Contact Us NowHB3793 would eliminate inflationary increases if EAV has declined By Richard M. Joseph richard.joseph@mhtlaw.com HB3793 affects taxing districts in counties subject to PTELL (tax caps). Under current law, increases in the extension of real estate taxes levied by a tax capped district are limited to the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is less. (The…
Municipal Electric Aggregation
Law allows voters to grant Municipalities the right to choose who supplies residential electricity By Richard M. Joseph richard.joseph@mhtlaw.com How would you like to offer the benefit of lower utility rates for the citizens and small commercial establishments in your municipality? Many Illinois municipalities have recently responded yes to this question and are in the…
Mandatory Open Meetings Act Training for Members of Local Government
Recent amendment to Open Meetings Act requires all elected and appointed members of public bodies to receive training By Robert B. McCoy robert.mccoy@mhtlaw.com A recent amendment to the Open Meetings Act, which becomes effective January 1, 2012, requires all elected or appointed members of a public body to receive mandatory training regarding the various requirements…
FOIA Changes in Regards to “Recurrent Requesters”
Change in legislation allows governmental bodies more time to respond By Richard M. Joseph richard.joseph@mhtlaw.com On August 26, 2011, Governor Quinn signed into law an amendment to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (the “Act”) designed to provide additional time for public bodies to respond to requests of “recurrent requesters”. The new law is being…
Drafting a Social Networking Policy
Issues for districts considering whether and how to regulate employees’ electronic communications By Joshua D. Herman joshua.herman@mhtlaw.com Social networking platforms and personal technology devices provide unique opportunities to educate and interact in the modern age. Unchecked, the same technology can also lend itself to unprofessional behavior by employees and the publication or exposure of records…
Joshua Herman named Young Lawyer of the Year by ISBA
Miller, Hall & Triggs LLC congratulates Joshua D. Herman on being named the 2011 Young Lawyer of the Year by the ISBA. Selection is based upon the lawyer’s particular achievements in the practice of law, including excellence in advocacy, counseling, or litigation; contributions to the advancement of the Bar of Illinois and the legal profession…
Appointment of Municipal Officials and Agency Board Members
Appointment of Municipal Officials and Agency Board Members By Richard M. Joseph richard.joseph@mhtlaw.com After municipal elections pass, or upon vacancies in municipal office, it is often helpful to review the manner of appointment for various municipal officials and agency board members, such as the: municipal manager or administrator, municipal attorney, clerk (when the position is…
Property Tax Relief Through Imposition of a Sales Tax
Property Tax Relief Through Imposition of a Sales Tax By Richard M. Joseph richard.joseph@mhtlaw.com Effective January 1, 2003, the State Legislature amended section 8-11-1.1 et seq. of the Illinois Municipal Code; so as to grant non-home rule municipalities the authority to impose an additional sales tax. With this amendment, the State effectively gave municipalities a…
Supreme Court Mandates Right to Cross-Examine Witnesses At Special Use Hearings
Supreme Court Mandates Right to Cross-Examine Witnesses at Special Use Hearings By Richard M. Joseph richard.joseph@mhtlaw.com The Illinois Supreme Court decision in People Ex Rel Robert J. Klaeren II, et al vs. Village of Lisle et al, 202 Ill. 2d. 164 (2002) impacts the manner in which municipalities are permitted to conduct public hearings on…
New Law Allows Teachers to Utilize Up to Two Years of Accumulated Sick Leave Toward Creditable Service in TRS
Law Allows Teachers to Utilize Up to Two Years of Accumulated Sick Leave Toward Creditable Service in TRS By Jay E. Greening jay.greening@mhtlaw.com The Governor recently signed into law Public Act 92-0867, which increases the amount of unused and uncompensated sick leave TRS members can utilize for service credit at retirement. Read more – Teacher…