by Peter M. Murphy
Director, GovernmentServices

The Legislative Scene will be undergoing a change of format to more fully meet the needs of our membership and the challenges of a fast paced legislature. This section of the magazine will take a new direction by providing greater detail and a more in-depth analysis of pending legislation and issues which affect park, forest preserve, and conservation districts. Contributions by members of the Joint Legislative Committee and the General Counsel will appear to provide greater diversity of input in particular areas of expertise.

As Director of Government Services it is my feeling that the current status of legislation undergoes too rapid a change to be effectively addressed by our magazine and will be better served and improve our general response time by the inclusion of such information in the "Communicator." It is hoped that such change in format will also provide subscribers with the opportunity to detach the Legislative Scene article from the body of the magazine in order to fill a cumulative notebook dealing strictly with legislation.

BILLS TO FOLLOW DURING CLOSING WEEKS OF SESSION

H.B. 1800: O'Brien-Currie, Parley, Lechowicz, Marovifz and Laurino. Amends an Act relating to alcoholic liquors. Includes buildings on land owned by the Chicago Park District among the places where alcoholic liquors may be sold. June 3, 1980, favorably report out of committee.

H.B. 2824: Lechowicz-Flinn-McPike-Rayn, et al. Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act to make an individual who leaves his employment voluntarily ineligible for benefits until he has established eligibility as a result of subsequent employment. Effective immediately. May 27, 1980, First Reading, Referred to Rules.

H.B. 2917: Yourell-Collins, PW. Amends numerous Acts. Deletes obsolete provisions governing conduct and timing of referenda which have been superseded by Public Act 80-936, Public Act 80-1469 and Public Act 80-2ndSS6 relating to the consolidation of elections. Amends various provisions to conform to procedures in and to refer to, the general election law of the State. Effective December 1, 1980. May 20, 1980, Arrived Senate: Sen. Nash—Sponsor, First Reading, Assigned to Elections Committee.

H.B. 2918: Yowell-Collms, PW. Amends numerous Acts. Deletes obsolete provisions governing conduct and timing of elections of officers of units of local government and school districts, which have been superseded by Public Act 80-936, Public Act 80-1469 and Public Act 80-2ndSS6 relating to the consolidation of elections. Amends various provisions to conform to procedures in, and to refer to, the general election law of the State. Effective December 1, 1980. May 23, 1980, Arrived Senate: Sen. Rhoads—Sponsor, Placed Calendar, First Reading, Assigned to Elections Committee.

H.B. 2982: Krska, Lechowica, Terzich, Capparelli and O'Brien. Amends Act validating certain appropriations and tax levy ordinances of forest preserve districts with a population of 500,000 or more to include fiscal year 1978. Effective immediately. May 28, 1980, Recalled, Referred to Committee on Assignment—Assigned to Local Government.

H.B. 3140: Pierce-McPike-Madigan and Slope. Provides for "An Act in relation to the administration and distribution of the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund, amending or repealing certain Acts or parts of Acts herein named." Provides that all moneys received by the Department under this Act shall be paid into the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund (change from General Revenue) in the State Treasury. Amends Act in relation to state revenue sharing with local government entities relating to Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund. Provides that Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund is created as a special fund in the State Treasury into which shall be paid all revenue realized from the additional personal property tax replacement income tax imposed by subsections (c) and (d) of Section 201 of the Income Tax Act and from the additional personal property replacement invested capital tax imposed by the Gas Revenue Tax Act, the Public Utilities Revenue Act and the Water Company Invested Capital Tax Act. Provides that the portion of the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund required to be distributed as of the end of each quarter shall be the amount available in such Fund as of the end of each quarter. Specifies and describes the amount available for distribution. Adds that in counties having fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants, the amendments to this paragraph as made by this Act shall be first applicable to 1980 taxes to be collected in 1981. Repeals paragraphs on Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund in Messages Tax Act, Gas Revenue Tax Act and Public Utilities Revenue Act. Amendments 6, 7, 8 & 9 have been adopted and Bill has passed the House (157-0-0-20). Arrived Senate, First Reading, Sen. Bruce—Sponsor, Assigned to Revenue Committee.

H.B. 3289: Pierce. Amends numerous acts relating to units of local governments, school districts and community college districts to imposed certain requirements in their financial procedures in relation to such units and districts estimating and setting aside funds for debt service, pension and retirement obligations. Effective immediately. Arrived Senate, Sen. Gitz—Sponsor, Placed on Calendar for First Reading; Assigned to Revenue Committee.

H.B. 3542: Parley, Madigan, Telcser, Taylor, Abramson, Ronan, Keane and Marovifz. Amends Chicago Park District Act and Act concerning aquariums and museums in public parks. Increases tax rate limit of Chicago Park District from .60% to .66% for general purposes and from .09% to .12% for aquarium and museums. Effective immediately. June 4, 1980, Senate Local Government Committee.

See Legislation ... Page 16

Illinois Parks and Recreation 14 July/August, 1980

Illinois Parks and Recreation 15 July/August, 1980

COMMISSIONERS ARE NON-PARTISAN BUT NOT NON-POLITICAL

by Don Prindle, Chairman, and
David F. Phillips, Co-Chairman
Joint Legislative Committee

You, as an elected non-partisan Commissioner, are the biggest asset Illinois Park Districts have. While being non-partisan, we must also recognize that Commissioners cannot be non-political. The stature you have as a non-paid elected official with state and national elected officials is a kinship that must be nurtured. You as a Commissioner are entrusted by the citizens you were elected to represent, to act on their behalf in the best interests of quality parks and recreation. That message should be read loud and clear by the legislators who represent you.

Legislative initiative and contact is not a function that can be delegated to your agency's chief administrative officer. Paid staff persons should know and work with the legislators, but only supplementary to your involvement as a Commissioner. Yes, your chief administrative officer and staff should be knowledgeable and involved in the legislative process and they should help provide the data you want or need to be effective with your legislators.

Illinois Park Districts are evolving into effective representatives of the Leisure Movement on a state-wide basis, just as we have already evolved as the most effective providers of local leisure services in the United States.

House Bill 2336, which sought to abolish Park Districts, was evidence that we have not effectively communicated with our legislators. This bill, more than any other, pointed out that the voice of the Commissioner is heard, as evidenced by the three regional hearings held by the House Counties and Townships Committee. Not only must Commissioners realize the power you have, but we must realize that even more credibility is given to citizens who voluntarily step forward to voice their concerns to their legislators.

You, as a Commissioner of an Illinois Park District, must be an active participant in the legislative process. The legislative process is a tool that is used, and like any tool, can be used to help or hurt. The Illinois Leisure Movement must learn to use this tool effectively, or it will be used against us.

CORRECTION: The editors regret that in the top photo on page 12 of the May/June 1980 issue, the gentleman second from the right was incorrectly identified as Sen. George Sangmeister. The caption should have indicated that Sen. James "Pate" Philip, Elmhurst, was standing between Robert Nichols and Don Prindle.

ARMED FORCES DAY June 20

Illinois Parks and Recreation 16 July/August, 1980