Christian G. Spesia

Partner

Chris Spesia is a real estate and municipal attorney with extensive experience in commercial, industrial, energy, retail and residential development, governmental approvals, zoning and land transactions. Chris advises clients in a wide variety of transactional matters, including complex real estate deals, annexation and development agreements, public-private partnerships, governmental development incentives, renewable energy, data centers, and trusts and estate plans.

Chris currently serves as Village Attorney for the Villages of New Lenox and Minooka and assists in the representation of the Cities of Crestwood, Crest Hill, and Kankakee and the Villages of Rockdale, Manhattan, Crete, Bradley and Grant Park. As a municipal attorney, Chris Spesia has been involved in the annexation, rezoning, development and redevelopment of thousands of acres for the Firm’s established and rapidly growing communities. These projects include sales, hotel and energy tax incentive agreements, Tax Increment Financing, Special Service and Special Assessment Areas, and Business Development Districts for the benefit of commercial, data center, industrial and residential projects.

Chris has represented the Firm’s utility clients in land use and construction disputes and in major projects requiring land acquisition, governmental approvals and permits for water towers, water mains, sewage treatment plants, oil and natural gas pipelines and facilities.

Among Chris Spesia’s transactions and cases are those related to:

Worked on contracts for construction of regional Sports Facility, lease and naming rights, and sponsorship agreements.
Complex commercial real estate transactions.
Boundary litigation and boundary line negotiations between neighboring municipalities resolving disputed jurisdiction over thousands of acres of land in high-growth commercial, residential and industrial areas.
Establishment of Special Service Areas and Business Development Districts and transactions that facilitated the construction of Silver Cross Hospital.
Real estate transactions and grant applications that resulted in regional park and sports field facilities.
Represented multiple pipeline companies in zoning and permitting of multiple facilities in Will, Grundy, Livingston, LaSalle, Bureau and Boone Counties.
Obtained municipal zoning approval and negotiated lease for a crude oil tank facility and barge depot.
Represented industrial developer in land use and zoning approvals for road, sewer and water facilities and recapture agreement with the municipality.
Involved in the permitting and zoning approvals for millions of square feet of warehouse and logistics facilities.
Represented landowners in multiple 1031 tax-free exchanges.
Drafted and implemented zoning ordinances for solar, battery energy storage and data center projects.
Crafted annexation and development agreements for solar and data center projects that included favorable contributions and incentives for municipal clients.
Represented not-for-profit client in complex public-private partnership agreement to enable construction of recreation center.
Drafted and administered multi-party development agreement for land purchase, development and sale to boutique grocery chain and nationally-recognized winery and restaurant chain.

Articles and Publications

Construction Before Just Compensation – Fourth District Changes Game In Condemnation Cases
(Illinois Local Government Lawyers Association Journal, November 2015)

Special Value Has No Value In Condemnation Cases
(Illinois Local Government Lawyers Association Journal, May 2015)

Video Gaming – A Good Gamble for Future Municipal Revenues?
(Illinois Institute for Local Government Law Journal, November 2012)

Local Public Entities And Estoppel As Defense
(Illinois Institute for Local Government Law Journal, April 2010)

How Pochie v. Cook County Officers Electoral Bd. May Affect An Objector’s Petition To Candidates’ Nominating Papers
(Illinois Institute for Local Government Law Journal, April 2009)

Regulating Campaign Contributions And Adopting More Restrictive Ethics Provisions
(Illinois Institute For Local Government Law Journal, May 2008)

When Does Estoppel Apply Against A Public Entity?
(Illinois Institute For Local Government Law Journal, October 2007)

Fact Specific vs. Ultimate Facts – Pleading Requirements In Court Controlled Annexations
(Illinois Institute For Local Government Law Journal, June 2006)

Special Service Areas And Special Assessment Areas – A Growing Trend In Financing Of Public Improvements For New Construction
(Illinois Institute For Local Government Law Journal, January 2006)

Second District Declares Right To Cross-Examination In Zoning Hearings
(Illinois State Bar Association Local Government Law Newsletter, March 2001)

Can A Bank Foreclose On An Annexation Agreement?
(Illinois State Bar Association Local Government Law Newsletter, March 2000; Illinois Institute For Local Government Law Journal, January 2001)