About the Author
David J. Braun, of Champaign, is an attorney with the firm of Franczek P.C., a firm he joined after practicing for 18 years with his father, the late Brian A. Braun. He was born in Springfield during the time his father was an attorney on the staff of the Illinois Association of School Boards. David was raised in Champaign, attending Champaign Public Schools and Champaign Centennial High School. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Southern Illinois University School of Law.
David is a member of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys and has served, since 2015, as adjunct faculty in the College of Education in the Educational Administration and Foundations Department at Illinois State University, where he teaches school law. He previously served as adjunct faculty at the Department of Educational Leadership at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
David and his wife, Sadie, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Audiology at the University of Illinois, have three children, Samantha, Ariella, and Naftali.
Author’s Acknowledgements
Though he would deny it, the success of this Illinois School Law Survey is a credit to the lifetime of service my father, affectionately known by his grandchildren as “Pop,” dedicated to making the world a better place for school students. I was fortunate to learn faster than I deserved while working with a stern but brilliant mentor and, eventually, partner. I will forever be grateful to him for the example he set, and will spend my lifetime trying to serve out the gift of his mentorship.
I am grateful to my incredible colleagues, attorneys, and staff at Franczek, P.C., for their support of my continued work through this meaningful and important project. The freedom to continue this work in the way my father would have wanted has been both a relief and an opportunity I do not take for granted. The countless answers and thoughts provided by those too numerous to name has resulted in what I hope will be viewed as the most relevant and pertinent text Dad and I have produced.
My sincere thanks to the attorneys and staff at the firm my father helped found, Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk & Miller, Ltd., who supported this educational mission from its inception and provided me the grace and space needed to keep it going. Thanks also to Kara Kienzler at IASB, who was exceptionally patient, kind, and supportive as I have worked to fill very big shoes – I remain more appreciative than I can adequately describe.
Thanks to my brothers, Aaron and Max, who continue to tolerate incomprehensible grumbling and family gatherings with books spread everywhere. It is in them that I will continue to seek Dad’s wisdom.
For Mom who always had Dad’s back, my wife Sadie who always has mine, and my children Samantha, Ariella, and Naftali, who never cease to amuse and impress, and who will inherit the world Pop and I have tried to make better for them.
David J. Braun
Champaign, Illinois
March 1, 2026
Publisher's Note
Illinois School Law Survey originated at the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), conceived by Jerry Glaub (1937-2018), longtime Director of Communications and Deputy Executive Director at IASB. In 1990, Glaub and developing authors David L. Franklin and Brian A. Braun collaborated on the first of what is now the 19th edition.
David L. Franklin, Ph.D. was a professor at Illinois State University (ISU) in Normal and Sangamon State University in Springfield, teaching courses in school law. He was editor of ISU’s Illinois School Law Quarterly.
Brian A. Braun (1947-2023) was an attorney on the staff of IASB from 1977 until 1983, when he joined the law firm of Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk & Miller, Ltd. He lectured on school law and labor relations at Illinois colleges and universities, was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Council of School Attorneys, and was past chairman of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys. In 1996 he received the Harold P. Seamon Award from IASB for distinguished service to public education. He was posthumously awarded the Exemplary Service to Education Award from the Illinois Association of School Administrators in 2023. Brian A. Braun was sole author of 15 editions of Illinois School Law Survey.