Quorum Forum

Back by listener request, we're taking a brief recess to revisit one of our classic episodes on Statements of Economic Interests for local government officials and candidates. Ancel Glink's Daniel J. Bolin and Keri-Lyn J. Krafthefer break down the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act reporting questions, clear up common misconceptions about disclosable assets and debts, and offer practical guidance for local officials and employees.

Candidates running in the 2027 consolidated elections must file an SOEI and submit their receipt alongside nomination papers during the candidate petition filing period. While incumbent officials may have filed an annual statement earlier this year in relation to their current office, many choose or are advised to file an additional statement explicitly in relation to their candidacy.

Inflation-Adjusted Thresholds: On this year's form, disclosable dollar thresholds have been updated for Question 1 (Single Assets: $11,600), Question 2 (Outside Income/Capital Gains; $8,700), Question 3 (Single Non-Public Debts: $11,600), and Question 6 (Gifts/Honoraria : $600).

Episode Breakdown:

Who Must File: Understanding filing obligations for elected/appointed local officials versus designated public employees and candidates.

Question 1 (Assets): Distinguishing disclosable single assets (stocks, bonds, investment real estate) from explicitly excluded personal items like primary residences, personal vehicles, savings/checking accounts, retirement funds, and pensions.

Question 2 (Income; Capital Gains): How to simplify your disclosure by relying directly on your federal income tax return (W-2s, 1099s, capital gains) while excluding compensation from your filing position.

Question 3 (Debts): How standard consumer debts (mortgages, credit cards, auto loans from financial institutions) are excluded from reporting.

Question 4 (Government Employment; Contracts): Disclosing other units of government where you or your spouse serve as an employee, officeholder, or contractor.

Question 5 (Lobbyist Relationships): Identifying disclosable business relationships or family members known to be registered lobbyists.

Question 6 (Gifts; Honoraria): Reporting disclosable sources of gifts or honoraria.

Question 7 (Public Utilities): Disclosing family members employed by non-governmental public utilities.

Practical Tips: Safe harbor protections for good-faith filings, relying on Illinois Secretary of State guidance, and handling county clerk online portals

Resources:

Secretary of State Guidance

Presentation Slides & Materials (2023)

Questions or Feedback: Email us at [email protected]!

Credits:

Chair: Daniel J. Bolin

Guest: Keri-Lyn J. Krafthefer

Producer: Daniel J. Bolin

Executive Producer: Keri-Lyn J. Krafthefer

Engineers: Ricardo Perez, Matt Smith

Disclaimer:

This podcast is provided as a service to our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide timely general information of interest, but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer at http://www.ancelglink.com/disclaimers

This year marks 100 years since the United States Supreme Court decided the landmark zoning case, Euclid v. Ambler Realty. In this episode, we share a recorded presentation from Ancel Glink's David Silverman, FAICP, and ZoneCo's Sean Suder, as a sneak preview of their upcoming live plenary session at the APA-IL State Conference on September 30, 2026! How does zoning and the legacy of Euclid continue to shape your community? Email us at [email protected]!

Episode Highlights

• The Public Safety Roots of Zoning: Why early 20th-century industrial chaos, street accidents involving children, noise, and pollution prompted the Supreme Court to step in

• The Dual Legacy: How the "intensity of use" rules established in 1926 successfully protected neighborhoods but fostered exclusionary development patterns

• Modern Prescriptions: A look at statewide zoning challenges, local preemption, and the "BUILD" legislative strategies impacting local authority

Department of Public Works

Catch the Ancel Glink team presenting live at the APA-IL State Conference!

Plenary: The Legacy of Euclid 100 Years On

When: Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Featuring: David Silverman and Sean Suder

WAPA Action News: Planning Law Special Report

When: Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Featuring: Dan Bolin, David Silverman, Erin Monforti, and Trevor Dick

Topics: Housing, State Preemption, and Data Centers

"Watt" a Ride: Steering the Micromobility Shift

When: Friday, October 2, 2026 | 8:00 am - 9:00 am

Featuring: Eugene Bolotnikov and Tyler Smith

Topics: E-bikes and E-Scooters

GovLove x APA-IL: Award-Winning Planners

When: Friday, October 2, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Featuring: Andy Cross and Dan Bolin

Credits

Producer: Daniel J. Bolin

Executive Producers: Keri-Lyn Krafthefer

Engineers: Ricardo Perez, Matt Smith

Disclaimer

This podcast is provided as a service to our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide timely general information of interest, but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer: https://ancelglink.com/disclaimer/

Summer of 2026 is upon us, and election season is kicking off as spirited candidates, trusted election authorities, and municipalities across Illinois seek to address a host of complex issues. Local election officials and electoral boards have many responsibilities to make elections happen, from processing nomination papers to convening quasi-adjudicative hearings. Meanwhile, local governments must navigate the enforcement of political sign regulations, electioneering laws, and the strict rules governing the use of public funds in referenda.

To help listeners tackle these issues, Ancel Glink's Erin Monforti and Katie Nagy revisit classic insights from equity partner Keri-Lyn Krafthefer and provide vital updates for the 2027 Consolidated Election cycle. What issues does your local government face during election season? Email us at [email protected].

In This Episode

• Independent vs. Nonpartisan Candidates: Understand the critical legal distinctions between these two types of candidates and how they appear on the ballot.
• The 2027 Election Timeline: Key dates for the February 23, 2027, Consolidated Primary and the April 6, 2027, Consolidated Election, including petition circulation and filing windows.
• Objection Procedures & "Business Days": How to calculate the five-business-day objection deadline, especially with the Thanksgiving 2026 holiday.
• Electoral Board Mechanics: A deep dive into the "24-hour call" rule, the composition of the board, and the requirement to deliberate in open session.
• Strategic Scheduling: Practical advice for clerks on the "strategic receipt" of objection petitions to ensure boards can meet within statutory deadlines.
• Setting Compensation: Why local governments must set compensation for newly elected officials at least 180 days before their terms begin.
• New Laws: Updates on Public Act 104-443 (redacting candidate addresses) and Public Act 104-438 (prohibiting meetings on election days).
• Public Funds & Referenda: Guidelines on what constitutes "factual information" versus prohibited advocacy when units of local government are involved in public questions.
• FOIA & Arrest Records: A review of PAC Opinion 26-006 regarding the public's right to access arrest records involving public figures.

Resources

• PAC Finds Police Department Violated FOIA in Withholding Investigative Records
• It's Time to Establish Elected Officials' Compensation for Terms Starting in 2025
• Special Considerations About Establishing Compensation of Elected Officials
• 2027 Illinois State Board of Elections "Running for Office" Directory

Credits

• Producer: Daniel J. Bolin, Kathleen Hynan
• Executive Producer: Keri-Lyn Krafthefer
• Chair: Erin Monforti
• Guest: Katherine Nagy
• Engineers: Ricardo Perez, Matt Smith

Disclaimer: This podcast is provided as a service to our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide timely general information of interest but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer: www.ancelglink.com/disclaimers.

The American Planning Association Chicago Metro Section recently teamed up with Ancel Glink's Quorum Forum podcast for the 11th Annual "Bar Exam" Planning Law Session. Recorded live at Goodwin's in Chicago, this realistic, simulated law school experience tests planners and land use professionals on the latest legal precedents in wind energy, annexation, and First Amendment protections. As is tradition, all participants passed the bar, and teams competed for the prestigious (and five-foot-tall) Ancel Glink Cup. In this episode, Ancel Glink's Dan Bolin, Megan Mack, and Tyler Smith are joined by special guest Phil Green, a Local Gov 250 Government Champion, who undergoes a high-tech "firmware update" to become the session's first AI-powered planning law assistant.

In This Episode

• [00:00] The Roll Call: Host Dan Bolin calls the meeting to order with professors Megan Mack and Tyler Smith, plus local government champion Phil Green.
• [05:00] Round 1: Democracy at the Doorstep: Phil discusses his recognition as a Local Gov 250 Champion and his work on "democracy at the doorstep" in Hoffman Estates.
• [11:45] Case 1.1 - Wind Farm Bans: A look at Hickory Wind LLC v. Village of Cedar Point, exploring why outright bans on lawful land uses exceed non-home rule authority.
• [19:30] Case 1.2 - Zoning Finality: In Chosen Consulting LLC v. Town Council of Highland, we learn why ADA and discrimination claims do not bypass the requirement for a final zoning decision.
• [23:00] Case 1.3 - Cross-Examination Rights: A resort project in Galena highlights the importance of maintaining a record when residents forfeit their right to cross-examine witnesses.
• [26:45] Round 2: The Road to Houston: Phil shares takeaways from serving as the Education Chair for NPC26 in Detroit and teases a "Moon Joy" theme for NPC27 in Houston.
• [32:15] Case 2.1 - Forceful Annexation: We review a 4.7% perimeter gap in Husky Transportation v. Village of Barrington Hills to define the "wholly bounded" standard.
• [36:15] Case 2.2 - First Amendment Retaliation: The saga of the Minocqua Brewing Co. demonstrates that permit denials are not retaliatory if they would have occurred regardless of protected speech.
• [39:45] Case 2.3 - The Hamburger UFOs: A whimsical mural case from Kansas tests "intermediate scrutiny" and whether cities can prove that burger art is more distracting than flower art.
• [42:30] The Future of Planning Law: Megan and Tyler discuss the responsible use of AI in legal practice and how municipalities are responding to data center controversies involving power and water consumption.
• [47:00] The Reveal of A.I. CPU: Phil Green manifests as the A.I. CPU, an assistant that is 100% confident, 60% accurate, and requires massive amounts of "liquid cooling" to function.
• [48:45] Round 3: AI-Assisted Answers: The A.I. CPU helps navigate cases on warrantless rental inspections, daily fine calculations, and why missing scaffolding is not a legal defense for safety hazards.
• [1:03:15] Crowning the Champions: We announce the winners of the 2026 Bar Exam and award the shiny gold Ancel Glink Cup to the "Transit Masters."

Upcoming Events:

• Aug. 13, 2026: Erin Monforti presents "Library Law 101" at the Illinois Library Association Directors University.
• Sep. 30-Oct. 2, 2026: Catch the Ancel Glink team at the American Planning Association (APA) Illinois Chapter State Conference.

Resources:

2026 APA-CMS Bar Exam PowerPoint

2026 APA-CMS Bar Exam Handout

Appellate Court Rules in Favor of Wind Farm Developer

Seventh Circuit Dismisses ADA Challenge to Local Zoning Regulations

In the Zone: Court Finds No Procedural Due Process Violation in Zoning Challenge

Involuntary Annexation Upheld by Appellate Court

In the Zone: Court Upholds Revocation of Conditional Use Permit for Beer Garden

Cozy Inn, Inc. v. City of Salina, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 228758 (Kansas District Court)

Appellate Court Reverses Dismissal of Challenge to Renal Inspection Ordinance

Appellate Court Upholds Demolition Order But Limits Municipal Fines

Appellate Court Upholds $14,500 Fine for Building Code Violations

Credits

• Chair: Daniel J. Bolin
• Featured Professors: Megan Mack and Tyler Smith
• Special Guest: Phil Green (and the A.I. CPU)
• Producer: Daniel J. Bolin
• Executive Producer: Keri-Lyn Krafthefer
• Engineers: Ricardo Perez and Matt Smith

Disclaimer: This podcast is provided as a service to our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide timely general information of interest but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer: www.ancelglink.com/disclaimers

The Illinois General Assembly recently concluded its spring legislative session and Ancel Glink's Greg Jones and Tyler Smith join us to talk about recent legislation local governments should know, including updates on housing grants, e-bike and e-scooter regulations, hemp regulations, and more! What new laws are your following? Email us at [email protected]!

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In This Episode

• [00:00] Baseball Fever: Greg and Tyler discuss their favorite all-time and underrated players, including Lou Whitaker, Barry Bonds, and Anthony Rizzo.
• [03:45] The "Build Plan" vs. The "REAL Act": We review Governor Pritzker's Build Plan omnibus package, which sought to preempt local zoning for housing but ultimately failed to advance. We also discuss the IML's alternative REAL Act.
• [09:00] Housing Grants: Even though the Build Plan didn't pass, the FY27 budget allocated hundreds of millions for housing, including funds for the Missing Middle program, SmartBuy, and Opening Doors.
• [10:45] E-Bikes & E-Scooters: New statewide standards for electric micromobility devices effectively preempt home rule authority for regulating these devices, starting January 1, 2027 .(SB3484)
• [14:45] The Illinois Hemp Act & Cannabis: Illinois repeals the Industrial Hemp Act to align with federal standards, effective November 12, 2026. This bill also doubles the legal possession limit for cannabis to 60 grams and extends dispensary hours to 2 a.m., subject to local zoning. (SB3222)
• [17:45] Operational Updates: Briefing on HB4541 regarding overpayments under the Unclaimed Property Act and HB1353 protecting volunteer emergency workers during training.
• [19:30] Financial Posting & Trusts: Coverage of HB2137 regarding website financial posting requirements, SB638 on OPEB trust funds, and SB2102 on electronic filing receipts.
• [22:45] Special Districts: New rules for dissolving drainage and sanitation districts in certain counties (HB5166) and disconnecting park district territory (HB5542).
• [26:15] Local Finance & IMRF: Discussing SB2769 (Business District fund transfers), SB2826 (IMRF separation benefits), and SB2836 (increased audit thresholds for FY27).
• [29:30] Fire Protection & School Transfers: Updates on HB4292 (ambulance fund transfers), HB4909 (Taft-Hartley/IMRF contributions), and HB4375 (extending school fund transfer periods).
• [33:00] School Code Changes: An update covering psychologist qualifications (HB4397, effective July 1, 2027), CPR/AED training (HB4788), staff mental health procedures (HB4862, starting 2028), and service animal handling (SB2761).
• [37:30] Rights & Protections: Details on SB2914 (expanded teacher dismissal warnings) and SB3361 (The Jett Hawkins Law regarding religious hairstyles), both effective immediately upon signing.
• [39:45] Open Meetings Act: Can you list "Personnel Issues" on a meeting agenda? We review a new binding opinion regarding employee termination and the Open Meetings Act.
• [44:15] Upcoming Events: A summary of where to catch Ancel Glink attorneys this summer and fall.

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Upcoming Events

• June 9, 2026: Greg Jones presents "TIF for Public Officials" at the Illinois Tax Increment Association webinar.
• June 10, 2026: Eugene Bolotnikov presents "FOIA and OMA 101" for the Marshall County Association.
• June 17, 2026: Katie Nagy and Jamie Wilkey host a webinar on ADA Title II and Web Content Accessibility.
• August 13, 2026: Erin Monforti presents "Library Law 101" at the Illinois Library Association Directors University.
• Fall 2026: Catch the Ancel Glink team at the American Planning Association (APA) Illinois Chapter State Conference.

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Resources

Illinois General Assembly Passes Illinois Hemp Act

Updates on Senate Bill 3336 (E-Bikes, etc)

Village Board Violated OMA by Not Including "General Subject Matter" of Action Item on Agenda

Illinois General Assembly Spring 2026 End of Session Tracking

HB111 allocates funds from the Build Illinois Bond Fund and the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund for various housing grants, including grants related to the missing middle housing affordable housing programs, SmartBuy down payment assistance programs, and Opening Doors down payment assistance programs.

SB3484 provides state-wide standards for recreation devices, such as E-Bikes and E-Scooters, amends definitions under the Illinois Vehicle Code, and provides new use regulations for electric micromobility devices, including where it could be operated, a person must be at least 16 years of age, and prohibits any municipality from regulating electronic micromobility devices.

SB3222 provides changes to how hemp products are regulated in Illinois by repealing the existing Industrial Hemp Act and creating the Illinois Hemp Act which new regulatory definitions and requirements for various hemp-derived products based on THC and cannabinoid content and provides that local government and other State agencies may enact additional legislation to enforce the Act.

HB4541 adds overpayment to government entities to the definition of property under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act and provides that governmental entities must transfer overpayment to the state, where the State Treasurer then holds the funds while actively trying to return them to the payor.

HB1353 provides volunteer emergency workers employment protections while participating in required training, including prohibiting employers from penalizing these workers or requiring them to take vacation time to participate in emergency trainings.

HB2137 requires governmental bodies to post and make available for public inspection certain financial information on government websites if a public body maintains a public facing website.

SB638 provides that if the money in the general fund of a municipality exceeds the municipality's operating expenses for the immediately preceding calendar year, then the municipality may establish an OPEB trust or deposit moneys into an existing OPEB trust.

SB2102 provides that if a taxing district files its budget and appropriations ordinance and estimate of revenues electronically, the county clerk's office receiving the filing must accept and acknowledge the electronic filing by providing a receipt to the taxing district.

HB5166 amends how certain special districts of government, such as drainage and sanitation districts, in Illinois may be dissolved.

HB5542 provides the governing board of trustees of a park district may adopt a determination to waive the full payment of any unpaid park district assessments outstanding at the time a petition to disconnect territory is submitted.

SB2769 provides a municipality may transfer money among Business District Tax Allocation Funds of business districts if the business districts are under the control of the municipality and the transferred money is used for the purposes of paying business district project costs as defined in the Act.

SB2826 amends eligibility for benefits under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) by providing that any participating employee who has separated from the service of the participating municipality may elect to take a separation benefit in lieu of the retirement annuity.

SB2836 provides that beginning with fiscal year 2027, any governmental unit receiving revenue of less than $1,400,000 for any fiscal year (rather than less than $850,000 for any fiscal year) shall sign, copy, and file completed reports under the Governmental Account Audit Act.

HB4292 provides that the board of trustees of a fire protection district may adopt a resolution to transfer moneys from the fire protection district's ambulance service fund to another fund controlled by the fire protection district provided certain requirements are met.

HB4909 provides that an Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) contributor is eligible to contribute to a Taft-Hartley pension plan and requires municipal employers to contribute to these pension plans.

HB4375 amends the Illinois School Code by extending the period in which school districts may transfer money allocated to specified funds.

HB4397 amends the Illinois School Code to provide additional qualifications for school psychologists.

HB4788 requires all Illinois secondary schools to include training for students on how to properly preform CPR and use AED in accordance with standards of the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or another nationally recognized certifying organization.

HB4862 requires Illinois school district boards to develop and implement new staff mental health procedures.

SB2761 amends the Illinois School Code to require that in-service training for school staff regarding students' health conditions must include training on the proper handling of service animals in school settings.

SB2914 provides, in dismissal of contract proceedings for teachers under the Illinois School Code, expanded requirements for mandated written warning that must be issued to a teacher before a hearing on charges may be scheduled.

SB3361 creates the Religious Hair and Facial Hair Protections Act, also known as the Jett Hawkins Law, requiring that nonpublic elementary and secondary schools cannot prohibit religious hairstyles, hair-related religious practices, or religious-related facial hair.

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Credits

• Producer: Daniel J. Bolin
• Executive Producer: Keri-Lyn Krafthefer
• Chair: Tyler J. Smith
• Engineers: Ricardo Perez, Matt Smith

This podcast is intended to provide timely general information but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer at www.ancelglink.com/disclaimers.

In this episode, we return to the Southland Development Authority's "TIF Talk" training series for a deep dive into the financial and practical implementation of economic development deals. Hosted by the Village of Hazel Crest, this session features Ancel Glink's David Silverman, Michio Murakishi (Meech Group), and Terri Cox (Matanky Realty Group).

Building on the structural overview provided in Quorum Forum 97: Anatomy of a Redevelopment Agreement, the panel explores how municipalities can use RDAs to bridge financial gaps and ensure projects are feasible for developers while protecting the public interest.

Highlights:

• The Math of Incentives: Understanding Internal Rate of Return (IRR), yield on cost, and how consultants use gap analysis to size incentives.
• The "But For" Test: A look at the legal and financial necessity of incentives, and the idea that a project would not happen "but for" the public assistance.
• Net Public Benefit: How to measure the "dividend" of a public investment through tax base growth, job creation, and revitalized storefronts.
• Case Studies from the Trenches: Terri Cox shares lessons from the Bishop Classic project in Chicago and a $5 million car wash development on Dixie Highway in Harvey.
• Performance-Based Protections: The importance of clawback provisions, reimbursement schedules, and why the public sector should generally avoid being a landlord.

Department of Public Works:

• Illinois Township Attorneys Association Seminar: Join Katie Nagy and other Ancel Glink attorneys on May 15, 2026, for sessions on First Amendment audits and board meeting best practices.

Resources:

Quorum Forum 97: Anatomy of a Redevelopment Agreement (Part 1)

Terri Cox Profile: Matanky Realty Group

Michio Murakishi Profile: Meech Group

Credits:

§ Chair: Daniel J. Bolin

§ Featured Guests: David Silverman (Ancel Glink), Michio Murakishi (Meech Group), and Terri Cox (Matanky Realty Group)

§ Producer: Daniel J. Bolin

§ Executive Producer: Keri-Lyn Krafthefer

§ Engineers: Ricardo Perez and Matt Smith

Disclaimer: This podcast is provided as a service to our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide timely general information of interest, but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice.

In this episode, Ancel Glink's Tyler Smith, Eugene Bolotnikov, and Katie Nagy take the stage at the 2026 IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference. The team discusses the legal complexities of managing potentially controversial activities in public spaces, ranging from the rapid rise of e-bikes and e-scooters to the evolving landscape of public camping regulations and the "noise" issues surrounding pickleball courts. This episode features live audio from their conference session, providing practical strategies for park districts and municipalities to regulate these activities while balancing individual rights and public safety.

What controversial activities are impacting your parks? Email us at [email protected]!

Highlights:

• Regulating E-Bikes and E-Scooters: A breakdown of the Illinois Vehicle Code, including the three classes of e-bikes and the default rules for e-scooter authorization.
• Regulatory Models: Examining the "least," "moderate," and "most" restrictive approaches local governments can take to manage micro-mobility devices.
• Liability Considerations: Understanding the "intended and permitted user" standard under the Illinois Tort Immunity Act and how signage impacts a park district's legal duty.
• Public Camping and Grants Pass: A deep dive into the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson and its implications for the 8th Amendment.
• Illinois Protections for the Unhoused: Navigating state-specific laws, including the Illinois Bill of Rights of the Homeless Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act.
• Pickleball Pushback: Addressing the "noise sensitive land use" zoning trend and strategies to mitigate resident pushback on new outdoor pickleball courts.
• Public Comment (FOIA Update): A review of PAC Binding Opinion 25-16 regarding the disclosure of public employee termination letters.

Department of Public Works:

Ancel Glink attorneys will be presenting at several upcoming events:

• APA Illinois State Section Conference: Join Ancel Glink on April 17 to discuss the BUILD plan and state preemption over local zoning.
• Municipal Clerks of Illinois Spring Seminar: Eugene Bolotnikov will provide tips on FOIA and managing repeat requesters on April 23, 2026, in Elgin, IL.
• 2026 National Planning Conference: See David Silverman in Detroit on Sunday, April 26, 2026, for a session on the 100-year legacy of Euclid v. Ambler Realty.
• Illinois Township Attorneys Association Seminar: Join Katie Nagy and other Ancel Glink attorneys on May 15, 2026, for sessions on First Amendment audits and board meeting best practices.

Resources:

• Quorum Forum 98: E-Bikes and E-Scooters at the APA-IL State Conference
• Municipal Minute: Supreme Court Upholds Ordinance Prohibiting Camping
• PAC Binding Opinion 25-16: Termination Letters and FOIA

Credits:

• Chair: Tyler J. Smith
• Featured Guests: Eugene Bolotnikov and Katherine Nagy
• Producer: Daniel J. Bolin
• Executive Producer: Keri-Lyn Krafthefer
• Engineers: Ricardo Perez and Matt Smith

Disclaimer: This podcast is provided as a service to our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide timely general information of interest, but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer: www.ancelglink.com/disclaimers.

In this special meeting of Ancel Glink's Quorum Forum podcast, attorneys Erin Monforti, David Silverman, and Greg Jones break down Governor Pritzker's proposed BUILD Plan (Building up Illinois Development). This initiative intends to reduce costs and eliminate barriers to housing development, but it includes proposals that could significantly limit local authority over zoning, building codes, and fees. The team discusses what these potential statewide mandates could mean for the future of Illinois communities. Thoughts? Questions? Email us at [email protected]!

Highlights:

• The BUILD Plan: An overview of the Governor's February 2026 proposal to cut "bureaucratic red tape" through new legislative and regulatory standards.
• "Middle Housing" Mandates: A look at bills that would require local governments to allow duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes in any area currently zoned for single-family homes.
• Limits on Local Review: Discussion on provisions that would prevent municipalities from requiring special use permits or variances for middle housing if those same rules don't apply to single-family homes.
• Statewide Zoning Standards: The potential shift toward inflexible statewide rules for residential building heights, setbacks, and how much of a lot can be covered by a building.
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): How proposed laws would normalize "granny flats" across the state, potentially making it easier for homeowners to get financing while increasing local density.
• Standardizing Impact Fees: Assessing the move toward mandatory state formulas for school and park impact fees to make costs more predictable for developers.
• Strict Permit Deadlines: New requirements for municipalities to complete plan reviews within 15 to 30 days, or else developers may hire their own third-party inspectors to do the work.
• Public Comment: A critical update for FOIA officers regarding emails caught in spam filters. A recent court ruled that a request is considered "received" even if it is automatically quarantined by your IT system.

Upcoming Presentations:

• APA-IL Virtual Plan Commissioner Training: Register for a virtual training hosted by the APA-IL on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
• APA-ISS Spring Conference: Join us Ancel Glink at the APA-ISS Spring Conference April 16-17 to discuss the BUILD plan and local zoning preemption.
• The Legacy of Euclid 100 Years On: See David Silverman at the 2026 National Planning Conference in Detroit on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 9:30 AM.
• The Annual APA-CMS Bar Exam: Join Greg Jones and colleagues for the American Planning Association – Chicago Metro Section's annual planning and zoning case law update on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Chicago.

Resources:

• Governor Pritzker's State of the State Address (BUILD Plan Announcement)
• House Bill 5626: Omnibus Housing Reform (40-page comprehensive bill)
• Senate Bill 4060: Middle Housing Requirements
• Senate Bill 4061: Single Stairway Building Code
• Senate Bill 4062: Mandatory Impact Fee Formulas
• Senate Bill 4063: Building Permit Review Deadlines & Third-Party Inspectors
• Senate Bill 4064: Residential Parking Standards
• Senate Bill 4071: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
• Municipal Minute: General Assembly Sends "People Over Parking Act" to the Governor
• Municipal Minute: FOIA Deadlines and Quarantined Emails

Credits:

• Chair: Erin M. Monforti
• Featured Guests: David S. Silverman and Gregory W. Jones
• Producer: Daniel J. Bolin
• Executive Producer: Keri-Lyn Krafthefer
• Engineers: Ricardo Perez and Matt Smith

This podcast is provided as a service to our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide timely general information of interest, but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer: www.ancelglink.com/disclaimers.

Resources:

Credits:

• Chair: Erin M. Monforti
• Featured Guests: David S. Silverman and Gregory W. Jones
• Producer: Daniel J. Bolin
• Executive Producer: Keri-Lyn Krafthefer
• Engineers: Ricardo Perez and Matt Smith

This podcast is provided as a service to our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide timely general information of interest, but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer: www.ancelglink.com/disclaimers.

In this episode, Jamie Wilkey, a Partner at Lauterbach & Amen, joins Ancel Glink's Katie Nagy to discuss the Department of Justice's final rule on web accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They explore the new requirements for state and local governments to ensure their web content and mobile applications are accessible to individuals with disabilities, and offer practical advice on implementation, technical standards, and compliance deadlines starting on April 24, 2026 for some larger governments. Questions? Email us at [email protected]!

Highlights:

• The Technical Standard: An overview of WCAG 2.1 Level AA, the benchmark for digital accessibility compliance.
• Defining Web Content: Understanding how the rule applies to websites, mobile apps, social media, online payment portals, and digital documents like meeting minutes and agendas.
• Compliance Deadlines: Key dates for local governments (April 24, 2026 for populations over 50,000; April 26, 2027 for smaller entities and special districts).
• Practical Implementation: Steps for success, including identifying an internal team, conducting an inventory of digital assets, and prioritizing remediation.
• Exceptions and Limitations: A breakdown of what content is exempt, such as archived web content, pre-existing conventional documents, and certain third-party content.
• Risk Management: Analyzing the legal, financial, and reputational risks of non-compliance.
• Public Comment: A discussion on the Seventh Circuit's decision in O'Donnell v. City of Chicago regarding vehicle forfeiture programs and unconstitutional takings.

Upcoming Presentation:

• Illinois Township Attorneys Association Annual Seminar: See Ancel Glink attorneys present on May 15, 2026, at the Hanover Township Senior Center.

Resources:

• Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments
• DOJ Guidance: First Steps Toward Complying with the ADA Title II Web and Mobile Application Accessibility Rule
• Municipal Minute: City's Vehicle Forfeiture Program Not an Unconstitutional Taking

Credits:

• Featured Guest: Jamie L. Wilkey, Lauterbach & Amen
• Chair: Katherine Nagy
• Producer: Daniel J. Bolin
• Executive Producer: Keri-Lyn J. Krafthefer
• Engineers: Rick Perez and Matt Smith

Disclaimer: This podcast is provided as a service to our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide timely general information of interest, but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer: www.ancelglink.com/disclaimers.

In this episode, we share Ancel Glink attorney Melissa Hall's recent ILCMA presentation, "Digital Decisions: Navigating AI's Impact on the Modern Workplace." Mysi examines the current legal landscape surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in labor relations and employment practices.

Highlights:

• The Legal Landscape: Overview of federal and state regulations, including EEOC guidelines on Title VII and the ADA.
• Illinois Specifics: A look at the AI Video Interview Act (AIVIA) and the 2026 amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act.
• Bias and Mitigation: Understanding automation bias, selective adherence, and real-world examples of algorithmic discrimination.
• Labor Relations: How major unions (ILA, SAG-AFTRA, AFL-CIO) are negotiating AI safeguards and transparency.
• Best Practices: Practical steps for employers, including the NIST Risk Management Framework and the importance of human oversight.

Upcoming Presentation:

• The Legacy of Euclid 100 Years On: See Ancel Glink's David S. Silverman at the 2026 National Planning Conference in Detroit on April 26, 2026, at 10:30 AM.

Resources:

• Presentation Slides: Digital Decisions: Navigating AI's Impact on the Modern Workplace
• Municipal Minute: The New Year Countdown – Public Safety
• Coalition Resource: San Jose Government AI Coalition

Credits:

• Featured Guest: Melissa A. Hall
• Producer/Chair: Daniel J. Bolin
• Executive Producer: Keri-Lyn J. Krafthefer
• Engineer: Rick Perez

This podcast is provided as a service to our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide timely general information of interest, but should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer: www.ancelglink.com/disclaimers.