Illinois Zoning, Eminent Domain and Land Use Manual

Thomas F. Geselbracht is Partner in the Chicago office of the international law firm of DLA Piper LLP (U.S.). He concentrates in eminent domain, land use, environmental, and title insurance litigation. Mr. Geselbracht has authored numerous articles, videos, and reports on land use, waste management, just compensation, condemnation of property, and related topics. He is a co-author of the book, Condemnation of Property: Practice and Strategies for Winning Just Compensation, teaches classes in land use law at the University of Chicago Law School and Northwestern University Law School, and is a frequent lecturer. Mr. Geselbracht holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, and received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Marquette University. [e-mail: Thomas.Geselbracht@DLAPiper.com]

Theodore J. Novak is Senior Partner in the Chicago office of the international law firm of DLA Piper LLP (U.S) and a member of the firm's governing Policy Committee. DLA Piper LLP (U.S.), a full service general practice law firm, houses one of the country's largest real estate law practices. Mr. Novak heads the firm's zoning, land use, and condemnation department. He has had extensive experience with administrative, legislative, and judicial processes. Mr. Novak has been instrumental in the condemnation, rezoning, and development of all types of property: residential, commercial, office, and combinations thereof. Within his area of concentration, Mr. Novak has extensive litigation experience in the trial courts and has argued before the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts on numerous occasions. He has lectured in numerous forums and has authored a range of books and articles. [e-mail: Theordore.Novak@DLAPiper.com]

Mark A. Gershon is Shareholder in the Chicago office of the national law firm of Polsinelli Shughart, PC. Mr. Gershon is Vice-Chair of the firm's Real Estate Practice Group. His practice includes land use and zoning, annexation, development, acquisition and disposition, financing, and licensing. Mr. Gershon has been actively involved in establishing private-public partnerships, and has successfully worked with numerous community leaders and property owners to coordinate land use analysis and zoning approvals. Mr. Gershon is co-author, with Mr. Novak, of "Land Use and Development Controls," Basic Real Estate, Vol. II (Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 1995) as well as numerous articles on real estate development and taxation. Mr. Gershon has his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and his bachelor of science degree from Northwestern University. [e-mail: MGershon@Polsinelli.com]