Robert K. Bush
Of Counsel
Chicago Office
140 S. Dearborn Street, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
Direct Phone: 312.604.9105
Fax: 312.782.0943
Email: rbush@ancelglink.com
Illinois parks and villages trust Rob to provide practical and creative legal solutions to their most difficult challenges.
Rob presently serves as Village Attorney for the Villages of Harwood Heights and as Park District Counsel to the Park District of Highland Park, the Frankfort Square Park District, the Glencoe Park District, the Hoffman Estates Park District, among many others. Rob works closely with the many self-insured pools represented by Ancel Glink and is the corporate counsel for various self-insurance risk pools throughout Illinois. Rob has authored the “Illinois Park District Law Handbook,” published by the Illinois Association of Park Districts, now in its 7th edition and heads the firm’s park district practice.
Rob serves as the firm’s supervisor of its park district and workers’ compensation practice. He has regularly presented before state and national organizations on general municipal and park district corporate and litigation matters, workers’ compensation, ADA, and FMLA issues.
Experience
For over 35 years, Rob has represented Illinois municipalities, park districts and other local governments in all facets of corporate and litigation matters. He has addressed areas of controversy and concern for his clients with effective advice and deliberation. This includes work at board meetings, internal discussions, public presentations and in the court room.
Particular highlights of his recent practice include:
- Represents the PDHP in its acquisition of a local country club from the City to create a large area for natural preservation.
- Crafted a new contract and by-laws for the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force.
- Represented the Village of Harwood Heights in a redevelopment project involving a new Mariano’s Fresh Market.
- Represented various public entities in public/private partnerships involving the Chicago Wolves and Benedictine University.
- Represented various park districts in the acquisition, protection and development of extensive open space.
- Was instrumental in the organization and representation of LIRA, The Libraries of Illinois Risk Management Agency.
Presentations
Rob is a frequent speaker at local and national conferences on local government and workers’ compensation issues, including the following:
- Park Board Wars, IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference
- How to Avoid “High Noon” with Proper Board Practices and Procedures
- Understanding PEDA/PSEBA and the Impact on Workers’ Compensation
- It’s Not Privatization: Implementing Partnerships in Illinois
- Ethics in this Era of Transparency
- Is Your Agency Protected? Liability Cases that Provide the Guideposts
- Freedom of Information Act/Open Meetings Act
Publications
Rob has published on a variety of local government and related matters, including the following:
- Gregory W. Jones & Robert K. Bush, Lifeguard on Duty? Safety Basics for Public Swimming Pools, Illinois Parks Association Risk Services, June 2015
- “Municipal Law,” IICLE Municipal Law Series Handbook (2011)
- “Illinois Park District Law Handbook,” Illinois Association of Park Districts
- Article on “Civility,” Illinois Municipal League Review
- Article on Compensation Issues for Firefighters in Illinois for Illinois Bar Journal
Honors & Awards
- 1984 – “Lawyer in the Classroom” award by Constitutional Rights Foundation
- 2008 – “Lifetime Appreciation” award by Illinois Park District Association on behalf of Ancel Glink and Rob
- 2005-2012 – Designated as Illinois “Super Lawyer” in the area of Local Government