1:15 p.m.

Registration

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Overview/Summary of Employment Laws in 2025

• Presented by: Kimberly Ross, FordHarrison
  

The Illinois Legislature was busy again in 2025, passing numerous amendments to existing employment laws and enacting one new employment law. This webinar will cover the creation of the Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act, changes to the Illinois Human Rights Act, including the elimination of the mandatory fact finding conference and additional penalties, changes to the Workplace Transparency Act relating to agreements between employers and employees, and changes to the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act, the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act, the Victim’s Economic Safety and Security Act (VESSA), and the Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act. The webinar will review best practices for employers in complying with these changes.

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Enforcement of Position Postings Under the Equal Pay Act

• Presented by: Quinn P. Donnelly, Freeman, Mathis & Gary LLP

This program will offer defense attorneys a practical overview of Illinois’ Equal Pay Act, with a focus on position-posting requirements, employer investigations, and enforcement decisions at the Illinois Department of Labor. Attendees will gain insight into current enforcement trends and how to advise clients navigating compliance and agency scrutiny.

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Implications of Employee Offsite Conduct

• Presented by: Anne Mayette, HuschBlackwell, LLP and Abihishek Ramaswami, Clingen Callow & McLean, LLC

Employee conduct doesn’t stop at the workplace. This program will examine how employee speech and social media activity can impact employers, with a focus on legal risks, employer protections, and appropriate response strategies. Defense counsel will gain practical guidance on advising clients when off-duty conduct crosses into workplace concern.

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Happy Hour

Quinn P. Donnelly is a Partner in the Chicago office of Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP, and leads the Labor & Employment practice group in Chicago. He represents management in employment cases and provides advice, counseling, and training to employers. In addition to his work on behalf of employers, Quinn’s practice also includes the defense of claims against directors and officers, construction defect and injury claims, premises and general liability claims, product liability claims, homeowners associations, and professional negligence claims.

Anne Mayette is a partner in Husch Blackwell LLP’s Chicago office and a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment group, where she advises and defends employers on a wide range of workplace law issues. Her practice includes employment litigation, internal and government investigations, compliance counseling, and guidance on discrimination, wage and hour, leave laws, and employment policies.

Abhishek Ramaswami is an associate attorney at Clingen Callow & McLean, LLC in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on labor and employment law, business litigation, and healthcare-related legal issues, counseling clients on matters like non-competes, workplace investigations, discrimination, and compliance with state and federal employment laws.

Kimberly Ross is a partner in the Chicago office of FordHarrison. She concentrates her legal practice on defending and counseling management in employment law matters. Kimberly's experience includes harassment and discrimination claims under Title VII and the Illinois Human Rights Act, the ADEA, ADA, FMLA, and FLSA, as well as non-compete agreements, whistleblower claims, negligent hiring, supervision and retention, and retaliatory discharge. Ms. Ross conducts seminars, provides training and on proper employment practices including hiring, effective discipline and discharge, performing investigations, maintaining personnel files and properly classifying employees under the FLSA, reviews and drafts employee handbooks, employment policies, employment contracts, and severance agreements. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1992 and her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1996. She is a past Editor of the IDC Quarterly.

Claims Professionals & Corporate or Association Counsel

Complimentary

Complimentary

Private Practice Attorneys, Public Sector Attorneys, Educators, and Students