Schain Banks partners Richard J. Veenstra and Nicholas D. Standiford presented at the Illinois Municipal League’s 2026 Annual Conference in Chicago on emerging legal issues affecting municipalities throughout Illinois.

Rick Veenstra presented “Administrative Adjudication: The Tools You May Already Be Using and (Maybe) Some That You Aren’t.” His presentation addressed recent changes to Illinois law expanding the tools available to municipalities through administrative adjudication, including new authority for administrative hearing officers to order the remediation of code violations and authorize municipalities to take necessary steps to address persistent violations and nuisance properties.

Nick Standiford presented “Solar Energy and Battery Storage: Coming to a Community Near You.” His presentation focused on the rapidly evolving landscape for siting and permitting solar energy and battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities. While renewable energy projects have traditionally been concentrated in unincorporated areas, municipalities are increasingly confronting proposed solar and BESS projects within their corporate limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction. The presentation addressed legal and practical considerations for municipalities evaluating and regulating these projects. Nick also proposed a model ordinance to be considered by municipalities for regulating BESS projects.

The presentations reflect Schain Banks’ extensive experience advising the public and private sector on administrative adjudication, zoning and land use, code enforcement, and renewable energy development and siting throughout Illinois.