Alarm contractors’ argument gets OK to challenge ordinance

Lawyers’ Forum

By Nicholas J. Petrovski and M. Neal Smith

Nicholas J. Petrovski practices in Robbins Schwartz’s municipal, labor and employment and real estate practice groups. M. Neal Smith concentrates his practice in the areas of board governance, land use issues, tax, finance and litigation. He also advises electoral boards and candidates running for public office on issues concerning ballot access and campaign finance.

Posted September 25, 2019 4:21 PM

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently considered a dispute between the village of Schaumburg, the Northwest Central Dispatch System and several commercial 911 fire-alarm service companies.The 7th Circuit’s opinion makes it clear that public entities such as the village may pass legislation which results in exclusive operations by commercial enterprises, but that such legislation must be adequately prepared to avoid potential issues with the U.S. Constitution’s contracts clause. The case is Alarm …

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