Local Government Law

(Mulroe, D-Chicago; Moffitt, R-Galesburg) requires cities and counties to allow charitable organizations to solicit funds on public roadways from passing motorists if the organizations request under this statute. Preempts home rule. Effective June 15, 2012.

(Link, D-Lincolnshire; Cassidy, D-Chicago) makes three changes to the notice and hearing procedure for a proposed property tax levy in a special service area. (1) The notice must include the proposed amount of the tax levy for the initial year. (2) The public hearing may not be held less than 60 days after the adoption of the ordinance proposing a special service area. (3) Requires notice must be given and a hearing held on the reason for the increase if the estimated special service area tax levy is more than 105% of the amount extended for special service area purposes for the preceding levy year. Exempts the initial year of the tax levy. Passed both chambers.

(Fortner, R-West Chicago; Althoff, R-Crystal Lake) extends from 2015 to 2020 of non-home rule municipalities to use sales tax proceeds for municipal operations, in addition to or in lieu of any expenditure on public infrastructure or for property tax relief. It is limited to taxes approved by referendum on or after July 14, 2010. Passed both chambers.

(Frerichs, D-Champaign; Bradley, D-Marion) extends the enterprise zones for another 25 years. The current 97 enterprise zones expire in 2013. It also created five new zones from the current River’s Edge Zones. Passed both chambers.

(Pihos, R-Glen Ellyn; Dillard, R-Westmont) makes two changes to the Open Meetings Act. (1) An agenda must set forth the general subject matter of any resolution or ordinance that will be the subject of final action at a meeting. (2) The public body must ensure that at least one copy of any notice and agenda for the meeting is continuously available for public review during the entire 48-hour period before the meeting. Posting on its website satisfies this requirement, but if a notice or agenda is not continuously available for the full 48-hour period because of events outside of the control of the public body, then that lack of availability does not invalidate any meeting or action taken at a meeting. Passed both chambers.

(Madigan, D-Chicago; Cullerton, D-Chicago) will be on the ballot this November for Illinois citizens to approve or reject. It requires a super-majority vote (3/5ths) of each chamber to the General Assembly to pass any bill that provides a “benefit increase” under any pension or retirement system of the State, unit of local government, or school district. It also requires a 2/3rd vote of each chamber to override a gubernatorial veto of a benefit increase.

(Yarbrough, D-Maywood; Althoff, R-Crystal Lake) allows recorders in counties of less than 500,000 inhabitants to electronically store recorded documents. They can do so now only if authorized by the county board. Passed both chambers.