Townships—Government closest to the peopleBy Natalie L. PesinLocal Government Law, September 2016What does a township do for you and your community? And if we consolidated or eliminated townships, what would be the result?
Municipal bankruptcy: Detroit and its impact on other major citiesBy Reilly PaulCorporate Law Departments, November 2013The judgment on Detroit’s bankruptcy is still out, but, negative or positive, the largest municipal bankruptcy in history has certainly changed the way that American cities will handle financial crises now and into the future.
Case law updatesLocal Government Law, December 2012Recent cases of interest to local government law practitioners.
Video gaming—A good gamble for future municipal revenues?By Marty ShanahanLocal Government Law, December 2012In difficult economic times, a municipality may increase its revenue by simply allowing video gaming within its borders. Are municipalities willing to take that “chance” despite the stigma and possible ill effects of video gaming? Will the state reduce the amount of the Distributive Fund percentage allocated to the municipality, leaving the municipality with all of the problems and reduced or no benefits? A majority of Illinois municipalities seem to be willing to take the “gamble.”
Case law updateLocal Government Law, October 2011Recent cases of interest to local government practitioners.
Troubled times require new approachesBy Kathleen Field OrrLocal Government Law, October 2011Only time will permit the market place to absorb the thousands of foreclosures of both commercial and residential properties. In order to participate in modest growth and reasonable expansion to sustain the infrastructure that has been put into place, communities must revisit their demands upon developer for impact fees, land dedications and renegotiate recapture agreements.
Case law updatesBy Michael D. Bersani, Rita Edsner, & Adam MargolinLocal Government Law, August 2011Recent cases of interest to local government lawyers.
Personal property replacement taxes and public librariesBy Phillip B. LenziniLocal Government Law, August 2011If a library existed before 1978, it should be receiving personal property tax replacement funds, either directly from the State or through its host municipality or township.
Negotiating tax increment financing redevelopment agreementsBy Herbert J. KleinLocal Government Law, April 2011As redevelopment agreements typically exist for a number of years, care should be taken to address all known and reasonably anticipated issues in a clear and unambiguous manner. Here's a look at some of the items the agreement should address.
Case summariesLocal Government Law, January 2011Recent cases of interest to Local Government lawyers.
Revenue sharing analysis for traffic citationsBy Marty ShanahanLocal Government Law, January 2011A look at how revenues are shared among the different departments within a municipality.
Illinois local governments filing for Chapter 9 bankruptciesBy W. Britt IsalyLocal Government Law, December 2010Chapter 9 bankruptcy is now available to eligible units of local governments, by way of the “specific authorization” section of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 109(c).
Sea change in Illinois eminent domain lawBy Pat LordLocal Government Law, December 2010The difficulties that eminent domain petitioners face under the New Eminent Domain Act will likely be exacerbated by the recent case of Forest Preserve District of DuPage County v. First National Bank of Franklin Park et al.
Case law summariesLocal Government Law, November 2010Recent cases affecting municipal laws.
Dumber than dirtBy Phillip B. LenziniLocal Government Law, November 2010A look at the recent case of Board of Education of Auburn Community Unit School District No. 10 v. Ill. Department of Revenue etc. et al.
Case summariesBy Zeke McCartneyLocal Government Law, September 2010Brief synopses of cases relating to municipal law.
Municipality successfully asserts estoppelBy David J. Silverman & Jonathan C. HughleyLocal Government Law, September 2010A review of the recent case of Humphrey Property Group LLC v. the Village of Frankfort.
TIF 101By David J. SilvermanLocal Government Law, September 2010An explanation of Tax Increment Allocation Financing, arguably the most powerful economic redevelopment tool available to municipalities in Illinois.
Vested development rightsBy Steven D. MahrtLocal Government Law, September 2010The recently decided case of 1350 Lake Shore Associates v. Randall will make it more difficult for a developer to succeed on a vested rights claim.
The continuing expansion of the Public Safety Employee Benefits ActBy Carlos S. ArévaloLocal Government Law, June 2010The Legislature’s failure to specify its intentions will lead to further disputes between cash-strapped local governments struggling to meet the rising costs of operations and disabled safety employees trying to meet and keep up with increasing health care costs.
History of township governmentBy John W. FoltzLocal Government Law, February 2010Township government has its origins in that checker-board system of local geography which a township map of Illinois depicts. The precise forms under which the people of Illinois are today governing themselves have been largely shaped by the history of the State.
Safety vs. sanctity—The balancing act of rental property inspectionsBy Mark C. PalmerLocal Government Law, February 2010The Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution safeguard the right of individuals against unreasonable searches. Although many variations exist in both the criminal and civil contexts, the governing principle is simple: "a search of private property without proper consent is 'unreasonable' unless it has been authorized by a valid search warrant."
