Matt Cohen & Associates

02/17/2026

Meet Jill Calian (she/her), one of our incredible attorneys.

A few words from Jill:
"As a parent of a child with a rare genetic disorder, I care deeply about amplifying the voice of parents/guardians in the special education process. I have practiced law in this field for approximately 10 years and have been involved with special education policy advocacy for over 20 years. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and have lived in the Chicago area for almost all my life."

Jill supports families through a variety of legal processes relating to special education services, including through mediation and due process. Reach out today to connect or follow her on Facebook at Jill Calian MCA Spedlaw

02/12/2026

An interesting look into financial relationship between CPS and the city's charter schools.

After a rough year in which several charters have announced closure or asked Chicago Public Schools for help with cash flow issues, a new district working group is brainstorming solutions and tackling a key question: Is the problem district underfunding, charter mismanagement, or both?

02/11/2026

We’re excited to share the February edition of our firm newsletter! Each month, our team brings you important updates on:

🔹 Special education and disability rights news
🔹 Announcements from our attorneys and advocates
🔹 Upcoming events

Read it and sign up here: https://conta.cc/3M33MK8

12/07/2025

The Dept of Ed is cutting funds for research on effective education, better training of teachers and mental health services, but they are now giving a grant to support understanding of the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment. Unbelievable hypocrisy but another sign of their inhumanity.

The Department of Education is providing a new grant to the University of Wyoming's College of Law's Fi****ms Research Center to implement pro-2A education.

The program equips teachers with primary source documents, classroom-friendly video content, and meaningful engagement with 2A scholars via webinars and an in-person conference.

This is the latest move in Donald J. Trump's agenda to protect and promote our Second Amendment rights.

Get the full details from Bearing Arms' Cam Edwards ⬇️

https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2025/12/02/department-of-education-wants-to-develop-pro-2a-curriculum-n1230779

11/27/2025

On this, the 50Th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, many thanks to all those that helped to secure the passage of the law, to those that are fighting to preserve it today and to the educators, clinicians, caregivers and especially all the parents who work tirelessly every day to improve the lives of kids with disabilities. A special thanks to my staff, who are devoted to promoting improved educational opportunities and life experiences for all the kids we work with.
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.
Matt Cohen

11/03/2025

Check out our website at www.mattcohenandassociates.com

10/14/2025

Trump just fired most of the staff of the U.S. Department of Education Offices of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services and Office of Special Education Programs, effectively gutting most of the administration of federal special education programs in the United States. Read COPAA's statement in opposition. Contact your Senators and Congresspeople to express your objection. A link to do so is embedded in the COPAA statement : You can access it at:

09/17/2025

If you have experienced a cut to your child's aides or staff at CPS, we would be happy to talk to you further about that.

WBEZ found that CPS cut about 1,000 positions last spring. Then, weeks into this school year, it opened hundreds of new jobs. The district says this approach helps ensures all schools get proper staffing.

09/17/2025

Matt Cohen was quoted in this article regarding the Chicago Office for Civil Rights closing.

Some days, Mollie McGuire wondered if her then 7-year-old son was dying. The wide-eyed boy, who once raced off to school, came home from class and hid in his room. He barely spoke to his parents. For months, he ate only a handful of select foods and would experience sudden onsets of anxiety, sobbing...

09/05/2025

Possible storm clouds on the CPS special education horizon –
Steps forward and steps back!
From Matt Cohen and Christine Palmieri – September 5, 2025

Read the full copy here: https://conta.cc/4m1kWn8

08/13/2025

Did you know that we offer a monthly E-News letter devoted to sharing information about special education, disability rights, mental health and human services law, political policy, and research that is of importance to people with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who work with them? It also includes updates and news about our firm and its activities. We hope you find it helpful and welcome your comments and suggestions. — Matt Cohen.

To see the August 2025 Enews, click here: https://conta.cc/3UjYjPI

To sign up for the Enews, visit here https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001Wa58ZNPFtyVaI9H3hYdKXq
6Qul3ibCnt

To see past copies of the Enews, visit the resource page on our website at https://www.mattcohenandassociates.com/e-newsletters/

08/04/2025