Mid-Year Employment Law Update – Illinois
Stay ahead of Illinois employment law changes. Join us on July 21 for timely updates and practical guidance from trusted legal experts.
Join Us!
Mid-Year Employment Law Update - Illinois
Join us in Palatine, IL, for MRA’s new in-person Mid-Year Employment Law Update—designed to help you stay compliant and confident in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Employment law is constantly changing. This mid-year update provides timely insights into Illinois-specific legislation, regulatory shifts, and key court decisions—so you can proactively manage risk and support your organization.
Mid-Year Employment Law Update – Palatine, IL
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
8:00 – 11:20 a.m.
Harper College Wojcik Conference Center: 1200 West Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL 60067
Earn 2.25 HRCI and SHRM credits
MRA members, contact your member representative for a member-exclusive registration offer! Contact us at 800.488.4845.
What You’ll Learn
Accommodating Pregnancy at Work
- Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)
- Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA)
- Required accommodations and evaluating requests
- Common compliance pitfalls
Workplace Privacy Risks
- BIPA litigation
- Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA)
- Proactive steps to stay ahead of evolving privacy laws
AI in the Workplace
- Workplace usage: benefits and risks
- Vetting AI tools
- Risk-mitigation strategies
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Event Agenda
Event Agenda
Times are listed in Central Time.
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Registration, Networking, & Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Welcome Remarks
8:45 – 9:30 a.m.
Session 1:
Accommodating Pregnancy at Work: Legal Requirements Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and Illinois Human Rights Act
This session will provide a practical overview of employers' obligations under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and related provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA). Specific topics covered will include when accommodations are required, how to evaluate requests, and how to avoid common compliance pitfalls involving leave, light duty, modified schedules, and workplace adjustments. The session will also illustrate common scenarios that can give rise to legal exposure through case examples.
Presenter: Michael Sherer, von Briesen
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
Session 2:
Workplace Privacy Risks Hiding in Plain Sight
Illinois employers are familiar with the impact of BIPA litigation. Now, another workplace privacy law, the Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA), is drawing increased scrutiny and generating a growing number of claims. For employers, understanding the law before issues arise may be the best opportunity to avoid future headaches.
This session will explore how GIPA applies in the workplace, what may qualify as "genetic information" under the law, and why even routine employment practices can create unexpected compliance concerns. Attendees will gain practical guidance for identifying potential risks, evaluating vendor relationships, and implementing safeguards before issues become costly legal disputes.
Whether you employ 20 people or 2,000, this session will outline the proactive steps organizations can take today to stay ahead of rapidly evolving workplace privacy laws.
Presenter: Anne Mayette, Husch Blackwell
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Break
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
Session 3:
AI in the Workplace
Whether you are all in on AI, just dipping a toe in, or hoping against hope that AI is a passing fad, it cannot be denied that the use of AI in employment is rapidly transforming the workplace. While there are many benefits associated with the use of AI, including increased efficiency, streamlining of administrative tasks, and enhanced decision-making, the integration of AI tools raises important legal considerations. In this session, we will discuss how AI can be used in the workplace, including the benefits and pitfalls, how to vet AI tools, and other risk-mitigation strategies.
Presenter: Orly Henry, Littler Mendelson
11:15 - 11:20 a.m.
Closing Remarks
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Pricing & Credits
Pricing & Credits
Price Member $200 Nonmember $225 HRCI and SHRM credits, and CLEs applied for.
MRA members, contact your member representative for a member-exclusive registration offer! Contact us at 800.488.4845.
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Sponsorship
Sponsorship
Sponsoring MRA events is a tremendous opportunity to bring your message of business value to our growing membership of organizations HR professionals and business leaders. Our members represent all industries including manufacturing, service, distribution, finance, and health care! 80% of event attendees are new at each event offering you the opportunity to network with new contacts. We are very excited about the event this year and hope you can join us!
For more information on sponsorship, call Laura Kielbasa at 262.696.3346 or [email protected].
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