Contact Us NowChange 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…
Category: Richard Joseph
Pending Legislation could have devastating impact on Municipalities subject to Tax Caps
HB3793 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…
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…
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…