Nominating Petition Deadline Moved to December 26, 2012

Governor Signs Legislation By Richard Joseph richard.joseph@mhtlaw.com As you may have been aware, the deadline for filing Nominating Petitions for the April 9, 2013 Consolidated Election was December 24, 2012.  This was causing great consternation amongst local governmental entities since it would require the public body to stay open until 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve…

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Duty to Post Compensation of Employees

Change to Open Meetings Act Requires Posting of Total Compensation Package By Richard M. Joseph richard.joseph@mhtlaw.com At this time of the year, most municipalities are in the process of establishing budgets and appropriations for the 2012/2013 fiscal year and establishing salaries for municipal employees. Due to a change in the Illinois Open Meetings Act (the…

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Zoning Ordinances Cannot Impose a Substantial Burden on Religious Exercise

Churches Must Be on Equal Terms with Nonreligious Institutions By Katherine Swise katherine.swise@mhtlaw.com Regulating land use through zoning ordinances is one of the most fundamental functions of municipal government.  However, recent federal court cases have highlighted the potential restrictions municipalities face when regulating land use as it applies to churches and other religious institutions.  The…

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New Rules for Ordinance Violations

New Supreme Court Rules require review and updating of ordinances By Joshua D. Herman joshua.herman@mhtlaw.com On December 7, 2011, new Illinois Supreme Court Rules (“Rules”) governing ordinance violations went into effect.  These new Rules address many issues a municipality faces when dealing with ordinance violations. The Rules clarify how a municipality may initiate ordinance prosecutions…

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