Practice Area

Government & Municipal Law

Neal & Leroy’s government and municipal attorneys advise counties, cities, school boards, and special-purpose agencies across Illinois, including more than 25 years as outside general counsel to the Public Building Commission of Chicago. We provide legal services in procurement, land use, zoning, board governance and all regulatory and operational issues which are unique to Municipal Law.

How We Approach Government & Municipal Law

Neal & Leroy has represented municipalities, public agencies, and educational institutions for decades, including more than 25 years as outside general counsel for the Public Building Commission of Chicago.

Our longstanding relationships with public-sector clients reflect a deep understanding of how public bodies operate and a commitment to providing consistent, trusted counsel as their needs evolve.

Public-sector matters require a distinct understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing governmental entities. Home rule authority, procurement, public contracting, and zoning matters present considerations that differ significantly from those in the private sector.

For more than 30 years, our attorneys have advised public clients on contracts and procurement, drawing on extensive experience to anticipate challenges and address issues proactively.

We advise public officials on municipal authority, home rule obligations, and land acquisition, as well as charters, intergovernmental agreements, and zoning and land development. We also handle the procurement and contract issues that come with running a public body, including bid disputes, contract negotiations, government contract disputes, and construction claims. And we’ve represented public officials facing challenges to public purpose and public use authority, more than once.

We also counsel municipalities on issues specific to public employment: ethics training, lobbyist-registration training, and the ordinances that govern how public employees are hired, disciplined, and separated. We regularly represent municipalities in tax increment financing, redevelopment agreements, planned development ordinances, zoning compliance, and professional services and vendor consultant agreements.

Our government clients include counties, cities, transit authorities, and school boards, along with special-purpose agencies like the Public Building Commission, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Our clients understand the complexities of law. They need counsel who understands how to plan and conduct public meetings, advise on and regulatory budget approval processes. Since 1938, we have advised public-sector clients through changing markets and evolving challenges. We work alongside public officials, providing candid guidance when issues arise, and we stay engaged with agreements and projects long after they are signed and approved.

OUR GOVERNMENT & MUNICIPAL PRACTICE

Contracts and Procurement Law
Intergovernmental Agreements
Municipal Authority and Legislation
Public Employment Ordinances, Training, and Compliance
Tax Increment Financing, Redevelopment, and Business Retention Agreements
Zoning and Land Development

Richard Friedman | Neal & Leroy Attorney

08/21/2026

Advised various municipal entities, boards, and commissions on governance, ethics, MBE/WBE compliance, and other organizational matters.

08/22/2026

Counsel for an outdoor advertising joint venture which was selected by the City of Chicago (“City”) to install digital billboards adjacent to the expressway on certain City owned property throughout the City limits. Specific legal work included advising the client (and the City) on the constitutionality of the program, the legal and political issues involved in site/sign locations, and drafting the sign ordinance including amendments to the City’s zoning ordinance and municipal code necessary to authorize the project with the City.

Counsel for an outdoor advertising joint venture which was selected by the City of Chicago (“City”) to install digital billboards adjacent to the expressway on certain City owned property throughout the City limits. Specific legal work included advising the client (and the City) on the constitutionality of the program, the legal and political issues involved in site/sign locations, and drafting the sign ordinance including amendments to the City’s zoning ordinance and municipal code necessary to authorize the project with the City.

08/22/2026

Counsel for developers of electric production and storage facility.

08/20/2026

LAND ACQUISITION & ZONING

Handled land acquisition for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority for exposition halls and parking facilities; drafted amendments to the Authority's acquisition legislation; and negotiated air rights and easements to connect downtown Chicago to McCormick Place, including a dedicated busway over portions of railroad property.

08/20/2026

Neal & Leroy has served as general counsel to the Public Building Commission of Chicago for more than 35 years

Neal & Leroy has served as general counsel to the Public Building Commission of Chicago for more than 35 years, advising on board governance, finance and budget matters, Open Meetings Act and FOIA compliance, bid evaluation, and internal investigations. The firm has also negotiated intergovernmental agreements and contract terms and handled matters spanning labor and employment, construction, mechanics' liens, eminent domain, defense of personal injury claims, and real estate acquisition on the Commission's behalf.

08/20/2026

Represented clients in contested state and local sales tax audits nationwide, negotiated dispute resolutions in major government contracts, and advised public agencies on procurement, solicitation documents, bid analysis, and resolution of contract disputes.

Represented clients in contested state and local sales tax audits nationwide, negotiated dispute resolutions in major government contracts, and advised public agencies on procurement, solicitation documents, bid analysis, and resolution of contract disputes.

08/21/2026

Represented numerous Real Estate companies on developing plans and municipal finance including Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

08/20/2026

Represented the Chicago Municipal Authorities, including the Chicago Board of Education, Chicago Public Library, and Chicago Park District, in acquiring and rezoning land for new schools, campus parks, fire stations, libraries, and park additions.

Represented the Chicago Municipal Authorities, including the Chicago Board of Education, Chicago Public Library, and Chicago Park District, in acquiring and rezoning land for new schools, campus parks, fire stations, libraries, and park additions.

08/21/2026

Represented various public and private clients on public right of way entitlements including vacation, dedication, privileges, easement agreements, draft ordinances for legislative approval, and appearances before various local government entities to obtain approval.

Represented various public and private clients on public right of way entitlements including vacation, dedication, privileges, easement agreements, draft ordinances for legislative approval, and appearances before various local government entities to obtain approval.

08/21/2026

Represents municipal corporation and drafts resolutions, policies and procedures, legal opinions, and intergovernmental agreements; advises on board governance issues including Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act issues; drafts employee severance agreements and releases and conducts ethics and sexual harassment employee training.

Represents municipal corporation and drafts resolutions, policies and procedures, legal opinions, and intergovernmental agreements; advises on board governance issues including Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act issues; drafts employee severance agreements and releases and conducts ethics and sexual harassment employee training.

08/20/2026

REDEVELOPMENT

Served as counsel to the Village of Riverdale, IL in the acquisition of land parcels through negotiated sale and condemnation and secured site plan approval for the Whistler Crossing Project, a major residential redevelopment in the Pacesetter Townhome area.