Employers Counsel Network Conference
Wednesday, April 29 - Friday, May 1, 2026
Fox, Swibel, Levin & Carroll, LLP
200 W. Madison St. Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606
Kimpton Gray Hotel
122 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL, 60603
Reservations
BLR has secured a room block for conference attendees at a discounted rate of $219 per night at the Kimpton Gray Hotel, a convenient 5-minute walk to the office.
Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the block is filled or until Wednesday April 8, 5:00 p.m. CST, whichever occurs first.
Attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations through our booking link below. For those wishing to extend their stay beyond the block dates, please contact the hotel directly.
Book online here
or call: 1-877-771-7031
Check in: 3:00 p.m.
Check out: 12:00 p.m.
Travel
The Kimpton Gray Hotel is within a 30-minute drive to both local airports.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
10000 O'Hare Ave
Chicago, IL 60666
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
5700 S Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60638
Please note: Attendees are responsible for their transportation to and from the airport.
Parking in the area can be challenging. We recommend utilizing rideshare services instead of renting a car for the easiest experience.
Welcome reception
Wednesday, April 29
Hosted by Fox, Swibel, Levin, & Carroll, LLP
200 West Madison Street, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Agenda
Location:
Fox, Swibel, Levin, & Carroll, LLP
200 West Madison Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
7:30 – 8:15 AM Breakfast
8:05 – 8:15 AM Welcome & Introductions
8:15 – 9:15 AM AI in the Workplace: Are We Ready?
Arup Varma, Professor of Management, Frank W. Considine Chair in Applied Ethics, Loyola University of Chicago
9:15 – 10:00 AM Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA)
David Levine, Partner, Fox Swibel
10:00 – 10:30 AM Fox Swibel Client Panel: What Employers Wish Their Attorneys Knew
10:30 – 10:45 AM Break Sponsored by JAMS Mediation
10:45 – 11:45 AM Mediation Through the Looking Glass
Charles F. “Chuck” Smith, JAMS
11:45 AM-1:15PM Time on Your Own
1:15 PM-1:25PM Meet in Kimpton Gray Hotel lobby if you will be joining us for the Wendella Cruise!
Agenda
Location:
Fox, Swibel, Levin, & Carroll, LLP
200 West Madison Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 AM ECN King Awards Presentation
8:45-9:45 AM Washington Legislative, Regulatory and Agency Update
Nita Beecher, FortneyScott, Washington, DC
9:45-10:45 AM Immigration Update for Employers
Jacob M. Monty, Monty & Ramirez, Houston, TX
10:45-11 AM Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM DEI Panel
12:00 PM Closing Remarks & Announcement of ECN 2027 Conference Location
Group activities
Private Wendella Cruise -
Thursday April 30, 2026
Boarding: 1:45 p.m. | Departure: 2:00 p.m.
Duration - ~2 hours
400 N Michigan Ave., West Dock 4
Chicago, IL 60611
Join us for an exclusive 2-hour private Wendella boat tour in Chicago, exploring both the city’s scenic rivers and the sparkling Lake Michigan shoreline. Enjoy included beverages as you relax, take in iconic architecture, and experience the city from the water.
A shuttle will be provided and will depart from the Kimpton Gray Hotel promptly at 1:30 p.m.
*Boats are climate controlled, covered, and cruise in all weather types. Visit Wendella’s Weather & Seasons page for practical tips and seasonal weather preparedness.
Separate registration required for the activity. Please register here if you have not done so yet - by April 1.
Group dinner
Prime & Provisions
222 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60601
6:30 p.m. | The LaSalle Room
A shuttle will be provided for all attending. Shuttle will depart from the Kimpton Gray Hotel promptly at 6:15 p.m.