Category: COVID-19
The End of Masks in the Classroom? A New Judgement Impacts Schools Across the State
The End of Masks in the Classroom? A New Judgment Impacts Schools Across the State On Friday, February 7, a judge in Sangamon County, which includes the city of Springfield, issued a temporary restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed by parents against 140 school districts in Illinois. Significantly, the judge found several provisions
Emergence of Omicron and its Impact on the Workforce
With the arrival of a new season comes the arrival of a new variant of COVD-19: Omicron. As employers navigate another season of managing the virus’s impact on the workforce, it remains important to stay informed and take precautionary measures surrounding the workplace. Preliminary Information on Omicron As the first death related to the variant
Federal Decision to Impact Vaccine or Frequent Testing Mandate for Employers
The Decision A few months ago, in September, President Biden sought to implement a federal mandate under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) called the Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), which would require private business with over 100 employees to require either mandatory COVID-19 vaccines or frequent testing. While the rule was
COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
President Joe Biden announced on September 9, 2021 a series of proposals to combat the COVID-19 pandemic more aggressively, including plans for a new rule requiring employers with 100 or more employees to mandate that their workers be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing. The items outlined are strategies and do not have formal regulations behind
Guidance for Employers and Employees on Rights and Safety with COVID-19
Guidance for Employers and Employees on Rights and Safety with COVID-19 With many workplaces inching towards a full reopening, and with the recent FDA approval of the first COVID-19 vaccine, the attorneys at Rock Fusco & Connelly, LLC, have prepared an easy-to-use cheat sheet to answer the most common questions asked by employers and employees,
COVID-19 Business Interruption Suit Can Proceed, Cook County Judge Rules
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Raymond W. Mitchell denied a motion to dismiss in a bellwether case determining whether the presence of coronavirus causes “physical loss or damage” for insurance purposes. JDS Construction Group LLC, a New York company, filed suit against Chicago-based insurer, Continental Casualty (“Continental”), over the losses from the shutdown of a
Chicago Employers Must Permit Time Off For COVID-19 Vaccination
In April, the City of Chicago enacted the Chicago COVID-19 Vaccine Anti-Retaliation Ordinance (the “Ordinance”). The Ordinance affords workers certain protections designed to safeguard access to a COVID-19 vaccination by restricting the conduct of employers, defined “any person or entity that engages in the services of one or more individual for payment.” The Ordinance establishes
Hospitality Industry Loses COVID-19 Lawsuit Against State of Illinois
Hospitality jobs in Illinois have declined nearly 52 percent since the pandemic began, according to new data, as lawsuits continue against the governor’s orders to close nonessential businesses. While leisure and hospitality jobs were hit the hardest, the number of small businesses open in Illinois overall has fallen by about 36.5 percent, as of March
Streamlined Loan Forgiveness Process for PPP Loans Under $50,000
As of October 8, 2020, loan recipients under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) have a new, streamlined application form for requesting loan forgiveness. The new loan forgiveness form, SBA Form 3508S, may be used by businesses that received a loan totaling less than $50,000 or, together with its affiliates, received PPP loans totaling less than
Major Boon for Insureds Seeking COVID-19 Business Interruption Coverage
Recent cases involving insurance companies against insured businesses seeking COVID-19 business interruption coverage could be of great importance due to the decisions’ focus on the impact of the virus as well as the expectations of a reasonable insured. A Missouri Court in Blue Springs Dental Care v. Owners Ins. Co. examined the “direct physical loss