LAND ACQUISITION
Whitt Law’s team has provided legal counsel to help school districts acquire more than 60 school sites across Illinois. We help school districts identify suitable properties, evaluate competing properties, and then acquire them through traditional or innovative financing options. Whitt Law can also help a district through eminent domain proceedings in those situations where private land must be taken for public purposes. We have expeditiously helped districts acquire land in the circuit courts of Kane, Kendall, DuPage, Will and Grundy counties so that their facility would be completed in time for students. Also, when school sites or facilities are no longer suitable for school purposes, we assist school districts in disposing of them.
LAND USE AND ZONING
Whitt Law LLC works tirelessly on behalf of our clients to obtain the proper land use entitlements and zoning necessary to construct a public school facility on the chosen site. Our familiarity with municipal, county and local governments throughout Illinois helps us facilitate communication and reach efficient resolutions for our clients.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SELECTION ACT
School boards must comply with the Professional Services Selection Act when contracting for architectural, engineering and land surveying services. With our decades of experience in building schools, Whitt Law LLC has abundant resources to assure compliance with the Act.
COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND CONSTRUCTION
From the solicitation and evaluation of bids to the resolution of issues arising from construction itself, Whitt Law LLC guides school districts through the entire construction process with authority and advocacy. Our professionals regularly provide advice and counsel on the entire contract process, and also, when necessary, represent school districts in cases of breach or substandard performance. Our goal is to ensure that the school district is treated fairly in every step of the process and receives the school facility as promised.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Inside and outside the courtroom, Whitt Law LLC is regularly retained by school districts to help settle disputes arising from the construction, maintenance or damage to school district facilities. Our depth of legal knowledge on the selection of professionals, development of bidding specifications and school construction requirements helps bring resolution to even the most complicated situations.
CASE STUDY
WEST SUBURBAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
In 2002, voters of a west suburban school district approved the building of a new high school. Whitt Law’s team worked closely with the school district to help select and acquire the 100-acre school site, then secured annexation and zoning, selection of design professionals, development of specifications and bidding—all at break neck speed so that the new school could open for students in 2004. When construction was delayed by a Mississippi steel mill that missed delivery of materials, our attorneys promptly flew south, appeared at the mill, and got the project back on schedule.