Local Government Law Bulletin

Phone in a Search Warrant?

August 14, 2014

The Illinois House recently passed a bill, which if approved, will allow police to obtain search warrants from a judge by phone and electronic transmission....

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Join ZRFM at Sept. 18-20 Illinois Municipal League Conference

July 30, 2014

ZRFM is pleased to announce we will conduct several presentations and host a booth at this year’s IML Conference Sept....

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Seventh Circuit Divided on Municipal Booking and Bail Fees

July 30, 2014

We have previously reported on administrative tow fees which police departments are entitled to charge by statute.  Municipal police departments...

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Phone First: Obtain a Search Warrant Prior to Searching a Defendant’s Cell Phone

July 17, 2014

The recent Supreme Court decision Riley v. California involved two defendants, in separate incidents, who had their cell phones seized...

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Municipality Not Required to Follow Police Pension Board’s Funding Recommendation

July 17, 2014

The Village of Riverdale prevailed in a challenge against it for the Village’s admitted failure to follow the Police Pension...

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FOIA Legislation Vetoed by Governor Quinn

July 2, 2014

In a recent issue of our newsletter, we described a proposed amendment to the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) that...

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Pending Lawsuit Raises Issue Whether Public Comments Must Be Allowed in All Public Meetings under OMA

July 2, 2014

Commissioners of the Clark County Park District were recently named as defendants in a lawsuit for allegedly failing to allow...

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FOIA Above All

June 18, 2014

The Public Access Counselor recently released a binding opinion holding that settlement agreements entered into by units of local government...

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Recent Proposed Amendment to Freedom of Information Act May Help Moderately Ease Burden on Local Governments

June 18, 2014

At the end of May 2014, the Illinois legislature passed a bill amending the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA” or...

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Separation of Church and City? Prayer at Public Meetings

May 28, 2014

The United States Supreme Court recently held by a narrow 5-4 majority in Town of Greece v. Galloway that a...

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Hail to the Chiefs

May 14, 2014

Congratulations to three of our local police chiefs who are retiring this summer.  Their hard work, dedication, and service has...

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Internship Programs: Paid or Unpaid?

May 14, 2014

The summer is soon approaching and soon, if not already, college and high school students will hit the pavement and...

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