Local Government Law Bulletin
PSEBA Case Continues Benefits for Injured Police Officer Released for Active Duty
The recent case of Vaughn v. City of Carbondale involved the continuation of Public Service Employees Benefit Act (PSEBA) health insurance benefits for a police officer who received in the line-of-duty benefits after striking his head while trying to reach a radio in...
New Law Prohibits Ordinances from Punishing Those Who Call Police
Not long ago, Governor Rauner signed into law a public act prohibiting ordinances from penalizing tenants who contact police or other emergency services. Specifically, the law was enacted so that tenants do not fear punishment for calling the police in cases of...
Illinois Appellate Court Holds on Takings and Private Residences
The Illinois Second District Appellate Court recently affirmed a decision allowing a municipality to make repairs on a residential property. At issue, the plaintiff claimed that the City committed an impermissible taking when it installed a traditional shingle roof on...
Illinois Supreme Court Affirms that School Board Must Comply with Municipal Zoning
The case of Gurba v. Community High School District No. 155 worked its way up to the Illinois Supreme Court, after the trial and appellate court had ruled in favor of the City of Crystal Lake’s zoning authority over the school district. The controversy in the Gurba...
Illinois Appellate Court Finds That Relocation of Road Was Not a Material Impairment
An Illinois Appellate Court recently affirmed a decision finding that the relocation of a new highway, to which the property in question formerly had access, was not a material impairment of the property. In so finding, the Appellate Court followed a scenario...
Two Cases Set Up a Potential Conflict Regarding Municipal Authority to Regulate Video Gaming
Two recent appellate court decisions, one from the First District and one from the Fifth District, provide different indications regarding municipal authority to act in relation to the Illinois Gaming Board’s authority over video gaming. The case of J&J Ventures...
GASB Announces New Disclosure Requirements
Last month, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) announced the issuance of new guidelines requiring local governments to disclose information about tax abatement agreements. Many municipalities agree to abate or reduce taxes in an effort to stimulate and...
Public Act Relieves Non-Home Rule Units from Burdensome Requirements
Governor Rauner recently signed a new bill that relieves non-home rule units of local government from complying with arduous administrative law requirements. Specifically, this new law relieves non-home rule units from satisfying the laborious task of registering...
Using Personal Emails for Government Business: How NOT to do it
The University of Illinois recently disclosed that its former Chancellor and other university employees intentionally used private email addresses for the purpose of evading public disclosure of several sensitive matters. Not only did they discuss public business in...