Fein Legal Solutions, LLC d/b/a The Law Office of David Fein

06/11/2026

Big changes are coming to how large-scale power projects connect to the grid. ⚡

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) just approved a fast-track initiative allowing PJM Interconnection to expedite up to 10 massive power projects a year. The goal? Bring much-needed electricity online within three years to keep up with the explosive demand driven by data centers and tech infrastructure.

This decision wasn't without controversy - several state agencies, including our own Illinois Commerce Commission, voiced concerns over how this might impact grid costs and standard ratepayers.

Navigating the intersection of energy law, state siting authority, and federal policy is more critical than ever. Fein Legal Solutions, LLC is here to help stakeholders stay ahead of these rapid regulatory shifts.

Check out the full article to learn more about what this means for the future of our regional grid! ➡️ https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-pjm-fast-track-expedited-interconnection-eit/822479/?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_D5MycCjFUwtmJC0jcIN683ABZJHH6nn0r2zkMeYB14ay2ttku3fzx7AP0hQGfxQJ83VrJ-GEVDe6o2i9UhLDWIwdCOw&_hsmi=423353139&utm_content=423353139&utm_source=hs_email

06/10/2026

We've spent billions of dollars nationwide installing millions of "smart meters" on homes and businesses. The promise? Helping consumers track their usage, shift their demand, and save money while protecting grid reliability.

But a major new complaint detailed by Canary Media reveals a frustrating reality: many utilities across the PJM grid region are keeping that data locked up. By withholding this information from competitive demand-response companies, utilities are limiting the tools consumers have to lower their power bills.

The silver lining? Here in Illinois, early regulatory frameworks mean Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) generally scores higher marks for data sharing and accessibility than many of its neighboring peers. But as data demands grow, the debate over who truly "owns" and can easily utilize meter data continues to evolve. Unlocking this data is essential for an affordable, flexible energy future, but it must be balanced with robust data privacy.

Read the full breakdown on the current national bottleneck here: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/utilities/utilities-not-sharing-smart-meter-data

06/09/2026

Big changes are happening in Illinois energy policy, and they could have a direct impact on your business operations, clean energy projects, and monthly utility bills.

Volume 4 of Illinois Energy Intel is live, offering a clear breakdown of the state's biggest energy battles:
🔹 Data Center Policy Shifts: Gov. Pritzker has paused lucrative tax incentives for new data centers. A new proposed framework mandates that these massive tech facilities pay for their own clean energy infrastructure so everyday retail ratepayers aren't stuck with the bill.
🔹 Escalating Utility Rate Battles: Consumer advocates are aggressively fighting multi-million dollar delivery rate hikes proposed by Peoples Gas, Nicor, and Illinois American Water.
🔹 Equitable Clean Energy: Lawmakers successfully passed HB 1700 to protect funding for the Illinois Solar for All program and accelerate the state’s battery storage goals.

Whether you are trying to protect a commercial property portfolio from shifting grid costs or evaluating a new renewable project timeline, staying ahead of these regulatory deadlines is vital.

Check out the full summary and key regulatory calendar dates on our portal: https://www.feinlegalsolutions.com/blog/illinois-energy-intel-vol-4

Solutions

06/08/2026

What happens to the business you spent years building if your marriage ends? For many business owners right here in the Highland Park community, a company is the product of years of dedication, reputation-building, and relationships.

In our latest co-authored piece for the Highland Park Illinois Chamber of Commerce blog, Jonathan Merel Merel Family Law and I break down the legal and operational strategies entrepreneurs need to navigate personal transitions safely.

From understanding how Illinois courts evaluate business assets under Section 503 to utilizing the strict confidentiality of mediation to protect your business operations, we cover what you need to know to secure your firm's future.

Click the link below to read the full insights on my website:
https://www.feinlegalsolutions.com/blog/professionals-pivot-protecting-business-interests

Fein Legal Solutions offers experienced divorce mediation, family law consultation, and energy regulatory counsel in Highland Park, Illinois. Led by David Fein with 30+ years of legal experience.

06/05/2026

Major update for Illinois residents, businesses, and the tech sector: Governor Pritzker has announced an immediate pause on new state tax incentives for data centers, effective July 1, 2026.

Why the sudden halt? Data centers use large amounts of electricity and water - sometimes as much as a medium-sized city. Without proper guardrails, this rapid expansion strains our local electric grids and water resources, which could ultimately lead to higher utility bills for working families and businesses.

Existing data center agreements will be honored, but the Governor is pausing new ones to push for comprehensive reforms during the fall veto session. His proposed plan focuses on making sure data centers "pay their fair share" by:

💡 Creating a new electricity rate class so large tech facilities cover their own infrastructure costs.
💧 Requiring strict water permits and sustainable recycling systems (some facilities use up to 5 million gallons a day).
🛑 Banning non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) between tech companies and local governments to keep the process transparent for local communities.

Finding the balance between economic growth and protecting local infrastructure is a complex hurdle. Stay tuned as these policy debates head to Springfield this fall.



https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-pauses-new-data-center-tax-incentives

06/05/2026

We’ve all heard the concerns about how the massive growth of data centers and AI could strain our power grid and drive up costs for regular consumers. But what if big tech’s massive power demands could actually be used to pay regular homeowners and local businesses? ⚡

Google just signed a groundbreaking 100MW deal with Voltus to create a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) right here in the PJM Interconnection region (covering parts of 13 states).

Here is what "Virtual Power Plant" actually means in plain English: Instead of building a giant, expensive, fossil-fuel peaker plant to handle high electricity demand, Voltus will network together hundreds of smaller local energy resources - like smart thermostats, commercial building backup batteries, and solar setups. When the grid gets stressed, this network dials back usage or feeds power back into the system.

The best part? Google is funding it, and local participants get paid to help.

This is a massive win for grid reliability and proves that if we design energy policy and corporate partnerships correctly, large tech investments can directly benefit local ratepayers and build a cleaner, more resilient grid for everyone.

06/04/2026

🔥 Hot off the presses today! 🔥

We’ve all noticed our electricity bills climbing recently. Because data centers are large and expanding rapidly, they’ve become the main target in public debates about these rising costs.

But when it comes to utility policy, facts matter.

A brand-new, independent report out today from Energy and Environmental Economics (E3) - Understanding the Drivers of Rising Electricity Rates and the Role of Data Centers - flips the common narrative on its head.

The data shows: There is NO quantitative evidence that data centers are being subsidized by everyday ratepayers. In fact, when structured correctly by regulators, these large facilities can actually contribute millions in net surplus revenue, helping to keep costs down for residential customers.

The real drivers behind rising electric rates are complex and varied, including inflation, grid modernization, natural gas volatility, and power plant retirements. Interestingly, states with the highest data center growth (like Virginia) have actually seen some of the smallest rate hikes.

To protect consumers and support growth, regulators must continue to adapt with updated tariffs and smarter grid forecasting.

Take a look at the full report to get the real facts behind the grid's evolution! 👇

🔗 https://www.ethree.com/electricity-rate-drivers-data-center-role-2026/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosgenerate&stream=top

06/04/2026

If you or someone you know is contemplating a divorce, here is a piece of advice that could save months of stress, high costs, and emotional exhaustion:

Consider calling a mediator before you call a litigation attorney. 📞

When a marriage ends, the natural impulse is often to gear up for a courtroom battle. But starting the process with an adversarial mindset can lock you into a high-conflict path before you even realize what's happened.

Choosing to speak with a mediator first is a powerful way to take control of your divorce on the front end:

✨ You have absolutely nothing to lose. Exploring mediation doesn't mean you can't hire a traditional lawyer later if you need to. It simply keeps your options open.
📚 You will learn the facts. Mediation is an educational process. It helps you slow down, understand how the asset division and co-parenting structures actually work, and figure out what’s best for your unique family.
Architect You write the blueprint. Instead of letting judges or court dates control your life, you and your spouse retain the power to make your own decisions calmly.

Before you step into a courtroom dynamic, educate yourself on the alternatives.

Fein Legal Solutions, LLC (dba The Law Office of David Fein) is here to help you navigate this transition with clarity and dignity. Reach out today to discuss your options.

👉 Find out more at www.feinlegalsolutions.com

06/04/2026

A strong community is built by the organizations that lift everyone up. ❤️

A couple Fridays ago, Fein Legal Solutions, LLC had the privilege of being a sponsor for the community blood drive organized by Keshet. We love seeing our logo alongside so many wonderful local partners, but the true highlight was supporting the incredible organization behind the event.

Keshet provides a vital, life-changing service right here in our area. They do beautiful work creating educational, recreational, and vocational programs for children and adults with disabilities. Their mission is entirely rooted in inclusion - ensuring that every single individual has a place to belong, grow, and thrive.

When Keshet calls on the community to come together for an event like a blood drive, we will always answer. Doing our part to support their staff, their families, and their vision is an honor.

Thank you to everyone who came out to donate, and an even bigger thank you to Keshet for everything you do to make our community a kinder, more inclusive place to live.

👉 Learn more about their amazing work and how you can support them here: https://keshet.org/

06/04/2026

Headline: Did this Memorial Day weekend reveal the gaps in your parenting plan?

Holiday weekends are supposed to be about family, rest, and creating memories. But for many co-parents, they can become sources of high stress. When an agreement relies on vague terms like “reasonable parenting time” or “reasonable notice” for travel, a long weekend often exposes those gaps through schedule friction and last-minute panic.

The best defense against future conflict is extreme clarity. While standard agreements cover basic schedules, it’s the day-to-day and seasonal details that trap co-parents down the road.

If you are currently structuring an agreement, ensure these 5 critical, child-centric provisions are explicitly baked into your parenting plan:

➡️ 1. Travel and Passports (The "May 1st" Rule): Don't leave summer travel up to guesswork. Require a strict written notice period for extended vacations (e.g., summer travel dates must be finalized in writing by May 1st each year). Specify who physically holds the child’s passport, how renewal costs are split, and a firm timeline for handing it over prior to a trip.

➡️ 2. Therapy Access and Mental Health Support: Prioritize a child-centric approach. Explicitly state that either parent has the right to seek professional counseling or therapy for the child. While the other parent must be promptly notified, neither should have the power to veto or block necessary mental health support.

➡️ 3. The Reality of the Right of First Refusal (ROFR): ROFR sounds great in theory - if a parent needs childcare for a specific window, they must offer that time to the other parent first. However, to avoid turning this into a high-conflict tracking tool, explicitly exclude regular working hours.

➡️ 4. Extracurriculars & Summer Camp Expenses: Clearly define consent and financial obligations. Does enrollment require joint agreement if the activity occurs solely during one parent's time? Outline precisely how seasonal changes - like summer camps - are shared (e.g., 50/50 or pro-rata based on income).

➡️ 5. Technology and Unified Discipline: If a child loses phone or driving privileges at House A due to safety violations or poor grades, does that consequence carry over to House B? While day-to-day rules vary, outlining a "unified front" guideline for major disciplinary issues helps maintain deep stability for teens moving between homes.

The Bottom Line:
A comprehensive parenting plan isn’t about being rigid; it’s about establishing clear boundaries so that both parents can focus on what truly matters: a healthy, low-conflict environment for your children.

If you need help mediating a structured parenting plan that protects your family’s future, let's connect. I offer complimentary consultations to help you navigate these pieces with confidence.

📩 Send a DM or click the link in my bio to book a confidential call.