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Articles on Municipal Law

Excessive force and qualified immunity after Plumhoff By Matthew S. Dionne Local Government Law, March 2015 This article summarizes the Plumhoff v. Rickard opinion, explores Plumhoff’s implications, and offers possible suggestions to attorneys and law enforcement in applying that decision.
Does your park provide enough notice to you of the intended users? By John Redlingshafer Local Government Law, October 2014 Do you have a park district as a client? How about a municipality or school district that allows the public to use its playground equipment? If the answer is “yes” to either of these questions, be sure you and your clients are aware of Bowman v. the Chicago Park District.
1 comment (Most recent October 9, 2014)
Militarization of American police By Kathryn E. Eisenhart Human and Civil Rights, October 2014 American police have become increasingly militarized through federal programs providing both military weapons and military tactics training. But who is holding them accountable?
Police training By Peter LaSorsa Human and Civil Rights, October 2014 A look at the training that police officers receive prior to obtaining a badge and gun.
CASE NOTE: Swain v. City of Chicago – Municipalities owe no duty to pedestrians injured outside crosswalk By Dennis L. Berkbigler Tort Law, July 2014 In this recent case, the Second Division of the First District Appellate Court re-affirmed its holding that a municipality owes no duty to a pedestrian who crosses a public street outside of the crosswalk.
Case summaries By Sonni Choi Williams, Phillip B. Lenzini, Matthew S. Dionne, & Rita Elsner Local Government Law, June 2014 Recent cases of interest to local government law practitioners.
Case summaries By Rita Elsner, Sonni Choi Williams, & Matthew S. Dionne Local Government Law, April 2014 Recent cases of interest to local government law practitioners.
More “user-friendly” notes in local government borrowing By Kurt P. Froehlich Local Government Law, March 2014 Notes as a financing option can result in a more user-friendly and quick mechanism for certain local government financings.
Useful citations to Illinois Compiled Statutes By Phillip B. Lenzini Local Government Law, February 2014 Looking for a particular statute? Use this handy guide, arranged by subject.
The court cost conundrum By Marty Shanahan Local Government Law, January 2014 A discussion of the problems of complex and ever-escalating court costs for non-aggravated traffic tickets.
Recent litigation Local Government Law, January 2014 Recent decisions of interest to local government law practitioners.
Who can waive a FOIA exemption from disclosure—A mayor or police superintendent? By Patrick T. Driscoll, Jr. Government Lawyers, January 2014 A summary of the recent case of Michael Dumke v. City of Chicago.
PAC Opinion report By Ruth A. Schlossberg Local Government Law, December 2013 Recent opinions from the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor.
“Why did the urban chicken cross the road?” How chickens are making “inroads” into urban communities By Melissa Anne Maye Local Government Law, December 2013 Urban chicken-keeping is on the rise, and suburban attorneys should familiarize themselves with local ordinances in order to properly advise their clients of the requirements of their local municipality.
Case updates By Sonni Choi Williams, Phillip B. Lenzini, Matthew S. Dionne, & Christina M. Webb Local Government Law, November 2013 Recent cases of interest to local government law practitioners.
Legislation update By Marty Shanahan Local Government Law, November 2013 Recent legislation of interest to local government law attorneys.
Easier to petition some alternate bonds/Harder to document certain coverages By Kurt P. Froehlich Local Government Law, October 2013 P.A. 98-0203, effective January 1, 2014, has somewhat eased the process for obtaining a petition to drive to referendum the issuance of alternate bonds.
Illinois Appellate Court strengthens the notice defense to liability for injuries occurring on public sidewalks: Zameer v. City of Chicago By Michael D. Bersani Local Government Law, October 2013 In Zameer v. City of Chicago, the Appellate Court recently interpreted the notice defense in a manner that should serve to limit municipal liability in residential sidewalk cases.
1 comment (Most recent October 4, 2013)
Implications of Koontz v. St. John’s River Water Management By Aaron N. Gruen Local Government Law, October 2013 A look at the implications of the Koontz decision for municipalities and developers engaging in the land use entitlement development process.
“Why did the urban chicken cross the road?” How chickens are making “inroads” into urban communities By Melissa Anne Maye Animal Law, October 2013 Urban chicken-keeping is on the rise, and suburban attorneys should familiarize themselves with local ordinances in order to properly advise their clients of the requirements of their local municipality.
Case update list Local Government Law, July 2013 Recent cases of interest to local government law attorneys.
Case update list Local Government Law, May 2013 Recent cases of interest to local government law attorneys.
Is it pointless for a municipality to adopt the international fire code? By Marty Shanahan Local Government Law, April 2013 There have been discussions throughout the state as to whether the International Fire Code provides fire prevention and safety standards equal to or higher than the National Fire Protection Association.
Updating eavesdropping: ACLU v. Alvarez and potential legislation By Jordan M. Kielian & David J. Silverman Government Lawyers, October 2012 ACLU v. Alvarez changed the landscape of the eavesdropping law in Illinois. Prosecutors can no longer enforce the law against people who openly record police officers performing their duties in public.
Case law updates By John Holmes Local Government Law, August 2012 Recent cases of interest to local government lawyers.
Updating eavesdropping: ACLU v. Alvarez and potential legislation By Jordan M. Kielian & David J. Silverman Local Government Law, August 2012 ACLU v. Alvarez changed the landscape of the eavesdropping law in Illinois. Prosecutors can no longer enforce the law against people who openly record police officers performing their duties in public.
Can public bodies claim records are “Outside the scope” of a FOIA request? By John Redlingshafer Local Government Law, June 2012 A discussion of the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor's binding opinion 12-009, which makes clear that “a public body is not authorized to redact information from responsive records which it considers to be ‘outside the scope’ of the FOIA request.”
Case law update By Rita Elsner Local Government Law, June 2012 Recent cases of interest to local government law practitioners.
When a private individual can claim qualified immunity—A look at Filarsky v. Delia By Lisle A. Stalter Federal Civil Practice, June 2012 On April 17th of this year, the United States Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, extended qualified immunity protections to a private individual hired by the government.
Municipal and county zoning and public school districts By Kurt P. Froehlich Local Government Law, May 2012 In an Opinion, the Illinois Attorney general recently concluded that “public school districts are subject to municipal and county zoning ordinances, except to the extent that compliance...would frustrate a school district’s statutory objectives.”

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