Merry C. Rhoades has more than 30 years of experience representing Illinois public education institutions. In her practice as an education law attorney, Merry regularly advises clients on all facets of school law, ranging from annexation and detachment matters to the employee/employer relationship to tax and finance matters.
Merry is known throughout downstate Illinois for her work in the area of special education and student rights. She has worked extensively with Illinois public school districts regarding the special education and related services provided to special needs students. She has been asked to speak for organizations such as the Illinois Association of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE), the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), the Illinois Principal’s Association (IPA) and the Illinois School Boards Association (IASB) on special education issues. She also participates in the Illinois Council of School Attorneys’ Special Education Concerns Committee. In addition to her work on student-related matters, Merry is also well-versed in the non-renewal of probationary employees, the termination of the educational support person and the dismissal of the long-standing tenured teacher. Her experience includes providing up-to-date advice on employee due process rights when disciplining or terminating the school district employee. Merry has a particular interest in advising clients on the American with Disabilities Amendment Act and the corresponding Illinois Human Rights Act.
Because of Merry’s 30-plus years of experience in representing Illinois public school districts, she has key insights regarding the day-to-day operation of the school district. That experience includes school district compliance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA), the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and other laws governing board of education operation. Most recently, Merry represented several school districts in the first court challenge to the 1% School Facility Occupation Tax.
Merry is an active member of several school related organizations. She is a member of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys Executive Committee and served as a past Chairperson. She serves as an Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) PRESS advisory committee.
Merry is certified by the ISBE to provide mandatory leadership training to newly elected School Board members.
Education
- J.D., DePaul University College of Law, 1986
Honors and Awards
- Illinois Leading Lawyer since 2010: School Law
Professional Affiliations
- The Illinois Bar Association
- Illinois Council of School Attorneys
- National Council of School Attorneys
Selected Publications and Presentations
- Presenter, IASA Student On-Line Privacy Protection Act (2021)
- Presenter, Alton #11 Special Education Presentation on Special Education Eligibility in a Post-COVID-19 World (2021)
- Presenter, ROE 40 Legal Update (2021)
- Presenter, IASA Student Rights & Responsibilities: What Every School Administrator Should Know (2020)
- Presenter, ROE 40 Legal Issues for School Counselors (2020)
