WILL Defends Private Property Rights in Saukville

WILL issued a warning to the American Transmission Company (ATC) regarding its plan to build a massive new transmission line across the property of Tom and Mary Uttech in Saukville, WI, for the sole benefit of a new AI data center in Port Washington, WI.

The proposed transmission line project would destroy the Uttech family’s scenic landscape, which is protected by a conservation easement and is the inspiration of many paintings created by Mr. Uttech, a nationally renowned artist. Unlike other states, archaic Wisconsin regulations encourage the construction of miles of unnecessary and destructive power lines for data centers instead of on-site power generation.

This proposed route, if ultimately approved, would eventually end with the privately-owned transmission company exercising government power to take the Uttech land against their wishes.

WILL Client, Tom Uttech, stated, “This land is our home, and my wife and I have spent decades cultivating and caring for its natural beauty. As an artist, this land continues to be my inspiration for all that I do. My wife and I do not want to sell and certainly do not want this land stolen from us just to benefit a privately owned data center.”

WILL Holds Woke Governors Accountable on Discriminatory Quotas

WILL has threatened legal action against several states, including Illinois, who are refusing to comply with the Trump Administration's final rule to suspend all race- and gender quotas in the federally funded “Disadvantaged Business Enterprise” (DBE) program. The program awards funding for federal highway construction projects.

On October 3, 2025, USDOT published the final rule eliminating race and sex discrimination in the DBE program. In short, no state, city, county, or prime contractor may award or enforce any federally funded contract with race- or sex-based quotas.

Since then, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's Department of Transportation (ILDOT) notified highway contractors that it will keep race- and sex-based quotas (“DBE goals”) on upcoming projects in defiance of the Trump Administration directives.

Since 2023, WILL has been at the forefront of ending the discriminatory DBE program, representing road and construction contractors in cases like the landmark MAMCO v. USDOT, where the program was ruled unconstitutional, and successfully challenging the City of Chicago's race-based casino project.

WILL Deputy Counsel, Dan Lennington, stated, “The governor’s behavior is illegal and irresponsible. Time and time again, federal courts and the Trump administration have indicated that using taxpayer dollars on race-based programs like the DBE are unconstitutional and unlawful. States that defy federal rules will face serious consequences. We are prepared to take appropriate action should Pritzker fail to comply with the Constitution and new federal guidance from the Trump Administration.”

OCTOBER 28 WEBINAR: Take Back Control of Your Child's Education

Parents in over 25 states have now exercised their new constitutional right, affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Mahmoud v. Taylor, to opt children out of instruction that conflicts with their religious beliefs.

Join WILL for an informative webinar to help better understand this ruling and ensure your school district respects the law regarding parental opt-out requests for your child.

Date: Tuesday, October 28

Time: 11 AM

WILL Takes Education Reform to Oregon

WILL is expanding our impact on education reform nationwide!

Last week, WILL Associate Counsel Lauren Greuel traveled to Oregon to present WILL's Restoring American Education project at the Community School Boards Conference in Albany. She presented model policies designed to empower local school boards and put parents back in charge of their child's education.

This is part of WILL's Restoring American Education initiative.

Other Ways To Get Involved With WILL:

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