Ranked in 1 Practice Areas
2

Band 2

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

Illinois

6 Years Ranked

About

Provided by Mariah DiGrino

USA

Practice Areas

• Real Estate

Career

Mariah F. DiGrino is a partner in Croke Fairchild’s Real Estate Practice.

Mariah concentrates her practice in land use and zoning, public-private financing, public incentives, historic preservation, and community and economic development. She represents developers of complex development projects in all asset classes and mixed-use developments, including sports and entertainment facilities, industrial and data center developments, market-rate and affordable housing, and office and retail projects. She advises on annexation, development, zoning, and subdivision approvals, negotiating and implementing public-private development and financing arrangements, and securing incentives that support transformative projects.

Mariah has extensive experience guiding large-scale developments from planning through approval and execution. Her work includes securing zoning and incentive approvals for major redevelopment projects across Chicago, negotiating agreements with public agencies at all levels of government, including Amtrak, Metra, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Park District, Lake County Housing Authority, and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development. She also has experience representing clients in circuit court and appellate court proceedings successfully defending against challenges to entitlement approvals.

Prior to joining the firm, Mariah was a partner at DLA Piper where she led numerous significant development projects, including representation of the Chicago Fire in the entitlement and development of the Endeavor Health Performance Center and the acquisition and development of its new stadium, redevelopment of the former Michael Reese Hospital site into Bronzeville Lakefront, the restoration and redevelopment of the historic Old Main Post Office, and major mixed-use redevelopment projects such as Pullman Park and Southbridge. Her work has also included securing approvals and incentives for the redevelopment of Navy Pier, the renovation of Willis Tower, and the restoration of the historic Uptown Theatre. Finally, she spent 10 years as the pro bono general counsel for The Greater Chicago Food Depository, guiding them through the COVID-19 pandemic and a major facility expansion. 

Professional Memberships

• Lambda Alpha International, Chicago Chapter

• Urban Land Institute

• Wilmette Plan Commission

• Board of Directors, Landmarks Illinois

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Illinois

Education

University of Illinois College of Law

J.D.

Western Illinois University

B.A.

Awards

Landmarks Illinois Influencer

Landmarks Illinois' Preservation Forward

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use - Illinois

2
Band 2
Individual Editorial

Mariah DiGrino of Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC is highly regarded for guiding non-profit and commercial clients through the intricacies of local government zoning and permitting regulations. She also acts for developers on land and property acquisitions.

Contributions

Latest contributions provided by Mariah DiGrino

Global Practice Guide
Mariah DiGrino
Brian Winterhalter
Brian Hochleutner
Kyndra Joy Casper
Authored by
Mariah DiGrino, Brian Winterhalter, Brian Hochleutner, Kyndra Joy Casper
Article • Jan 2026

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Provided by Chambers

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