A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office:

McHenry County State’s Attorney Hosts Civil Law Conference for Illinois State’s Attorneys

On Friday April 11, 2014, the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office hosted a conference on legal issues facing civil divisions of Illinois State’s Attorney’s offices.

Lou Bianchi

Government lawyers from across the state convened at the McHenry County Administration building to discuss a myriad of topics specifically tailored to the legal representation of counties.

In his opening remarks for the conference, McHenry County State’s Attorney, Louis A. Bianchi, explained the role of civil divisions stating, “While criminal divisions work to keep the community safe, civil divisions work to ensure that counties stay solvent and advise county officials on how to legally act.”

The interest and demand for a conference dedicated to county legal issues was evident by the large turnout totaling more than 50 attendees. Participants included lawyers from over 23 Illinois counties and ten elected state’s attorneys.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney, Carla Wyckoff, and McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney, George Hoffman, presented on county procurement and contracting.

The Public Access Counselor of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Sarah Pratt, spoke on the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act.

County Board Member and local attorney, Joe Gottemoller, and Zoning Board of Appeals Chair and local attorney, Rich Kelly, discussed challenging zoning issues facing counties and the zoning hearing process in McHenry County.

Chief of the McHenry County State’s Attorney Civil Division Donna Kelly and McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Jana Blake Dickson presented on public official ethics and advising county boards.

This was the first time the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office hosted this conference.