Office

2800 West Higgins Road
Suite 425
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
P 847.843.2900
F 847.843.3355
Email

Practice

Governmental & Municipal Affairs »

Land Use »

Donna B. McDonald
Partner

Ms. McDonald is a Partner in the Local Government Department at Arnstein & Lehr's Hoffman Estates office. She has represented villages and municipalities, governmental entities, and community colleges in Cook, Kane and Lake Counties. Her experience includes drafting ordinances, prosecuting local ordinance calls, defending appeals of demolition cases, negotiating and drafting annexation agreements, zoning variations, special uses, development agreements and PUD ordinances, and analyzing contracts for services and real estate. In 2007, Ms. McDonald participated in the update of the IICLE Subdivision Chapter, and presented at an ISBA Construction Law Seminar where she spoke on pre-construction issues including subdivisions, the variance process and annexation agreements. Ms. McDonald has participated in labor negotiations, and defended clients accused of unfair labor practices and alleged violations of the Drug- Free Work Act.

Ms. McDonald was the lead attorney in preparing a $23,000,000 referendum for renovation of the existing main Poplar Creek Public Library District building as well as a major addition thereto. The preparation included negotiations with various architectural firms, construction managers and contractors regarding design and pre-construction issues. The referendum prevailed on April 17, 2007, and future work will include representing the Library before the Village of Streamwood, Zoning Board as well as rendering advice during the construction itself.

Additionally, she has represented both candidates and objectors before the Chicago and the State of Illinois Electoral Boards and has served as legal counsel for the Clerk of Cook County on election days.

Professional Activities and Achievements

Ms. McDonald has served as an arbitrator in the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program for over ten years, and has served as Chair approximately thirty times.

Education

Northern Illinois University (J.D.)
Clarke College (B.A.)

Bar Admissions

State of Illinois; U.S. District Court; Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals