AREAS OF PRACTICE


State, Local & Municipal Law

The attorneys at Torshen, Slobig & Axel, Ltd. include experts in the powers and responsibilities of state and local government and municipal corporations, including land use and zoning matters, municipal employment disputes, and injuries to persons or property by municipal employees. Our clients have included municipalities and other units of local government, their elected officials, and municipal employees. We also have extensive experience in representing business owners dealing with local governments on zoning, siting, and other regulatory issues.

  • Roti v. Washington, 450 N.E.2d. 465, 114 Ill.App.3d. 958, 71 Ill.Dec. 30 (1st Dist. 1983), leave to appeal denied, 450 N.E.2d. 465, 114 Ill.App.3d. 958, 71 Ill.Dec. 30 (Ill. 1983). Famously known as the "Council Wars" case, this litigation clarified the law concerning the powers of the City Council and Mayor of the City of Chicago.

  • Hanna v. City of Chicago, Case No. 98 CH 1217 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois). We represented a homeowner challenging the city's downzoning of property.

  • LaBolle v. Metropolitan Sanitary District, 253 Ill.App.3d. 269, 629 N.E.2d. 56, 195 Ill.Dec. 748 (1st Dist. 1992). We represented the Sanitary District, its commissioners, and credit union in defeating claims brought by employees of a Credit Union seeking to participate in the District's pension fund.

  • Chicago City Day School v. City of Chicago, 289 Ill.App.3d. 55, 681 N.E.2d. 126, 224 Ill. Dec. 144 (1st Dist. 1997). We represented a private school in obtaining the right to demolish property nominated for landmark status; the decision led to a complete revision of the Chicago landmark ordinance.

  • Hudson v. Burke, 913 F.2d. 427 (7th Cir. 1990). We successfully represented the alderman/city finance committee chairman in a civil rights action alleging unconstitutional termination of municipal employees.

  • Demauro v. Loren-Maltese et al, Case No. 98 C 8318 (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division). We represented the town's attorney in a case alleging civil rights violation.

  • Niebur v. Town of Cicero, Case No. 98 C 4157 (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division). We represented the town's attorney in a case alleging civil rights violation.

  • Willmore v. Cicero, Case No. 97 L 8622 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois)<. We represented town police officers against allegations they violated a prisoner's civil rights.

  • Leyden Regular Democratic Organization. v. Pedersen, Case No. 98 CH 2912 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois). We represented a political party organization in a municipal election dispute.

  • Dunne v. County of Cook, Case No. 83 L 50752 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois). Members of the firm were appointed Special States Attorneys to represent members of Cook County Board of Commissioners in a case challenging the constitutionality of an ordinance relating to the authority to fire Commission employees and staff.

  • Bernero v. Village of River Grove, Case No. 86 C 5545 (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division). We represented village trustees asserting legislative immunity in an action brought by an employee supporting a rival political faction.

  • Geary v. Dominick's, Case No. 85 CH 7844 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois). We served as class counsel for women challenging the constitutionality of the sales tax rate imposed on tampons.

  • Superdawg Drive-In, Inc. v. City of Chicago, 162 Ill.App.3d. 860, 516 N.E.2d. 272, 114 Ill.Dec. 117 (1st Dist. 1987). We represented a famous hot dog restaurant against the City in resisting the closure of an alley used by customers.

  • Morrison v. Martin, Case No. 89 CH 7463 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois). We compelled the city police department to give formal recognition for an officer killed in line of duty.

  • Aaron v. Chicago Housing Authority, Case No. 99 CH 11738 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois). We represented public housing tenants injured by exposure to pollutants, seeking compensation for medical monitoring.

  • Cellozzi-Ettleson Chevrolet v. City of Chicago, Case No. 87 CH 319 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois). We represented an automobile dealer in a constitutional challenge to city's efforts for extraterritorial enforcement of sales tax collection obligation.

BACK TO HOME >