4th Annual Local Government Law Institute - December 2nd

4th Annual Local Government Law Institute - December 2nd

  Wednesday, October 19, 2016    Julie Tappendorf

---

For all of you local government attorneys out there, the 4th Annual Local Government Law Institute hosted by IICLE is almost here!  This year's day-long seminar will include sessions on employee discipline, financing municipal improvements, dealing with challenging boards, sunshine laws, hot topics such as home and car-sharing, and a special "in-house counsel" panel discussion. As always, the seminar will conclude with a networking cocktail reception at 4:30 pm.  

For more information about the seminar and to sign up, visit IICLE's website here. Details are below:

4th Annual Local Government Law Institute, IICLE 2016

Friday, December 2, 2016

8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with reception to follow)

UBS Tower (Chicago)

7:45 – 8:15 Registration

8:15 – 8:30 Welcome & Announcements

Steven M. Elrod, Holland & Knight LLP, Chicago
Peter M. Friedman, Holland & Knight LLP, Chicago

8:30 – 9:30 Legislative & Case Law Update

Learn about the most recent legal developments affecting local government, including new and pending legislation, as well as analysis of relevant cases from the U.S. Supreme Court and Illinois courts.  General trends in municipal litigation and the impact of the ongoing Springfield budget impasse on municipalities will also be covered.
Peter M. Friedman, Holland & Knight LLP, Chicago
Michael F. Zimmermann, Tressler LLP, Chicago

9:30 – 10:15  Local Government Employee Discipline

A straightforward discussion on issues related to discipline and termination of key local government employees, and differences based on employee contracts, unionized employees and collective bargaining agreements, and civil service employee protections.  Learn about best practices for implementing all types of employment decisions. This session will also contrast arbitration with Civil Service/BFPC proceedings, and offer advice on how to successfully handle all forms of sensitive employment decisions.
John B. Murphey, Rosenthal, Murphey, Coblentz & Donahue, Chicago

10:15 – 10:30               Break

10:30 – 11:15 Financing Municipal Improvements

Municipalities requiring major public improvements often struggle with revenue and other fiscal restrictions.  Learn how municipalities can effectively finance necessary public improvements through both traditional and more complex and creative methods, including public-private partnerships and tax increment financing options.
James V. Ferolo, Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins, Ltd., Chicago
Katherine S. Janega, Former Attorney for Village of Winnetka, Chicago

11:15 – 12:15 Providing Counsel to Challenging Boards
(1.0 Professional Responsibility Pending Approval)

One of the most sensitive aspects of representing local governments is navigating the often challenging dynamics of the corporate authorities and the public and applicants that participate in meetings.  This interactive session will help you anticipate and handle tricky situations such as navigating intra-board disputes and board vs. manager disputes, dealing with difficult residents, and handling outspoken employees.
 Steven M. Elrod, Holland & Knight LLP, Chicago
Julie A. Tappendorf, Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Krafthefer, P.C., Chicago

12:30 -- 1:30  Lunch with the Masters

(1.0 Professional Responsibility Pending Approval)

“Texting and Emailing: Best (or Worst?) Practices”
During our annual “lunch & learn” session, each member of our top-notch faculty will lead a small-group discussion on the ethical and practical dilemma of electronic messaging that confronts every elected and appointed public official.  Recent cases on this topic will also be analyzed.
 All Members of the Faculty

1:30 – 2:15  Sunshine Laws

The Illinois Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Acts impact all aspects of local governance.  In addition to the most common uses of FOIA requests and OMA requirements, these statutes are now used to obtain information on matters ranging from marital disputes to estate litigation.  This session will review the latest case law, amendments, and AG opinions.  Hypothetical scenarios will help explain the procedures, exemptions, and enforcement options under FOIA and the OMA. Identifying “public bodies” and “public records,” protecting sensitive records, and a discussion of the ethical aspects of public disclosure laws will also be covered.
Steven B. Adams, Robbins Schwartz, Chicago
Lance C. Malina, Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins, Ltd., Chicago

2:15 – 3:15  Panel Discussion:  Hot Topics in Local Government Law

Through war stories and audience questions, all members of the faculty will offer insight on “hot topics” facing local government attorneys, including:

·         Transgender restrooms and other LGBTQ issues

·         AirBnB and home sharing uses

·         Uber and ride sharing activities

·         Consolidation of local governments

·         2016 Election fall-out

Katherine S. Janega, Panel Moderator
All Members of the Faculty will Participate as Members of the Panel

3:15 – 3:30 Break

3:30 – 4:45 Special In-House Counsel Panel Discussion:
 (1.25 Professional Responsibility Pending Approval)

Corporate Counsel from several municipalities will offer insight into the operations of municipal in-house legal departments, how they try to maximize the effectiveness and utilization of outside counsel, and other key issues facing local governments from around the State.  This session will discuss: 

·         Who’s the client?

·         The differences between  “damage control” and “risk management”

·         How in-house attorneys work with outside municipal counsel on special matters

·         How in-house attorneys work with outside counsel who represent other clients

Grant Farrar, City Attorney, City of Evanston
Patrick W. Hayes, Legal Director, City of Rockford
Jeffrey R. Jurgens, City Attorney, City of Bloomington
Patricia J. Lord, Senior Assistant City Attorney, City of Naperville 
Michael M. Lorge, Corporation Counsel, Village of Skokie
Enza Petrarca, Village Attorney, Village of Downers Grove
Steven M. Elrod and Peter M. Friedman, Panel Moderators

4:45 – 6:00   You’re Invited! Annual Networking Cocktail Reception Immediately Following

Now is the time to ask your own “cocktail party questions!” Join the faculty and other participants for food and drinks and add to your referral and professional network. All planning committee and faculty members will be in attendance and this event is included with your tuition.