Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC and Its Implications
On May 14, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on the case of Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, 608 U.S. 219 (2026), unanimously holding that negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers are not preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (FAAAA) because they fall within the statute’s safety exception. The federal
Illinois Flock Camera Use Raises Privacy and Surveillance Concerns
Flock cameras, a type of automated license plate reader, are a common policing tool in Illinois and across the nation. Illinois residents want increased transparency and stronger safeguards, and a federal appeals court will hear arguments this month on whether the state’s use of these cameras violates the US Constitution. Illinois residents are not the
Chicago’s Upcoming School Board Election
Chicago’s November school board election will complete the city’s transition to a fully elected Board of Education, giving voters a direct role in choosing all 21 members who oversee Chicago Public Schools. The incoming board will face major decisions involving CPS finances, labor agreements, and charter schools. One of the biggest issues facing the new
U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Final Rule on Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Revisions
U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Final Rule on Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Revisions On September 25, 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) issued a final rule that formally adopts the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program changes first implemented through an interim final rule in October 2025. While the final rule largely preserves the
FMCSA Temporarily Relaxes Hours-of-Service Rules for Fuel Haulers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a temporary waiver giving motor carriers and drivers transporting gasoline and diesel fuel more flexibility under federal hours-of-service (HOS) rules. The waiver took effect on September 16, 2026, and remains in place through December 16, 2026. FMCSA said it issued the waiver in anticipation of increased
The Importance of Fiscal Notes and their Role in Illinois Legislation
Of the 6,900 proposed bills in Illinois, lawmakers included estimated costs on just 32. Fiscal notes estimate the financial impact of proposed legislation, allowing lawmakers and taxpayers to see information about the bill’s potential cost. The primary function of a fiscal note is to deliver a reliable estimate of how legislation implementation will impact state
FAA Announces $1.1 Billion in Airport Infrastructure Investments
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced $1.1 billion in federal funding for airport infrastructure and safety improvements across the country. Through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (“FAA”) Airport Improvement Program (“AIP”), 280 grants will be distributed to airports in 46 states and three territories for projects ranging from runway reconstruction and terminal expansion to noise
Chicago’s Protecting Renters Ordinance Advances After Key Changes
Chicago’s Protecting Renters Ordinance passed the city council’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate. The committee passed the ordinance by a slim 12-9 vote after amending key provisions of the controversial ordinance. The Protecting Renter Ordinance that passed committee removed the controversial ‘just cause’ provision in the original ordinance. The just cause provision states that
The Chicago Teachers Union Continues to Endorse Chicago School Board Candidates
All 21 seats on the Chicago Board of Education are up for election this year. This year also marks the first time the mayor will not appoint 11 of the 21 seats on the board, putting full decision-making power in the hands of Chicago voters this November. Illinois lawmakers divided Chicago into 20 separate voting
Aurora Voters Could Get Power to Recall Mayor and At-Large Aldermen
On July 31, 2026, members of Aurora for Change, an organization working to expand voter power, submitted petitions asking the city to place two binding referendum questions on the November 3, 2026, ballot: one would ask whether voters should be able to recall the mayor, and the other whether they should be able to recall