2012 Budget Summary - Chicago Park District

LawThe Law Department represents the District on all legal, regulatory and contractual matters. Areasoverseen by this department include the management of personal injury and property damage claimsfiled against the District, claims filed pursuant to the Worker's Compensation Act, environmentallitigation, real estate issues, tax matters, labor relations, municipal corporate matters,intergovernmental agreements, land acquisitions, permits, Constitutional First Amendment Issues,supervision of municipal bond transactions, criminal defense, and license agreements. The Departmentalso manages the District’s legal investigations.Department ExpendituresAccount 2010 Actual 2011 Budget 2012 BudgetPersonnel Services $ 1,594,871 $ 1,632,943 $ 2,039,256Materials & Supplies $ 12,591 $ 65,492 $ 50,492Small Tools & Equipment $ 588 $ 1,000 $-Contractual Services $ 947,449 $ 750,410 $ 600,154Total $ 2,555,499 $ 2,549,845 $ 2,689,902Personnel FTE 20.2 20.2 19.0$2,750,000$2,700,000$2,650,000$2,600,000$2,550,000$2,500,000$2,450,0002010 2011 20122011 AccomplishmentsSaved the District over $3,000,000 through the successful defense of the District in personalinjury cases.Recovered a total net savings to the District in excess of $500,000 through effective claimsmanagement, reduction of insurance policy deductible amounts, reduction of premium feesfor insurance renewal and risk transfer through tenders of defense and enforcement ofindemnification provisions in litigation matters.Negotiated over 20 intergovernmental agreements with the City of Chicago, State of Illinois,and the United States federal government agencies to secure funding for the District,undertake joint projects in beach management, acquire land, and provide recreationalprograms. Represented the District in various joint initiatives with museums operating onPark District land to restructure debt and provide additional funding for capital projects.Processed and closed 100% of requests under the Freedom of Information Actelectronically. 85% of FOIA requests were closed within five days and 100% of FOIA requestswere answered within 10 days.2012 GoalsReduce risk exposure of the District by providing aggressive, skillful and specialized defensein personal injury, union, labor, and employment grievance in federal court, state court, andadministrative adjudication agencies. Recover money for the District by pursuingjudgments and awards in favor of the District through tender of defense and enforcementof indemnification provisions.108