Quorum Forum

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 podcast@ancelglink.com!
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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 podcast@ancelglink.com!
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 podcast@ancelglink.com! 
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 podcast@ancelglink.com!
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.