Our local government practice group is based in Illinois with a predominant practice base and presence in Chicago, Bolingbrook and Park Ridge. We have been representing local governmental entities, including municipalities, villages, park districts and school districts throughout the Chicago metropolitan area for more than 40 years.
The group includes experienced, senior attorneys who were previously with the recognized local government law firms of Raysa & Zimmermann (John Zimmermann, Bill Raysa and Michael Zimmermann); Moss and Bloomberg (David Freeman, George Marchetti, Barry Moss, Jim Boan); Friedman & Holtz (Charlene Holtz); and Brooks, Adams & Tarulis (Steve Adams). The group also includes Kathleen Elliott, who served as a City Attorney for the City of Rockford for 27 years, and Cindy Hansen, who was formerly supervising attorney within the Chicago Public Schools. These individuals, together with other attorneys at Tressler, have specialized in the representation of local government entities, their board members, officers, departments and employees throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. We can truly say that we have one of the most experienced and multi-faceted local government practices in Illinois.
Our experienced local governmental law team understands the broad spectrum of complex issues that our clients face, and are able to provide advice and representation in a wide variety of contexts, including financial planning, real estate and land use matters, capital project implementation, construction matters, ordinances and regulations, legislative counseling, intergovernmental cooperation and conflict, ethics compliance, contracts for services and equipment, personnel policies, employment contracts and employment actions, grant compliance and constitutional law issues. On behalf of our school district clients, we provide depth of experience in special education and student matters. In addition, our attorneys have been involved in drafting legislation and have represented local governmental entities in state and federal court, including the Illinois Supreme Court.
Recognized for our knowledge in the representation of local governmental entities, members of our firm frequently lecture at conferences sponsored by the Illinois Municipal League, the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, Illinois Association of Park Districts, Illinois Association of School Administrators and a myriad of other local governmental groups. Members of our firm have also authored the chapters on Municipal Litigation and Variations, Special Uses and Appeals from Administrative Decisions for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), in addition to the "Special Education" chapter within the Illinois School Law: Personnel and Student Issues practice handbook published by IICLE.