Practices: Local Government

When resolving local government concerns, public and private sector clients need attorneys who understand how public processes work and have the experience to develop effective solutions. Ungaretti & Harris attorneys, many of whom have served in local government, counsel a wide range of local government units, including counties and municipalities throughout Illinois. Whether you are a business or association executive, public official or concerned individual, you can rely on us for advice on representing your interests in local government matters.

Economic Development and Economic Incentives

If you want to establish, expand or relocate an industrial or other commercial business, or if you represent a governmental entity wishing to offer financial incentives to such businesses, we can help. Ungaretti & Harris understands the political and business factors involved in establishing effective development incentives, and knows how to help all parties involved achieve their economic objectives.

We facilitate economic development bond financing for clients throughout the Midwest. You get the benefit of our experience on well over $1 billion in economic development financing transactions in this decade alone. That includes work as issuer’s and underwriters’ counsel on such financing vehicles as special assessment and special service bonds, revenue refunding bonds, and adjustable rate demand revenue bonds. Businesses get our help in working with municipalities as well as such state agencies as the Illinois Finance Authority. Financing packages can range from several million dollars to over $1 billion.

Tax Increment Financing

Tax increment financing allows municipalities to create special districts and make public improvements within them to generate private-sector development. With our lawyers’ considerable experience working with municipal and state government authorities, we can help secure TIF approval for projects and negotiate the most favorable redevelopment agreement. Clients have relied on us for TIF assistance throughout the Midwest, including in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Iowa for projects. You get the benefit of our knowledge on how these state governments work, along with our experience in crafting an advantageous package of incentives.

Intergovernmental Relations

Local government entities frequently need help to obtain federal and state funding for airports, highways, mass transit, law enforcement programs, and other municipal needs. You can rely on the lawyers of Ungaretti & Harris to secure the maximum grants and funding assistance available at the appropriate level of government. We can provide you with a comprehensive approach to project funding through a combination of matching grants, direct appropriations and tax-exempt obligations. Government entities have secured millions of dollars in federal funds with our help.

Business Advocacy

Doing business with local government is a complex and competitive process that involves not only bidding and supply issues, but also disputes that can put you directly in the path of political or regulatory controversies. If your business needs guidance on working with local government, trust in Ungaretti & Harris’ ability to advocate on your behalf.

Funding Needs

The tax-exempt financing needs of villages, cities, counties, school and park districts, states and similar governmental entities – whether general obligation bonds, education bonds, or some other special purpose financing – are typically backed by the issuer’s power to levy taxes. They often involve sensitive political considerations, and require financial sophistication to take advantage of such techniques as swaps and derivatives. No matter what your local government financing need, Ungaretti & Harris gives you the perspective and experience of bond counsel that have handled more than $10 billion in tax exempt financings this decade. Our practice is national in scope, as we have served as issuer’s or underwriters’ counsel in 14 states and the District of Columbia.

When you engage us as bond counsel, you can rely on us to:

• Draft all documents relating to authorization, sale and delivery.
• Prepare a definitive legal opinion on enforceability under applicable state and federal laws, including state “blue sky” laws and federal securities regulations.
• Structure the bond for maximum capital appreciation, particularly when revenue generation capability takes time to develop, while still maintaining full tax exemption.
• Provide full assistance when a bond issue requires voter approval, including preparation of referenda and advice on election and bond procedures.

Focused Guidance

Effective work with local government encompasses a wide range of public and private sector purposes: financing, development, purchasing and dispute resolution, to name just a few. Whether your concern is with governmental advocacy, stakeholder communication, or efficient policy administration, turn to Ungaretti & Harris for focused guidance that gets results at the local government level.