James M. Kane has extensive experience in complex Chicago zoning matters.
He serves as zoning counsel to real estate developers, institutional clients and nonprofit entities involved in securing planned developments, zoning amendments, variations and special uses under the Chicago Zoning Ordinance for the renovation of landmark structures and the development of:
- High-rise office, condominium and mixed-use buildings
- Residential developments
- Shopping centers
- Institutional developments
- Parking garages
He has appeared before the Chicago Plan Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Commission on Chicago Landmarks, and the City Council Committees on Zoning and Landmarks.
He has served as counsel to various real estate developers and has extensive experience in the areas of:
- Annexation agreements
- Governmental redevelopment agreements
- Homeowners' declarations
- Real estate contracts
- Leases
- Title insurance
- Real estate taxation
- Easements
- Eminent domain
- Plats of subdivisions
- Surveys
Mr. Kane was appointed by former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar to the Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) of the State of Illinois, the state's largest public pension fund, where he served from 1992 to 1996.
He also served as Chair of the Governor's Task Force on Horse Racing in Illinois in 1995, which was charged with addressing the serious problems confronting the Illinois racing industry. Comprised of state lawmakers and industry leaders, the task force drafted legislation adopted by the Illinois General Assembly providing for a comprehensive revision of the statutory framework regulating the Illinois racing industry.
He was subsequently appointed by Governor Edgar to the Illinois Racing Board in 1996 for a six-year term.