Overview

About Brooke Lenneman

Brooke Lenneman counsels local governments on a wide range of topics including zoning, licensing and permitting, governance, policy, and statutory compliance, including compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, Illinois Open Meetings Act, Prevailing Wage Act, and Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. She is the City Attorney for the City of Warrenville.

Brooke has extensive experience drafting legislation; zoning and other development approvals; professional services, construction, and information technology contracts; and intergovernmental agreements. Brooke also represents local government clients in code enforcement, demolition, and railroad right-of-way matters in court and before the Illinois Commerce Commission. She regularly attends board and commission meetings for local government clients.

Brooke also represents property owners and developers in a variety of real estate and transactional projects, and is regularly engaged to resolve licensing, permitting, and other regulatory issues. She counsels business and property owners when building, zoning, licensing, or other municipal code violations have been alleged, including litigation in Circuit Court and before administrative bodies.

Brooke previously served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago where she gained extensive knowledge of Chicago’s Municipal Code, permitting processes, zoning administration, and legislative processes. Brooke prosecuted violations of the City’s zoning ordinance and building code, and defended the City in complaints for equitable relief.

Credentials

EDUCATION

• DePaul University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
• Northwestern University, B.A., with honors

BAR ADMISSIONS/LICENSES

• Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

MEMBERSHIPS

• Chicago Bar Association
• The Legacy Project, Advancing Women in Local Government, NIU Center for Governmental Studies

Publications

• Federal Vaccine Mandate Update, Elrod Friedman Alert, January 5, 2021
• New Whistleblower Statute Imposes Local Government Obligations | Elrod Friedman Alert | November 23, 2021
• Chapter 3, “Impact Fees,” Land Use Law: Special Topics (IICLE, 2021)
• Additional COVID-19 Coronavirus Guidance, Municipal Public Health Emergency Powers, Mayor and Presidents | Elrod Friedman Alert | March 12, 2020.
• The Illinois House Revives Lead Pipe Bill | Holland & Knight Alert | May 20, 2019
• Voluntary FOIA Exemptions: Aurora Police Lawsuit Provides a Cautionary Tale | Holland & Knight Alert | March 23, 2018
• New Illinois Law Requires Local Public Agencies to Regulate Travel Expenses | Holland & Knight Alert | August 1, 2016

Community Service

• Illinois Municipal League Home Rule Attorneys Committee
• The Chicago Bar Association Edward J Lewis Lawyers in the Classroom Program
• AYSO youth soccer coach

Speaking Engagements

• IICLE Land Use Law in Illinois, 2022
• Illinois Local Government Lawyers Association (ILGL) Annual Conference, 2022
• Legacy Project Annual Conference, 2022