Registration

8:50 am – 9:00 am   
 

WELCOME 

• Jason Bent, Professor of Law and Director, Martin H. Malin Institute
• Jason Czarnezki, Professor of Law and Dean, Chicago-Kent College of Law

Opening Plenary -The Coming Storm: The Impact of Federal Actions on Illinois Labor

This  session will examine how presidential executive orders, federal rule changes, and potential funding cuts to state and local governments could affect Illinois workers and communities. Discussion will address threats to SNAP funding and the ripple effects on the state’s economy, tax revenues, and public education.

• Bob Bruno, Professor & Director, Labor Education Program (Chicago), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• James Daniels, Deputy General Counsel, Labor Relations, Illinois Department of Central Mangement Services
• Michael Newman, Deputy Director, AFSCME Council 31

BREAK

CONCURRENT SESSION I

Police Forum

This session will focus on the role collective bargaining plays in improving policing as a profession.  Sharon Fairley will moderate the panel by putting forward questions and commentary critical of police unions and their employers. This will include the impact of advocacy groups outside of the collective bargaining relationship.  Topics may include transparency, employee discipline, due process, use of force, police licensure, body worn cameras and surveillance, consent decrees, and more.  Keith Karlson and Michael Kuczwara Jr., will provide perspective from the perspective of the union and employer.  

• Sharon Fairley, Professor of Practice, University of Chicago
• Keith Karlson, Chief Legal Counsel, Illinois Police Benevolent Association Council
• Michael Kuczwara Jr., Partner, Laner Muchin

Labor Relations and Federal Policy Impacts on Higher Education Institutions in Illinois

The panel will discuss recent cases before the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, focusing on supervisory status, the definition of an employee, and unionization. Additionally, the panel will examine Trump Administration policies affecting higher education negotiations related to funding, immigration, diversity, and freedom of expression.  

Learning Objectives:

-Attendees will be able to identify key provisions of the IELRA, including Sections 2(b), 2(q), and 7(a), and explain how they apply to student workers in higher education settings.

- Attendees will evaluate the factors considered by the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB), such as student status, short-term employment, and community of interest, to determine the appropriateness of a proposed bargaining unit.

- Attendees will assess the differing interpretations and outcomes between the ALJ and the IELRB regarding student employee eligibility for union representation.

• Victor Blackwell, Executive Director, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board
• Nick Christen, General Counsel & Director of Field and Organizing, Illinois Federation of Teachers 
• Robb Craddock, Executive Director, Labor & Employee Relations, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Labor Board Basics

This session will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the Labor Boards but were afraid to ask! Join us as we talk through Board jurisdiction, procedures, and functions, and answer your questions about Labor Board practice.

• John Brosnan, Special Counsel to the Chairperson, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board
• Helen Kim, General Counsel, Illinois Labor Relations Board
• Kimberly Stevens, Executive Director, Illinois Labor Relations Board
• Ellen Strizak, General Counsel, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board

EEO Update

This session will address legal developments over the past year both under Title VII and the Illinois Human Rights Act.  In addition to reviewing agency updates, the session will address major case law developments and continuing legal challenges.  The session will include a practical discussion of tools and strategies labor and management can bring to these issues in the workplace.

• Jamie Franklin, Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Supervisor of the Civil Litigation Clinic, Chicago-Kent College of Law
• Naomi Frisch, Attorney, Asher, Gittler, & D'Alba
• Abby Rogers, Partner, Engler, Callaway, Baasten & Sraga, LLC

BREAK

CONCURRENT SESSION II

Firefighter Forum

This Firefighter Forum will: 

- Discuss and update attendees on all the latest topics and trends for Illinois Firefighters

- Discuss and update attendees on Federal trends and issues that may be of importance to IL firefighters

- Discuss and update attendees on possible future trends and issues for IL FFs

• Shawn Flaherty, Senior Partner, Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd. 
• Marron Mahoney, Partner, Laner Muchin
• Jerry Marzullo, Asher, Gittler & D'Alba, Ltd., and Deputy General Counsel, Illinois Public Pension Fund Association
• Chuck Sullivan, President, Associated Firefighters of Illinois

K-12 Education

The panel will review recent  developments and Illinois legislation that impact labor-management relations and collective bargaining in the k-12 setting. Among the topics that will be discussed are the use of AI in employment decisions;  the use of third party non-instructional services; the IELRB’s timelines to process unfair labor practice charges and resolve representation issues; and amendments to the Workplace Transparency Act, the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act and the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act.

• Nick Guiterrez, Staff Attorney/Investigator, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board
• Maureen Anichini Lemon, Partner, Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd.
• Tyler Redd, Legal Counsel and Research Director, Illinois Federation of Teachers

Pensions

Illinois’s Tier 2 pension system might fail the federal FICA safe harbor test, exposing employers and employees to retroactive Social Security taxes. This session examines the history of Tier 2, why Tier 2 could fail the test, the resulting financial consequences, and recent legislative fixes that have been contemplated by the General Assembly.

• Tom Mazur, Attorney at Law and Firefighter/Paramedic at Village of Oak Park
• John Motylinski, Partner,  Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd. 
• Taylor E. Muzzy, Partner,  Jacobs, Burns, Orlove & Hernandez LLP
• Daniel J. Siblik, Vice President, Actuary, Segal

Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue: Why the Work We Do Impacts Us 

Lawyers, like others in the helping professions, are at risk for experiencing vicarious trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue.

Learn self-care and coping strategies to minimize Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue and increase health and well being for long term professional and personal health.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue
• Understand why lawyers are vulnerable
• Learn personal and professional hazards that contribute to these issues
• Learn how to become a more resilient attorney through self-care practices
• Learn workplace methods to enhance or deplete professionals from a systemic viewpoint 

PLEASE NOTE: THIS SESSION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO WATCH AFTER THE CONFERENCE

• Dr. Diane Uchiyama, Executive Director, Lawyers’ Assistance Program- Illinois Supreme Court Commission

LUNCH

CONCURRENT SESSION III

Ask The Arbitrators

This session will present a variety of scenarios to three arbitrators who will explain how they would rule. The session will allow participants to put forth questions as well.   

Learning objectives: Learn how arbitrators consider and rule on various issues on topics ranging from arbitrability to social media evidence.  

• Kevin Camden, Arbitrator, Camden Law Office, LLC
• Brian Clauss, Arbitrator Mediator Attorney, Clauss ADR, Inc.
• Joseph Moriarty, Arbitrator and Mediator, Moriarty Mediation
• Rebekah Smith, Arbitrator, Seven Tree Solutions

Interest Arbitration

Panelists will discuss recent developments and decisions in the world of interest arbitration, as well as practical tips on trying an interest arbitration case. 

• Steve Bierig, Arbitrator/Mediator
• Tamara Cummings, General Counsel, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police
• Michael Durkin, Founding Partner, Storino, Ramello, & Durkin

Labor Relations and the First Amendment in Times of Increasing Political Polarization

This panel discussion will explore public employee speech, managerial authority, the rights and responsibilities under collective bargaining agreements and the overlay of constitutional issues within public sector workplaces and how to navigate these issues in the current highly polarized political climate.

• Nicki Bazer, Partner, Franczek
• Marty Malin, Arbitrator, Professor Emeritus (Chicgao-Kent)
• Joe Sweeney, President, IUOE Local 150

BREAK

CONCURRENT SESSION IV

IELRA Update

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

• Athena Christofalos, Partner, Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn
• Mike Fredendall, Associate General Counsel, Illinois Education Association-U
• Ellen Strizak, General Counsel, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board

Beyond Bias: Strategies for Inclusive Legal Leadership

Lawyers are leaders in society and the workplace. As leaders, lawyers must ensure they create a workplace environment that is both productive and inclusive.

The way attorneys work has shifted. Technology, the hybrid workplace, the emergence of AI, and law firm growth rates are just a few ways that the legal profession has changed over the past few decades.

While these changes are significant, the legal profession cannot lose sight of the changing landscape of diversity and inclusion. Diversity and inclusion are important to ensure quality work as well as equity inherent in the rule of law.

This course explores how identifying bias and stereotypes can provide you with skills to be leaders in creating more inclusive legal workplaces.

Learning Objectives

• Define inclusive leadership for the legal profession, and the traits of inclusive leaders.
• Learn strategies to challenge biases and stereotypes.
• Understand how every attorney can become a more effective and inclusive leader in a diverse legal environment.

• Julia Roundtree Livingston, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

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.   

• Gary Bailey, Attorney, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council
• Helen Kim, General Counsel, Illinois Labor Relations Board
• Melissa Sobota, Partner, Franczek P.C.

Nuts & Bolts: Discipline and Discharge

The presentation will provide attendees with the perspectives of union and public-employer representatives with regard to current trends and approaches in employee discipline and discharge.

• Eric Bernard, Associate, Petrarca, Gleason, Boyle & Izzo, LLC
• Thaddeus Goodchild, Deputy General Counsel, Chicago Teachers Union
• Susan Matta, Shareholder, Allison, Slutsky & Kennedy, P.C.

BREAK

Closing Plenary

This plenary session will provide an update on recent Illinois legislative enactments that affect Illinois public employers, public employees, and the unions that represent them.  A particular focus will be on the proposed labor mediation legislation currently being considered in the veto session of the General Assembly, which in intended to fill the void left by the significantly downsized FMCS.

• Bob Reiter, President, Chicago Federation of Labor
• Ted Clark, Founding Partner, Clairk Baird Smith LLP.

Networking Reception