John O'Driscoll Tressler LLP

O'Driscoll, John M. Partner

O'Driscoll, John M. Partner

Practice Focus

John M. O’Driscoll works out of our Chicago and Bolingbrook offices.  He is a partner and Co-Chair of our Local Government Practice Group. His practice includes representing companies and individuals in business disagreements and providing general counsel services to local governmental bodies such as municipalities, school districts, library districts and park districts. John handles a wide variety of disputes such as business litigation, breaches of contract, construction issues, employment disputes, property damage, tort liability defense, labor negotiations, internet defamation, ordinance violations, “sunshine laws” compliance, professional negligence matters and complex litigation.

Professional Background

Prior to joining Tressler in 1999, John was an attorney with Craig and Craig. John has been selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers® every year since 2012 and an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars® from 2008 to 2011. He has also been recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” by the Leading Lawyers® Network every year since 2017. Furthermore, John has received the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel’s President’s Award for his exceptional service, dedication and significant contributions to the IDC and its President. Additionally, he was named a recipient of the IDC Meritorious Service Award for his outstanding service as co-chair of the IDC Commercial Litigation Committee.

Leading Lawyer

Memberships & Affiliations

  • American Bar Association, Member
  • DRI, Member, Commercial Litigation Committee and Professional Liability Committee
  • Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Member; Local Government Law Committee, 2013-2017 Chair; (former Chair of Spring Seminar and Business Law Committees)
  • Illinois Municipal League, Member, Home Rule Attorneys Committee
  • Illinois State Bar Association, Member, Local Government Law Section Council
  • Labor and Employment Relations Association, Member
  • Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois, Member
  • Chicago Bar Association, Judicial Evaluation Committee, Former Member
  • Oswego Community Unit School District 308’s Board of Education, Former Member

Publications

Recent Articles and Blogs

Articles:

Municipal Litigation chapter, “Illinois Municipal Law: Contracts, Litigation, and Home Rule”, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2012-2024 Editions

Park District chapter, “Illinois Special Districts”, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2011-2024 Editions

Open Meetings Act chapter, “Illinois Sunshine Laws”, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2024 Edition

“Short-Term Housing Rental Found to Violate R-1 Zoning Code,” Illinois State Bar Association’s Local Government Law Newsletter, April 2022 

Land Use Process chapter, “Land Use Law: Practice and Procedure”, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2021 Edition

Land Use Agreement chapter, “Land Use Law: Practice and Procedure”, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2021 Edition

IDC Contributor, "Residency Requirement for Firefighter Upheld," Local Law Committee Newsletter, Volume 19 Number 5, Pg. 14. June 2018

IDC Contributor, "Village Avoids Retaliation Claim After Employee Takes FMLA Leave," Local Law Committee Newsletter, Volume 19 Number 5, Pg. 14. June 2018

“Board Members Should Talk More! Open Meetings Act Violation for Failure to Provide a Sufficient Public Recital of the Key Facts of an Agenda Item Before Voting,” ISBA’s Local Government Law Section Newsletter, February 2017 

“The Tort Immunity Act,” IDC Quarterly, Volume 27, Number 3, January 2017

Co-author, “Survey of Local Government Law Cases,” IDC Survey of Law, 2012-2017

"No Monkey Business with the Scope of the Tort Immunity Act’s Coverage,” IDC Local Government Law Committee Newsletter, 2015

“Enforcement of Arbitration Provisions: The Arbitration Process,” IDC Quarterly, August 2012

“Balancing First Amendment Rights with the Interests of Public Employers: The Origins and Legacy of Garcetti v. Ceballos”, IDC Quarterly, August 2012

“Guide To Illinois Sunshine Laws,” co-author, Illinois Association of Park Districts, 2012

“Sudden burst of FOIA binding opinions from the Public Access Counselor,” Illinois State Bar Association’s Local Government Law Newsletter, March 14, 2012 (Vol. 48, No. 6)

“The Struggle Over Selective Waiver and the Production of Confidential Information to the Government” IDC Quarterly, May 2008

Blog Posts:

"Watch Out for These Dates for the Upcoming 2025 Consolidated Election!," Local Government Lowdown, July 30, 2024

"U.S. Department of Labor Issues New Overtime Rule," Local Government Lowdown, April 29, 2024

"Reminder: May 1st Deadline for Filing of Statement of Economic Interests," Local Government Lowdown, March 16, 2023

"Election Season, Electioneering and Campaign Sign Reminders," Local Government Lowdown, February 6, 2023

"Strip Search By Transgender Guard Violated Inmate’s Religious Rights," Local Government Lowdown, September 28, 2022

New Web Accessibility Guidance Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Local Government Lowdown, May 12, 2022

"City Found to Have No Duty Regarding Pothole Due to Tort Immunity Act and Open and Obvious Condition," Local Government Lowdown, September 2, 2021

"Reminder: May 1st Deadline for Filing of Statement of Economic Interests," Local Government Lowdown, April 12, 2021

"Sign, Sign, Everywhere An Election Sign. Blockin’ Out The Scenery, Breakin’ My Mind," Local Government Lowdown, February 18, 2021

"New Department Of Labor Rule Regarding Employee Versus Independent Contractor Under FLSA," Local Government Lowdown, January 8, 2021

"Election Selfie of Completed Ballot Is Still a Felony!," Local Government Lowdown, December 17, 2020

"Illinois Supreme Court Reiterates That Police Ticket Quotas Are Impermissible," Local Government Lowdown, November 30, 2020

"Key Dates for the Upcoming 2021 Election," Local Government Lowdown, September 15, 2020.

"Qualified Immunity Trumps Excessive Force Claim Where Plaintiff Tried To Ram Officer," Local Government Lowdown, July 15, 2020

"Recent Legislation," Local Government Lowdown, September 9, 2019

"The Future Is Now: Artificial Intelligence Can Now Be Used During Job Interviews," Local Government Lowdown, August 14, 2019

"Election Season Campaign Sign Reminder," Local Government Lowdown. October 23, 2018

"Deadlines for School Board Candidates," Local Government Lowdown, September 7, 2018

"Snow Way Around It: Court Finds Deliberate Encounter Exception Does Not Apply To Slip And Fall Case Involving Pile Of Snow," Local Government Lowdown, September 4, 2018. 

"Appellate Court Finds ComEd Annexation Agreement Invalid," Local Government Lowdown, May 24, 2018

"Village Avoids Retaliation Claim After Employee Takes FMLA Leave," Local Government Lowdown, May 1, 2018

"Residency Requirement for Firefighter Upheld," Local Government Lowdown, March 26, 2018

"Some Pension Relief for Governments Under Firefighter Benefits," Local Government Lowdown, March 2, 2017.

"How the Supreme Court’s Ruling in “Carle Foundation” Affects Local Tax Bases," Local Government Lowdown, April 17, 2017

"Election Season Campaign Sign Reminder," Local Government Lowdown, March 21, 2017

"Statute Prohibiting Child Sex Offenders in Parks Held Unconstitutional," Local Government Lowdown, February 14, 2017

"Non-Profit Hospital Property Tax Headed Towards Resolution Before Illinois Supreme Court," Local Government Lowdown, January 11, 2017

"Court Finds OMA Violation by Board for Failure to Provide Sufficient Public Recital of Key Facts of Agenda Items Before Vote," Local Government Lowdown, December 20, 2016

"Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks New Department of Labor Overtime Rules," Local Government Lowdown, November 23, 2016

"Reminder: Changes to Student Residency Law Take Effect January 1, 2017," Local Government Lowdown, November 22, 2016

"New Law Tightens Travel Reimbursement Guidelines for Local Government Entities," Local Government Lowdown, July 29, 2016

"Constitutionality of Hospital Property Tax Exemption Comes Before Illinois Supreme Court," Local Government Lowdown, February 16, 2016

News

Presentations & Events

Presentations

  • “So You Want To Stay Out Of Jail?,” IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Chicago, January 26, 2024
  • "Are You Allowed to Do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements," 110th Annual Conference of the Illinois Municipal League, Chicago, September 22, 2023

  • “Are You Allowed to do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements,” IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Chicago, January 27, 2023

  • "Are You Allowed to Do That? School District Ethics," IASB-IASA-IASBO Joint Conference, Chicago, November 19, 2022

  • “Are You Allowed to Do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements,” 109th Annual Conference of the Illinois Municipal League, Chicago, September 16, 2022

  • "Are You Allowed to Do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements," IAPD/IPRA Soaring To New Heights, Chicago, January 27- 29, 2022

  • “Are You Allowed to Do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements,” 108th Annual Conference of the Illinois Municipal League, Chicago, September 24, 2021
  • “Mini Law School for HR Professionals,” National Business Institute (NBI, Inc.)’s Webinar, May 20, 2020

  • "Ensuring Local Governments Comply With The Law: A Current Look At Government Immunity," National Business Institute Seminar, Naperville, April 8, 2019

  • “Collections, Bankruptcy, Identity Protection, and Consumer vs. Business”, IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Lake Erie, January 19, 2018

  • “Police Liability Claims From Start to Finish,” National Business Institute Seminar, Naperville, March 9, 2018

  • “Ethics Laws: What Local Government Board Members and Employees Must Know,” Tressler’s Governing With Confidence, Chicago, May 28, 2015

  • “Ethics for Illinois Park Commissioners,” IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Chicago, January 22, 2015

  • “Governmental Entity Rights & Responsibilities,” Concealed Carry in Illinois Seminar, Chicago, October 30, 2014

  • “Ethics and Gift Ban Best Practices,” 101st Annual Conference of the Illinois Municipal League, Chicago, September 18, 2014

  • “Ethics Laws: A Primer for Municipal Officials,” 100th Annual Conference of the Illinois Municipal League, Chicago, October 18, 2013

  • “Ethics Law,” Tressler’s Governing with Confidence, Rosemont, Ill., May 17, 2013

  • “Tort Liability in Public Works,” Chicago Metro Chapter of the American Public Works Association’s Annual Education Update, April 25, 2013

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