Municipal Law
KTJ has been representing municipalities throughout the Chicago area and Illinois since 1935. We not only serve as general counsel to numerous cities, towns and villages in Illinois, but also serve and support many additional municipalities with a wide variety of specialized services or projects as special counsel. KTJ attorneys have provided legal counsel and practical advice to our clients in all areas related to municipal operations throughout the years. Because our attorneys are capable and experienced in all facets of this practice area, we do not "farm out" litigation, nor do we seek outside counsel to handle specialized areas. Among our areas of expertise are the following.
Finance and Economic Development
We regularly assist our clients in addressing the legal complexities and requirements associated with budget, tax levy, debt financing, and other specialized financial issues, including bonds, tax increment financing districts, special assessments, special service areas, business districts, downtown redevelopment projects, developer incentive agreements, and tax rebate agreements.
Municipal Property Issues
Our attorneys are experienced in all types of property issues and transactions that affect municipalities. KTJ regularly assists its clients in the purchase and sale of both municipally-owned and private real property and the granting and obtaining of easements for various purposes. We have experience in condemnation work. We have also been involved in the development and preparation of "Naperville-type" ordinances requiring developer donations. The purchases of personal property by our clients regularly involve our reviewing specifications and contracts related to the product or equipment. In addition, we are experienced in all phases of financing the acquisition of property and the construction of new buildings, including financing through debt financing, or other municipal revenue sources. See the practice area section of our website on Real Estate for further information.
Our attorneys have experience in public sector construction law and litigation, including the contract process, acquisition and development, mechanics’ liens, letters of credit, leasing, lending, foreclosures, financing, and surety bonds. Our attorneys are experienced in the construction contract process and implementation, and in dealing with contractor/surety problems associated with unsatisfactory construction and construction failure. Our attorneys have been involved in and counseled our clients on varying bid or subcontracting matters related to construction projects. We have also assisted in the negotiation and review of architects' contracts and those of the general contractor or construction manager relative to public construction projects. We have successfully handled construction litigation relative to these types of projects and have assisted our clients in ensuring timely completion of projects within the agreed upon budget. See the practice area section of our website on “Construction Law” for further information in this area of practice.
Zoning and Development
We frequently serve as counsel to the zoning boards of our municipal clients and have counseled our clients in all matters related to annexation, zoning, subdivision, construction, general municipal growth, infrastructure installation and maintenance.
Labor and Employment
Our attorneys have assisted our clients with matters ranging from their basic compliance with legal requirements related to personnel policies and handbooks, and the hiring, retention, discipline and removal of employees, to issues or claims related to compliance with state and federal laws, including employment discrimination, personnel records, prevailing wage requirements, overtime, family and medical leave requirements, HIPAA and the Americans with Disabilities Act. For further information in this practice area, see the practice area section of our website on "Employment/Labor”.
Police and Fire Disciplinary Matters
Collective Bargaining
KTJ attorneys are experienced negotiators. Our lawyers have extensive experience not only representing cities and villages in negotiations with police and firefighters, but in negotiating various contracts for our other local government clients and private sector clients as well. Our firm has also developed an expertise in labor board cases and related litigation matters. Our lawyers have negotiated numerous union contracts, including collective bargaining agreements with the Federation of Police, the Service Employees International Union, the Teamsters, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Illinois Education Association. For further information in this practice area, see the “Employment/Labor” section of our website.
Board Practices and Procedures
Our lawyers have extensive experience with the regular practices and procedures which apply to the basic operations of local government in Illinois, including expertise on the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
Election Law
Special Purpose Tribunals
Our practice includes regular work with and before numerous specialized municipal boards, including police and fire commissions, pension boards, local municipal ordinance hearings, joint review (TIF) boards and local electoral boards.
For questions regarding Municipal Property Issues, please contact E. Kenneth Friker, Michael J. Duggan, Thomas P. Bayer, James V. Ferolo, Michael T. Jurusik, Scott F. Uhler or Kathleen T. Henn.
For questions regarding Municipal Construction Law, please contact Michael J. Duggan, Dennis G. Walsh or James G. Wargo.
For questions regarding Zoning and Development, please contact E. Kenneth Friker, Terrence M. Barnicle, Michael J. Duggan, Thomas P. Bayer,James V. Ferolo, Scott F. Uhler or Kathleen T. Henn.
For questions regarding Municipal Labor and Employment, please contact James P. Bartley, Michael J. Duggan, Scott F. Uhler or Thomas M. Melody.
For questions regarding Collective Bargaining, please contact James P. Bartley, Michael J. Duggan, or Thomas M. Melody.