Source: https://secure.heylroyster.com/areasofpractice/print.cfm?pageID=3&specialtyID=16&print
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 00:06:10+00:00

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Heyl Royster has a long history of representing governmental bodies both as regular and special counsel. We recognize that this representation requires expertise in constitutional, statutory and regulatory law, but also common sense and an appreciation for the public position held by our client officials. We are proud of the long association we have had with many of our governmental clients.
Our work in this area has run the gamut from drafting ordinances and general operational issues to litigation over annexations and conflicts with employee unions. We have substantial experience with intergovernmental agreements, governmental liability and immunities, the Freedom of Information Act, the Open Meetings Act, prevailing wage requirements, problem officials, and budgets and levies. We have frequently dealt with public employment issues. Our clients include the state government, state universities, counties, cities, villages, townships, road districts, fire districts, and park districts. We have likewise represented private entities dealing with public bodies.
Our practice group conducts quarterly seminars for governmental officials and publishes a quarterly newsletter on governmental issues. We regularly publish articles to assist fellow lawyer and governmental clients.
Three of our attorneys have served as president of the Illinois Township Attorneys' Association. Practice group members have won numerous awards for their work in this field.
Lorenz v. McDonough County Sheriff’s Department Obtained a defense verdict in Macomb, McDonough County, Illinois. Plaintiffs brought suit against a Sheriff's Deputy and the Sheriff's Department alleging willful and wanton conduct and negligence in the wake of an accident occurring during a high speed pursuit. Plaintiffs (a mother, daughter and family friend) were traveling to Macomb, Illinois to visit a family friend. The Sheriff's deputy was in the process of pursuing a vehicle that had sped off after a traffic stop. Speeds of both cars were over 100 mph as they entered the city limits of Macomb. Plaintiffs' vehicle, unaware of the pursuit despite the fact that the Deputy had lights and sirens activated, turned in front of the Deputy's vehicle. The passenger, a married mother of three, was killed. The driver, the daughter of the passenger, was seriously injured, as was the rear-seat passenger. Plaintiffs asked the jury for $5,800,000 in addition to an unspecified award for punitive damages. After three hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendants.
Baker v. Brown County Sheriff's Department In the case, the Plaintiff filed suit against the local sheriff’s department. Plaintiff’s decedent (a 19 y/o girl home on a break from her freshman year at college) was killed after the vehicle she was traveling in struck a utility pole. Plaintiff’s decedent was a passenger. That vehicle was being pursued by a Brown Country Sheriff’s Deputy. Plaintiff alleged the pursuit was unnecessary in that the original investigative stop was for a misdemeanor damage to property and a stop sign violation. The pursuit lasted 20 minutes, went through four different counties and involved high speeds (100 mph). The Plaintiff alleged willful and wanton conduct on the part of the Brown County Sheriff’s Department and its deputy, John Zimmerman. Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to return a verdict in the range of $3-$5 million. The jury returned a defense verdict after 25 minutes of deliberation.
Ridenour v. Kaiser-Hill Co. 397 F.3d 925 (10th Cir. 2005) Successful defense of government contractor in False Claims Act appeal averting revelation of classified information and adopting the Sequoia standard of review.
A.F.S.C.M.E. v. Governor Rod R. Blagojevich - Illinois Governor made the executive decision to close the Pontiac Prison – part of the Illinois Department of Corrections system. In response, The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (A.F.S.C.M.E.) and others filed suit against the Governor and other defendants claiming the Governor did not have the right to take that action and sought a writ of mandamus Order commanding the Governor to reverse his decision and to continue operating the prison. A.F.S.C.M.E. also sought a temporary restraining Order (T.R.O.) preventing the Governor or the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections from taking any action consistent with closing the prison until the court ruled on the plaintiff's request for the writ. We responded to the plaintiff's T.R.O. asking the court to deny the issuance of the T.R.O. and filed a Motion to Dismiss the plaintiff's Complaint for Writ of Mandamus. The court denied the request for the temporary restraining order. The court later dismissed the entire cause of action brought by plaintiffs.
Peters v. Village of Clifton 498 F.3d 727 (7th Cir. 2007), cert. denied, 128 S. Ct. 1472 (2008) Plaintiff sued a municipality, alleging a takings claim. The federal complaint was dismissed on grounds that the district court had no subject matter jurisdiction over the takings claim. The case was appealed to, and affirmed by, the Seventh Circuit. The plaintiff filed a writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court and that petition was denied.
Doe v. Board of Trustees of University of Illinois: A former student sued the University after he was dismissed from the medical school program. The fifteen count federal complaint asserted damages in excess of $100 million. Several counts were dismissed at the pleading stage and the entire lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice before discovery closed.
Joanne Meyer, as Executor of the Estate of Jack Meyer v. Coal Valley Fire Protection 93 L 327 (Rock Island County) Wrongful death case wherein it was claimed that emergency response personnel failed to properly respond to a 911 call which delayed treatment. The verdict was not guilty.
Cunningham v. Moody 99 L 25 (Henry County) 2002 The plaintiff claimed the defendant, a police officer, utilized excessive force when arresting and physically subduing the plaintiff. The plaintiff claimed he brandished a baseball bat to defend himself from an imminent assault by three individuals who were part of a volatile crowd. The plaintiff claimed he heard someone from behind order him to drop the bat and that he was immediately maced and struck in the face before he had a reasonable opportunity to determine a police officer was the individual giving him the command. The defendant claimed he gave the plaintiff several warnings before utilizing physical force. The plaintiff sustained a small fracture of the jaw, soft tissue damage, and permanent nerve damage. The plaintiff asked the jury for $116,000. The verdict was not guilty.
City of Springfield v. Hashman 332 Ill. App. 3d 748 (4th Dist. 2002) Application of various provisions of the Illinois Municipal Code and city ordinances governing the ability of a municipality such as the City of Springfield to prevent pollution of its public water supply (Lake Springfield), and even if that entails going beyond its corporate limit to do so.
Baker v. West Peoria Township 286 Ill. App. 3d 1137 (3d Dist. 1997) Nuisance case brought by township (our client) against local race track; race track shut down; affirmed on appeal.

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