Special Districts

KTJ has provided legal representation to numerous additional special districts, including fire protection districts, park districts, townships and sanitary sewer districts. We serve both as general counsel to numerous municipalities and special districts in Illinois, and also serve and support many additional municipalities and special districts with a wide variety of specialized services or projects. We are a full service local government firm and do not "farm out" litigation, nor do we seek outside counsel to handle specialized areas. Our attorneys are capable and experienced in all facets of the special district practice area. We offer a wide-range of expertise in all matters which may arise involving special districts. The following are a sampling of these areas of expertise.

Finance

We regularly assist our clients in addressing the legal complexities and requirements associated with budget, bonds, tax levy, debt financing, and other specialized financial issues, including tax increment financing, special assessments, special service areas, downtown redevelopment projects, and developer incentive agreements.

Property Issues

Our attorneys are experienced in all types of property issues and transactions that affect local governments. We have experience in condemnation work and have been involved in the development and preparation of "Naperville-type" ordinances requiring developer donations. KTJ has also been involved in the purchase and sale of public properties, to and from private corporations, the granting and obtaining of easements for various purposes, and in the preparation of purchase and sale of personal property. The purchases of personal property regularly involve reviewing specifications and contracts related to the product or equipment. We are experienced in all phases of financing the acquisition of property, the acquisition of raw land and the construction of new buildings, including the acquisition through debt financing, or other revenue sources.

Construction Law

Our attorneys have experience in public sector construction law and litigation, including the contract process, acquisition and development, mechanics’ liens, letters of credit, surety bonds, leasing, lending, foreclosures and financing. Our attorneys are familiar with 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.

Zoning and Development

We have counseled our clients in all matters related to annexation, zoning, subdivision, construction, general municipal growth, infrastructure installation and maintenance.

Employment/Labor

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 general “Employment/Labor” section of our website.

Collective Bargaining

KTJ attorneys are experienced negotiators. Our lawyers have extensive negotiating experience in negotiating various contracts for our 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 general “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 the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

Election Law

Our attorneys have provided assistance and consultation to our public sector clients relative to their obligations in complying with the Illinois Election Code and related statutory requirements. For further information in this practice area, see the general “Election Law” section of our website.

Special Purpose Tribunals

Our practice includes regular work with and before numerous special district boards, commissions and committees. 

Partners with Expertise in Special District Law
 

For questions regarding Special Districts, please contact Thomas P. Bayer, Dennis G. Walsh, Michael T. Jurusik, E. Kenneth Friker, James V. Ferolo or Gerard E. Dempsey.