Marshall Retains Taylor Law Offices as City Attorney by Ordinance

Marshall City Council | September 28, 2026

Article Summary: The Marshall City Council on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, adopted Ordinance 2026-O-27, retaining Taylor Law Offices, P.C., of Effingham as city attorney under a legal services agreement billing $260.00 an hour for attorneys and $100.00 an hour for paralegals, with no retainer.

Appointment Ordinance Key Points:

• Ordinance 2026-O-27 retains Taylor Law Offices, P.C., 122 East Washington Avenue, Effingham, under 65 ILCS 5/3.1-30-5.
• Standard hourly rates: $260.00 for the managing attorney and for attorneys, $100.00 for paralegals and administrative assistants.
• No initial retainer and no matter retainer; unpaid fees accrue interest at 18 percent a year.
• Scope of work is stated in a single line: “City Attorney – performing those functions as assigned.”

MARSHALL — The Marshall City Council on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, adopted an appointment ordinance retaining Taylor Law Offices, P.C., to represent the city, and authorized Mayor John Hasten to execute the accompanying legal services agreement.

Alderman Foster Propst made the motion to adopt Ordinance 2026-O-27 and Alderman Warren LeFever seconded. All council members present voted in favor; Alderman Greg King was absent. The minutes record no discussion.

The ordinance recites that the city is authorized under 65 ILCS 5/3.1-30-5 to retain the services of attorneys necessary to carry into effect the powers conferred on municipalities, and that the council finds it necessary to retain Taylor Law Offices, P.C., at 122 E. Washington, Effingham. The agreement attached as Exhibit A gives the firm’s address as 122 East Washington Avenue, Effingham, Illinois, 62401.

The scope of services is set out in a one-line exhibit: “City Attorney – performing those functions as assigned.”

The fee exhibit lists three billing categories. The managing attorney, identified as Tracy A. Willenborg, bills at $260.00 per hour. Six attorneys — Aaron K. Leonard, Kara Wade, Andrew Koester, Joel Slater, Breanne Gullidge and Mey Yang — bill at the same $260.00 rate. Three paralegals or administrative assistants — Heather Percival, Aubrey Layton and Jessica Jimenez — bill at $100.00 per hour. Costs and expenses are reimbursed at actual cost. Both the initial retainer fee and the matter retainer fee are listed as none.

Other terms of the agreement require the firm to submit monthly statements describing services provided, time expended and fees and costs due, with payment due within 30 days of receipt. Interest at 18 percent a year accrues on amounts not paid under that article. The firm must inform the city, to the extent reasonably practicable, of costs or expenses above $250.00 before incurring them. The city may terminate the agreement at any time, and the firm may withdraw if the city fails to cooperate or fails to pay. A disclaimer article states that the firm gives no warranties, assurances or guarantees as to outcome, and that any comments on results, estimated fees or timing are expressions of opinion.

Illinois municipalities commonly engage outside counsel on a retained basis rather than employing a city attorney directly, and the authority cited in the ordinance is the general municipal power to do so. The packet copy of the ordinance was circulated with the number, the filing date and the passage date left blank and with the aldermen’s vote column empty; the number 2026-O-27 appears in the minutes, which is the city’s record of what was adopted.

The signature blocks on the ordinance and the agreement name John Hasten as mayor and Elizabeth Richey as city clerk.