§ 2-537. Village attorney

(a) The village attorney shall conduct the law business in which the village is interested.

(b) He shall, when requested by village officers, give written legal opinions, which shall be filed with the clerk.

(c) He shall draft ordinances, bonds and other instruments as may be required by village officers.

(d) He may appoint an assistant who shall have power to perform his duties and for whose acts he shall be responsible to the village. Such assistant shall receive no compensation from the village unless approved by the village board.

(e) The village board may employ and compensate special counsel to assist in or take charge of any matter in which the village is interested.

(f) The village attorney and those persons designated by the village attorney are authorized to:

(1) Investigate complaints alleging violation of this Code and, if the results of such investigation warrant, refer the findings to the appropriate officer, official, committee, board or commission;

(2) File answers and counterclaims in legal or equitable actions to which the village is a party;

(3) Initiate injunctive and abatement actions;

(4) Initiate or respond to appeals in all courts; and

(5) Enter an appearance before any court of competent jurisdiction, administrative agency or quasi-judicial body in any matter in which the village is or may become involved.

(g) The village attorney and those persons designated by the village attorney are delegated the authority to bind the village and its boards, commissions and agencies to the terms and conditions set forth in the following classes of legal matters generally known as:

(1) Insurance waivers and releases;

(2) Assignments of subrogation claims;

(3) Insurance agreements pertaining to proof of financial responsibility;

(4) Stipulations in administrative or judicial proceedings or actions wherein the village incurs no financial obligations except for the payment of statutory costs;

(5) Bankruptcy claims; and

(6) Real estate transfer tax forms.

(Code 2006, § 1.15; Ch. Ord. No. 5-4-84, 5-22-1984)