LOCAL GOVERNMENT
TRAINING MATERIALS FOR MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BOARDS OF UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The attached is a summary of obligations associated with representing a unit of local government as a member of its governing board… [Read More]
MUNICIPAL LAW
BUILDING A SOLID FUTURE: A PRIMER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
One of the issues which public agencies face on a regular basis is the construction of public buildings. After the tentative decision to proceed with a construction project is made, a series of important decisions follow… [Read More]
DISCIPLINE OF VOLUNTEER AND POC FIREFIGHTERS AND EMTS
The first decision to be made in the discipline of Volunteer and Paid on Call (POC) Firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) is whether any formal process needs to be followed… [Read More]
THE FUTURE OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (PART 2/2)
Part One of this two-part article addressed the engineering aspects of integrating environmentally friendly stormwater management principles and bioswales into municipal development. The environmental and engineering benefits of such systems are undeniably clear. However, there remain significant questions regarding the authority of municipalities and other units of government to require or construct the improvements and significant questions regarding the method of financing the same… [Read More]
THE FUTURE OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT: BIOSWALES AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY STORMWATER CONTROL (PART 1/2)
Stormwater management has long been regarded in municipal circles as a necessary evil; in order to permit development to occur, the impervious area and resultant stormwater runoff generated must be accommodated in some fashion. Without careful planning, poor stormwater control results in flooding, mosquito abatement issues and unhappy residents… [Read More]
SPECIAL SERVICE AREAS IN ILLINOIS (PART 3/3)
V. How Litigation has Shaped SSAs. While SSAs are creatures of statute, it is the case law developed from years of litigation that has fleshed out theprocedural bones provided by the legislature… [Read More]
SPECIAL SERVICE AREAS IN ILLINOIS (PART 2/3)
III. SSAs in Operation. Once an SSA is created and operational, “the corporate authorities of the municipality or county shall be the governing body of the special service area… [Read More]
SPECIAL SERVICE AREAS IN ILLINOIS (PART 1/3)
I. Money, That’s What Units of Local Government Want. Municipalities in the State of Illinois have a variety of means of taxation available to financially support themselves when undertaking the roles historically performed by units of local government… [Read More]
SCHOOL LAW ARTICLES
FARM ANIMALS AT SCHOOL?
It is a Friday afternoon, nearly 4:00pm, and you are thinking about the upcoming weekend when a high school principal from one of the school districts you represent calls to talk with you about a new project… [Read More]