Counsel, Chicago Public Schools

Police Officer Certification and Decertification Three Years After the SAFE-T Act

This session will discuss how the SAFE-T Act has effected policing, standards for reporting, and outline what reactivation entails.

• Alyssa Haaker, Attorney, Illinois FOP Labor Council
• Yvette Heintzelman, Member, Clark Hill PLC
• Lisa Kohn, Arbitrator, Dispute Resolution Services

BREAK

Closing Plenary: Illinois Public Pensions 

The panel will briefly discuss the Supreme Court’s recent decision upholding the statute consolidating the asset-management and investment functions of downstate police and firefighter pension funds, as well as a few other recent cases addressing the constitutionally of various Pension Code provisions.  The panel will then discuss the concern that the General Assembly’s creation in 2010 of a Tier 2 pension classification will trigger a violation of the Social Security “safe harbor” requirement (i.e., that pension plans whose members do not contribute to Social Security must pay benefits deemed equivalent to Social Security benefits), and the dynamics around formulating an appropriate fix.

• John Shaprio, Partner, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
• Richard Huszagh, Assistant Attorney General, Illinois Attorney General's Office
• Bob Bruno, Professor & Director, Labor Education Program (Chicago), University of Illinois Chicago
• Stephani Kifowit, Chair of the House Personnel & Pensions Committee, 84th District

Networking Reception