Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins’ President and Partner Michael T. Jurusik recently presented at the 2026 Illinois Municipal League (IML) Annual Conference, as part of the Conference’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Seminar.

Mike, joined by Maggie Jarr, Deputy Village Manager, Village of La Grange Park and Gordy Hulten, Chief Operating Officer, Illinois Municipal League, presented “Every TIF District Needs a Roadmap.” The panel offered guidance to help municipalities comply with annual and milestone deadlines imposed by the TIF Act District, covered options for funding TIF District projects and reviewed a recent 2026 court decision affecting how municipalities amend existing TIF Districts and form new TIF Districts.

The session covered these key highlights:

• Key TIF Act compliance rules, including the 7-year, 10-year and anti-poaching rules
• Annual deadlines for surplus increment and school and library district reimbursements
• Best practices for Joint Review Board meetings and annual TIF audit reporting
• A recent appellate decision on replacing expiring TIF Districts with new ones
• Financing options for TIF District projects, including grants, loans and TIF bonds
• A legislative update on extending TIF District terms

Learn more here.

For more than 30 years, Mike has counseled Illinois local governments, special districts and private clients on economic development matters, including tax increment financing, business districts and special service areas. He serves as Village Attorney for the Villages of Maywood, Western Springs and La Grange. He has co-authored several IML manuals and handbooks on municipal law and regularly presents at seminars hosted by the IML, the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and the Illinois State Bar Association.

Founded in 1913, the IML has worked continuously for the benefit of municipalities, promoting competence and integrity in the administration of municipal government. The IML Annual Conference is the premier educational and networking opportunity for municipal officials and staff, providing specially-designed session tracks to learn from industry experts, exchange ideas, and build relationships with municipal colleagues.