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2026 IPELRA Annual Training Conference Sessions
Help! My Employee is Not OK!
10/5/2026 10:45 AM - 10/5/2026 12:00 PM
Summary
When an employee is struggling, it can be tough to know which
tools to use. Yvette Heintzelman and Kaitlin Salisbury will use
practice, real-life examples to help you determine which tools
to use when an employee is in crisis, including fitness for duty,
FMLA, ADA accommodations, employee assistance programs,
and more. They will discuss special considerations for public
safety positions
Time to Sound the Alarm? Legal Strategies for Managing Workplace Conflict
10/5/2026 10:45 AM - 10/5/2026 12:00 PM
Summary
Is it time to sound the legal alarm, or is it simply a workplace
conflict? This session will review the boundaries of employees'
legal rights under anti-discrimination laws and the Constitution
and provide practical strategies for responding to and redirecting
workplace conflict. Through real-world scenarios, the presenters
will discuss when and how to initiate an investigation, document
concerns, and maintain workplace standards
The AI Toolkit for HR: Leveraging AI With Confidence
10/5/2026 2:30 PM - 10/5/2026 3:45 PM
Summary
AI is transforming HR, and practitioners need the skills to
use it effectively while maintaining the human-centered
cultures at the heart of public service. This session examines
AI adoption in local government, common implementation
challenges, prompt-writing fundamentals, and best practices.
Discipline to Discharge
10/5/2026 2:30 PM - 10/5/2026 3:45 PM
Summary
Your knowledge of procedural requirements in disciplinary and
discharge proceedings can either invite risk or safeguard against risk.
Sharpen your knowledge of discipline to discharge, and everything in
between. From Weingarten rights, to Loudermill hearings, and Garrity
protections, you need to know what procedural rights apply in different
types of disciplinary or discharge decisions - and when they do not
apply - to guide your organization through difficult situations
Building Better government From Within: Workforce Excellence and Resident Satisfaction with Government
10/5/2026 2:30 PM - 10/5/2026 3:45 PM
Summary
The world of work has changed, and local governments face growing challenges in attracting and retaining
talent. Groundbreaking research shows that highly effective HR practices are directly linked to resident
satisfaction with local government services and overall quality of life in the community. This session will
explore the research findings, highlight the HR practices that drive these outcomes, and provide practical
strategies that local governments can adapt to strengthen their workforce and better serve their
communities.
Digital Decisions: Navigating AI's Impact on the Modern Workplace
10/6/2026 10:45 AM - 10/6/2026 12:00 PM
Summary
Learn about the rapidly changing legal landscape surrounding
AI in labor relations and employment practices, including
federal regulations, EEOC guidance, ADA requirements, and
Illinois' AI video interview regulations and recent amendments
to the Illinois Human Rights Act. You'll gain insight into bias in
AI systems, workplace safety applications, and privacy
concerns, and learn how employers can implement clear
policies, mitigate bias, and collaborate with unions to
responsibly adopt AI technologies while minimizing legal risks
Managing Your Frequent Flyers
10/6/2026 10:45 AM - 10/6/2026 12:00 PM
Summary
Frequent flyers can be challenging! In this session, you'll gain a
framework for dealing with challenging employees while being
mindful of legal requirements, handling the escalation of complaints
to retaliation and discrimination claims and containment strategies,
identifying potential red flags in employees and applicants, and
analyzing current policies and procedures to limit legal exposure -
and, you'll hear about real-world examples and how challenging
situations were addressed.
The Power of 1:1
10/6/2026 1:30 PM - 10/6/2026 2:45 PM
Summary
Effective 1:1 meetings are one of the most powerful tools for
building trust, driving performance, and supporting growth -
and often one of the least consistently used tools in the
toolbox. When both supervisors and employees engage with
intention, the real magic happens and 1:1s become shared
space for two-way feedback, fueling growth, problem solving,
and supporting alignment by reinforcing consistency,
adaptability, and shared accountability. In this session, you'll
learn how to apply a consistent structure to prepare for,
participate in and follow up on 1:1s that balance short-term
priorities with long-term development, and how to adapt your
style to meet the unique needs and preferences of your team
members.
Speech in the Workplace
10/6/2026 1:30 PM - 10/6/2026 2:45 PM
Summary
'They said what?' Are you prepared to navigate the intersection of
employee speech, the First Amendment, and concerted activity
protections under the Illinois Labor Relations Act? This interactive
session will cover the fundamentals of concerted activity, explore
employees' speech rights in the workplace, and provide practical
guidance for handling challenging situations, including those that
arise on social media.
A Deeper Dive Into the Stamp You Leave, the Ownership You Build
10/7/2026 10:30 AM - 10/7/2026 11:45 AM
Summary
Whether you're in a formal leadership role or not, you
leave an indelible stamp where you have been. Join
Danny Langloss, Jr. for a deeper dive into how to build
your influence and harness your leadership potential
anywhere in your organization
From Adversarial to Aligned: Rebuilding Labor/Management Relationships Through Intentional Leadership
10/7/2026 10:30 AM - 10/7/2026 11:45 AM
Summary
Can a strained labor-management relationship be repaired? The labor management team from the City of St. Charles Fire Department will share
lessons learned from rebuilding trust and communication. This session will
explore the causes of adversarial relationships and offer strategies for
restoring trust, finding common ground, and strengthening partnerships
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Help! My Employee is Not OK!
10/5/2026 10:45 AM - 10/5/2026 12:00 PM
Summary
When an employee is struggling, it can be tough to know which
tools to use. Yvette Heintzelman and Kaitlin Salisbury will use
practice, real-life examples to help you determine which tools
to use when an employee is in crisis, including fitness for duty,
FMLA, ADA accommodations, employee assistance programs,
and more. They will discuss special considerations for public
safety positions
Time to Sound the Alarm? Legal Strategies for Managing Workplace Conflict
10/5/2026 10:45 AM - 10/5/2026 12:00 PM
Summary
Is it time to sound the legal alarm, or is it simply a workplace
conflict? This session will review the boundaries of employees'
legal rights under anti-discrimination laws and the Constitution
and provide practical strategies for responding to and redirecting
workplace conflict. Through real-world scenarios, the presenters
will discuss when and how to initiate an investigation, document
concerns, and maintain workplace standards
The AI Toolkit for HR: Leveraging AI With Confidence
10/5/2026 2:30 PM - 10/5/2026 3:45 PM
Summary
AI is transforming HR, and practitioners need the skills to
use it effectively while maintaining the human-centered
cultures at the heart of public service. This session examines
AI adoption in local government, common implementation
challenges, prompt-writing fundamentals, and best practices.
Discipline to Discharge
10/5/2026 2:30 PM - 10/5/2026 3:45 PM
Summary
Your knowledge of procedural requirements in disciplinary and
discharge proceedings can either invite risk or safeguard against risk.
Sharpen your knowledge of discipline to discharge, and everything in
between. From Weingarten rights, to Loudermill hearings, and Garrity
protections, you need to know what procedural rights apply in different
types of disciplinary or discharge decisions - and when they do not
apply - to guide your organization through difficult situations
Building Better government From Within: Workforce Excellence and Resident Satisfaction with Government
10/5/2026 2:30 PM - 10/5/2026 3:45 PM
Summary
The world of work has changed, and local governments face growing challenges in attracting and retaining
talent. Groundbreaking research shows that highly effective HR practices are directly linked to resident
satisfaction with local government services and overall quality of life in the community. This session will
explore the research findings, highlight the HR practices that drive these outcomes, and provide practical
strategies that local governments can adapt to strengthen their workforce and better serve their
communities.
Digital Decisions: Navigating AI's Impact on the Modern Workplace
10/6/2026 10:45 AM - 10/6/2026 12:00 PM
Summary
Learn about the rapidly changing legal landscape surrounding
AI in labor relations and employment practices, including
federal regulations, EEOC guidance, ADA requirements, and
Illinois' AI video interview regulations and recent amendments
to the Illinois Human Rights Act. You'll gain insight into bias in
AI systems, workplace safety applications, and privacy
concerns, and learn how employers can implement clear
policies, mitigate bias, and collaborate with unions to
responsibly adopt AI technologies while minimizing legal risks
Managing Your Frequent Flyers
10/6/2026 10:45 AM - 10/6/2026 12:00 PM
Summary
Frequent flyers can be challenging! In this session, you'll gain a
framework for dealing with challenging employees while being
mindful of legal requirements, handling the escalation of complaints
to retaliation and discrimination claims and containment strategies,
identifying potential red flags in employees and applicants, and
analyzing current policies and procedures to limit legal exposure -
and, you'll hear about real-world examples and how challenging
situations were addressed.
The Power of 1:1
10/6/2026 1:30 PM - 10/6/2026 2:45 PM
Summary
Effective 1:1 meetings are one of the most powerful tools for
building trust, driving performance, and supporting growth -
and often one of the least consistently used tools in the
toolbox. When both supervisors and employees engage with
intention, the real magic happens and 1:1s become shared
space for two-way feedback, fueling growth, problem solving,
and supporting alignment by reinforcing consistency,
adaptability, and shared accountability. In this session, you'll
learn how to apply a consistent structure to prepare for,
participate in and follow up on 1:1s that balance short-term
priorities with long-term development, and how to adapt your
style to meet the unique needs and preferences of your team
members.
Speech in the Workplace
10/6/2026 1:30 PM - 10/6/2026 2:45 PM
Summary
'They said what?' Are you prepared to navigate the intersection of
employee speech, the First Amendment, and concerted activity
protections under the Illinois Labor Relations Act? This interactive
session will cover the fundamentals of concerted activity, explore
employees' speech rights in the workplace, and provide practical
guidance for handling challenging situations, including those that
arise on social media.
A Deeper Dive Into the Stamp You Leave, the Ownership You Build
10/7/2026 10:30 AM - 10/7/2026 11:45 AM
Summary
Whether you're in a formal leadership role or not, you
leave an indelible stamp where you have been. Join
Danny Langloss, Jr. for a deeper dive into how to build
your influence and harness your leadership potential
anywhere in your organization
From Adversarial to Aligned: Rebuilding Labor/Management Relationships Through Intentional Leadership
10/7/2026 10:30 AM - 10/7/2026 11:45 AM
Summary
Can a strained labor-management relationship be repaired? The labor management team from the City of St. Charles Fire Department will share
lessons learned from rebuilding trust and communication. This session will
explore the causes of adversarial relationships and offer strategies for
restoring trust, finding common ground, and strengthening partnerships
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