From D.C. to Chicago: How 2026 Enforcement Trends Will Hit Your Workforce CLE

Federal enforcement priorities are shifting sharply in 2026, and Chicago‑area employers—especially those operating across multiple states—face elevated compliance and litigation risks. Recent EEOC and DOL actions targeting DEI programs, reverse‑discrimination claims, religious accommodation issues, and changes to workforce development protections signal the types of investigations and private claims employers are likely to encounter. Illinois-based employers are also facing a number of new regulations with which they must comply.

 This Cozen O’Connor‑led program will brief in‑house counsel on what these agency moves mean for day‑to‑day compliance, workforce policies, and risk management across both Illinois operations and national footprints. Attendees will leave with practical, defensible strategies to stay ahead of enforcement trends and protect their organizations in a shifting regulatory environment.

AGENDA

11:30 AM: Registration/Networking

12:00 PM: Lunch

12:15 - 1:15 PM: CLE Program

SPEAKERS
Matt Barszcz, Member, Cozen O’Connor
Jeremy Glenn, Member, Cozen O’Connor
Chris Hennessy, Member, Cozen O’Connor
Melanie Stewart, Director, Senior Counsel, Employee Relations, Stanley Black & Decker