Park District Calendar

Park District Calendar — 1988

Prepared by Peter M. Murphy
Legal/Legislative Counsel

The following Park District Calendar is based on a fiscal year which begins on May 1 and ends on April 30. For those park districts that have adopted another date for the commencement of the fiscal year (III. Rev. Stat., Chap. 105, Par. 4.4), this calendar must be adjusted for those duties that must be performed at times related to the fiscal year. The calendar is also established around regular park board meetings held on the third Thursday of every month.

Park District Calendar
1988

JANUARY

Annual Requirements

At the beginning of the fiscal (or calendar) year:

1. Post the date, time and place of park district regular meetings for the year. Mail copies to the news media (Chap. 102, Par. 42.02 et seq.). [All chapter references are to the Illinois Revised Statutes.]

2. Review with the park district treasurer the requirement that all funds of the district not immediately needed for disbursement must be invested within two working days at prevailing rates or better (Chap. 102, Par. 34).

3. January 5 is the last day to file objections to petitions for the submission of questions of public policy (local). Exception: proposition to create a political subdivision (Chap. 46, Sees. 10-8, 28-4).

4. January 10 is the last day for local governing boards to adopt a resolution or ordinance to allow a public question to appear on the ballot (Chap. 46, Sec. 28-2).

5. January 14 is the last day for the circuit court clerk and the local election official to certify any question of public policy to the election authority having jurisdiction over the political subdivision (Chap. 46, Sec. 28-5).

6.January 20 is the last day for the county clerk to certify to the board of election commissioners any referenda to be submitted to the voters in its jurisdiction (Chap. 46, Sec. 28-5).

7. January 21 is the date of the first regular meeting of the park board. Review the requirement that every person, other than the treasurer, receiving money for the district must keep a triplicate record of the money, and deliver the money to the treasurer not later than the middle of the month following the month of receipt (Chap. 102, Par. 20).

8. January 31 is the last day for filing the annual Certificate of Status of Real Estate to continue the exemption of park property from real estate taxes for the taxable year 1988 (Chap. 120, Sec. 500).

FEBRUARY

9. Economic Disclosure Statements — Certified List — The Governmental Ethics Act requires the secretary of the park district to certify to the Secretary of State a list of the names and residence addresses of those persons required to file statements of economic interest. The list must be certified not less than 60 days before the May 1 due date for filing the statements, and a copy should be filed with the county clerk. This requirement is found in Chap. 127, Par. 604A-106, which provides in pertinent part as follows:

"Not less than 60 days before the due date for filing such statements, annually, (1) . . . (2) the clerk or secretary of each school district, unit of local government, special district or other governmental entity described in items (g), (h) and (i) of Section 4A-101 shall certify to the Secretary of State a list of the names and residence addresses of such persons described in these items (g), (h) and (i) as are required to file because of their relationship to the entity represented by the clerk or secretary. In preparing such lists, each such clerk or secretary shall set out the names in alphabetical order, by county or residence, and shall file a copy of such list with the appropriate county clerk."

Persons required to file Economic Disclosure Statements are:

• persons who are elected to an office in a unit of local government, and

• persons who are employed by any unit of local government, and are compensated for services as employees, and not as independent contractors at the rate of $35,000 per year or more, and other persons so employed who are compensated at a rate of less than $35,000 per year for such employment, if they receive fees for professional services rendered for the State or any unit of local government or school district in such an amount that their total income for public employment, including such fees, is $35,000 per year or more.

10. February 14 is the first day for the election authority to publish a notice of any question of public policy to be voted upon within its jurisdiction (Chap. 46, Sec. 12-5).

11. February 18 is a regular board meeting date.

MARCH

12. A good month to check zoning changes and annexations by cities or villages within the district boundaries. (Cities and villages must publish a new zoning map by March 31 of each year, if there have been any changes in the boundaries of zoning districts, and furnish a copy of the map upon request.) (Chap. 24, Par. 11-13-19).

13. March 5 is the last day for the election authority to publish a notice of any question of public policy to be voted upon within its jurisdiction (Chap. 46, Sec. 12-5).

14. March 14 is the last day for any registered voter presently within the confines of the United States, who expects to be absent from his county of residence on election day, to make application in person to the election authority or approved local election official for an official ballot (Chap. 46, Sec. 19-2).

15. March 15 is the General Primary Election.

16. March 17 is a regular board meeting date.

APRIL

17. April 14 is the suggested date to prepare the budget and appropriation ordinance in tentative form, and place on file for public inspection at least 30 days prior to final action. (All park districts are required to adopt a combined budget and appropriation ordinance within or before the first quarter of each fiscal year.) (Chap. 105, Par. 4-4).

18. April 20 — attend the Annual Legislative Conference and Reception (Ramada Renaissance, Springfield).

19. April 21 is a regular board meeting date.

20. April 30 (the last day of the fiscal year of the park district) is the time for the treasurer to initiate preparation of the annual statement of receipts and disbursements, which must be filed in the office of the county clerk and published within six months after the expiration of the fiscal year (Chap. 102, Pars. 5 and 6). Review provisions of Public Act 84-640.

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MAY

21. May 1 is the last date for filing Statements of Economic Interest for persons who have not previously filed during the calendar year. (Applies to elected officials and salaried employees compensated at $35,000 or more.) (Public Act 83-1330).

22. May 1 (beginning of new fiscal year) is the date to post the dates, times and place of park district regular meetings for the fiscal year — mail copies to news media (or this can be done at beginning of calendar year). (Chap. 102, Par. 42.02, et seq.).

23. May 1 is the date to start the annual audit. Every governmental unit is required to make an annual audit to cover the immediately preceding fiscal year. The audit must "be completed and the audit report filed with the Comptroller within six months after the close of the fiscal year . . ." Also, file a copy of the completed report with the county clerk (Chap. 85, Pars. 702 and 703).

Note: Any governmental unit appropriating less than $200,000 is required to file a financial report with the Comptroller in lieu of an audit.

Any governmental unit appropriating $200,000 or more shall, in addition to complying with the audit requirements, file a financial report on forms required by the Comptroller (Chap. 85, Par. 703).

24. May 1 is the date to send notice to Illinois Department of Labor requesting determination of current prevailing rate of wages for district's area (Chap. 48, Par. 39s-4).

25. May 9 is the suggested date to publish notice of public hearing on the budget and appropriation ordinance (at least seven days prior to hearing). (Chap. 105, Par. 4-4).

26. May 17-18 — Attend the Partners In Conservation Conference in Springfield.

27. May 19 (regular May meeting) is the suggested date to hold the public hearing on the budget and appropriation ordinance, and, following the hearing, enact that ordinance at the board meeting following the hearing (Chap. 105, Par. 4-4).

Note 1: The budget and appropriation ordinance must be made available in tentative form for public inspection at least 30 days prior to final action thereon.

Note 2: All taxing districts are now required to file a certified copy of their budget and appropriation ordinances with the county clerk within 30 days of adoption, as well as an estimate, certified by the district's chief fiscal officer, of revenues, by source, anticipated to be received by the taxing district in the following fiscal year. Failure of a district to file the required document will authorize the county clerk to refuse to extend the tax levy imposed by the governing authority until such documents are filed (Chap. 120, Par. 643 — Public Act 83-881).

28. May 19 is the suggested date for the board to estimate the funds to be raised by the tax levy ordinance, and to determine whether the funds to be raised exceed, by more than 105 percent, the amount extended or estimated to be extended upon the levy of the preceding year. (This determination must be made at least 20 days prior to enactment of the levy ordinance.) (Chap. 120, Pars. 864 and 866).

Note 1: The Truth in Taxation public hearing can be held at the same time as the budget and appropriation hearing (Chap. 120, Par. 866).

Note 2: It is recommended that the park district attorney review all determinations and proceedings relating to this reference, which is The Truth in Taxation Act (Chap. 120, Par. 861 et seq.).

JUNE

29. June 6 is the suggested date to publish notice of hearing (Truth in Taxation Act) if the district's proposed levy is greater than 105 percent of last year's extension or estimated extension — must publish not less than seven, nor more than 14, days prior to hearing. June 6 publication date assumes a hearing date of June 13 to June 20, 1988 — be sure to check special publication requirements found in the statute (Chap. 120, Par. 841 et seq. - Also Public Act 82-760).

Note: Notice of public hearing must now include the commonly known name of the taxing district. Further, any notice which includes information substantially in excess of that specified and required by the Act shall be considered an invalid notice (Public Act 83-881).

30. June 16 (regular June board meeting) is the suggested date to hold hearing pursuant to Truth in Taxation Act (Chap. 120, Par. 641 et seq.).

31. June 16 is the suggested date to enact tax levy ordinance at regular meeting following The Truth in Taxation Act hearing (Chap. 105, Par. 5-1).

32. June 18 is the last day for filing a copy of the district's budget and appropriation ordinance with the county clerk, as well as a certified estimate of revenue by source anticipated to be received in the following fiscal year (assuming a passage/adoption date of May 19).

33. June 23 is the first day notice of intention to file a petition to create a political subdivision whose officers are to be elected, rather than appointed, may be published in a newspaper within the proposed political subdivision, or if none, in a newspaper of general circulation within the proposed territory (Chap. 46, Par. 28-2).

Note: If initial officers are to be elected at the election for creation of a new unit of government, candidates for such offices shall file nomination petitions 78 to 71 days before such election (Chap. 46, Par. 10-6).

34. June 30 is the last day to: (a) determine prevailing rate of wages, (b) post rate schedule for inspection, and (c) file certified copy of determination with Secretary of State (Chap. 48, Par. 39s-9).

Note: Pursuant to Par. 39s-4 of Chap. 48, a park district may request the Department of Labor to ascertain the prevailing rate of wages.

JULY

35. July 1 (if levy ordinance was enacted on June 16, 1988) is the last day to publish notice if levy amounts as enacted exceed prior published figures, or if levy exceeds 105 percent of last year's extension and there was not prior publication. (Notice must be given within 15 days of the date the levy ordinance was enacted.) (Chap. 120, Par. 867).

36. July 21 is the regular board meeting date.

37. July 22 - Attend the Legislative Golf Outing (Bensenville Park District, White Pines Golf Course).

38. July 23 is the last day to file a petition to create a political subdivision with the appropriate circuit court clerk (Chap. 46, Par. 28-2).

Note 1: Objections may be filed on or before the date of the hearing with the appropriate circuit court clerk.

Note 2: The circuit court clerk shall publish the hearing date for a public policy election filed in his/her office not later than 14 days after the petition is actually filed, but at least 5 days before actual hearing (final order within 7 days of hearing). (Chap. 46, Sec. 28-4).

Note 3: If initial officers are to be elected at the election for creation of a new unit of government, candidates for such offices shall file nomination papers 78 to 71 days before such election.

39. July 23 is the last day notice ot intention to file a petition to create a political subdivision, whose officers are to be elected rather than appointed, may be published in a newspaper within the proposed political subdivision, or if none, in a newspaper of general circulation within the proposed territory (Chap. 46, Sec. 28-2).

40. July 30 is the last date to publish determination of prevailing rate of wages

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(if determination was made by the district and not the Department of Labor), and mail copies of rates to requesting parties. (Publication must be within 30 days of date of filing with Secretary of State — see item 24, supra.) (Chap. 48, Par. 39s-9).

AUGUST

41. August 1 — Nominations to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Board are accepted between August 1 and September 15 (Chap. 108 1/2, Par. 7-175).

42. August 18 (regular board meeting) is the suggested date to complete and record all annexations to the district (prior to filing levy ordinance with county clerk).

43. August 22 is the first day for filing of petitions for park commissioners (new district).

44. August 22 is the last day for filing petitions for referenda for the submission of questions of public policy (local). (Except: proposition to create a political subdivision.) (Chap. 46, Sees. 28-2, 28-6, 28-7).

45. August 25 is the suggested date to confirm that a certified copy of the levy ordinance was properly filed with the county clerk. Chapter 105, Par. 5-1, requires that a certified copy of the levy ordinance be filed with the county clerk not later than the third Tuesday in September each year.

46. August 29 is the last day for filing of petitions for park commissioner (new district).

47. August 29 is the last day to file objections to petitions for referenda for the submission of questions of public policy (local). (Except: proposition to create a political subdivision.) (Chap. 46, Sees. 10-8, 28-4).

SEPTEMBER

48. September 3 — Attend the Legislative Tailgate (Illinois vs. Washington State).

49. September 4 is the last day for local governing boards to adopt a resolution or ordinance to place a question of public policy (referenda) on the ballot (Chap. 46, Sec. 28-2).

50. September 8 is the last day for the circuit court clerk and the local election official to certify any question of public policy to the election authority having jurisdiction over the political subdivision (Chap. 46, Sec. 28-5).

51. September 15 is the regular board meeting.

52. September 20 is the last day to: (a) file certified copy of tax levy ordinance with county clerk (Chap. 105, Par. 5-1), and (b) file board president's Certificate of Compliance with county clerk (Chap. 120, Par. 868).

53. September 29 — Attend the IAPD Legal Symposium.

54. September 30 is the last day to file State and Local Government Information (EEO-4) EEOC form 164 with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (report documents sex, race and salary data for employees).

OCTOBER

55. October 6 is the suggested date to review documents to determine which records can be destroyed — permission of Local Records Commission required (Chap. 116, Par. 43.101 et seq.).

56. October 7-11 - Attend the NRPA Congress (Indianapolis).

57. October 17 is the first day for local election officials to conduct in-person absentee voting (Chap. 46, Sec. 19-2.1).

58. October 20 is a regular board meeting. Review nonreferendum bonding needs preparatory to selling bonds before close of calendar year (Chap. 105, Par. 6-4).

59. October 29 is the last day for the election authority to publish a notice of any question of public policy to be voted upon within its jurisdiction (Chap. 46, Sec. 12-5).

60. October 31 is the last date to file annual audit report with the comptroller of the State of Illinois and county clerk (within six months of close of fiscal year.) (Chap. 85, Pars. 702, 706).

61. October 31 is the last date to publish annual statement of receipts and disbursements, and file a copy with the county clerk — for districts on a May 1 - April 30 fiscal year. (Must be accomplished within six months of close of fiscal year.) (Chap. 102, Par. 5).

NOVEMBER

62. November 7 is the last day for any registered voter, presently within the confines of the United States, who expects to be absent from his county of residence on election day, to make application in person to the election authority or approved local election official for an official ballot (Chap, 46, Sec. 19-2).

63. November 8 is the date of the General Election (referenda only).

64. November 17 is the regular board meeting. Suggested date to enact bond ordinance for nonreferendum bonds to be issued prior to the end of calendar year (Chap. 105, Par. 6-4).

DECEMBER

65. December 2 is the suggested date to verify that, for real estate acquired in 1988, appropriate petitions have been filed to exempt from real estate taxes (Chap. 120, Par, 500).

66. December 10 is the suggested date to (a) make petitions available to candidates for park board for April 4, 1989, election — petitions must be filed not more than 78 nor less than 71 days prior to election (January 19-26, 1989). (Chap. 46, Sec. 10-6, Chap. 105, Sec. 2-11); (b) advise news media of board positions to be filled at election, candidate filing requirements and availability of petitions at park office (not required by statute).

67. December 14 is the suggested date to prepare and file with the Supervisor of Assessments the Annual Certification Status of Exempt Property for 1989. (Last day for filing is January 31, 1989.) (Chap. 120, Par. 500).

68. December 15 is the regular December board meeting. Suggested date for board to approve schedule of regular meetings for 1989; post and mail to news media (or this can be done at beginning of fiscal year). (Chap. 102, Par. 42.02).

69. December 30 is the last day to file bond ordinance with county clerk in order to receive extensions of taxes for bond repayment in 1989.

JANUARY 1989

70. January 11 — Newly elected members of the General Assembly shall convene and organize their respective chambers (III. Const., Art. IV, Sees. 5, 6(b)).

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