Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Community Development
Neal & Leroy represents municipalities and private parties in all aspects of tax increment financing. We successfully defended the City of Chicago’s North Loop TIF District in City of Chicago v. Boulevard Bank National Association, 293 Ill.App.3d 767 (1997). In addition to our numerous cases defending TIF financing in court, we have also represented both municipalities and private owners in the negotiation and closing of tax increment financing development agreements. Such development agreements have included a big box retail project at North and Cicero in Chicago, the Medinah Temple project, and mixed-use developments and retail developments in the Village of Oak Park and elsewhere. One of our most recent and largest TIF projects was the more than $50 million TIF contribution to the University of Illinois South Campus Project.
In addition, Neal & Leroy provides legal advice and representation in other types of community development projects. We have been involved in such properties as the North Loop Development, the South Loop Development, the Clybourn/Ogden Development, the Roosevelt/Homan Development. We have also served in such community development roles outside the City of Chicago, including Oak Park’s downtown development and its Ontario/Harlem development.
In these community development projects, we provide advice about financing opportunities and zoning restrictions, and obtain land use permits as needed. We negotiate development agreements with developers, and coordinate the efforts of diverse municipal departments such as streets, zoning and building. We also serve to organize and facilitate input meetings and agreements between local elected officials and community organizations. In assembling the various projects for community development, we advise clients on the assemblage of property and determining the appropriate value for such properties.
Key Representative Matters
- Represent developers and municipalities in numerous tax increment financing and business retention matters.
- Tried cases testing TIF districts and financing.
- Counsel in airport, TIF and other municipal financing.