The Legislative Platform for park, forest preserve
and conservation districts is designed to address the
most pressing concerns and needs of these local
governments. The following recommendations for
legislative reform represent the culmination of the
efforts and input by elected board members, their
legal counsel and professional staff. After many
months of exploring and researching issues, we are
giving these proposals our highest priority and
respect fully present them to the members of the 86th
General Assembly.
H.B. 1148 STECZO-KIRKLAND
Amends the Public Library District
Act and the Park District Code. Requires both types
of district to file certified copies of tax levy
ordinances on or before the third (now, the fourth
in the case of public library districts) Tuesday of
December (now, September for both types district).
H.B. 1149 STECZO-WENNLUND
Amends the Park District Code,
Provides a residency requirement of one year for any
person wishing to be a park commissioner.
H.B. 1150 STECZO
Amends the Park District Code to
increase the territory which can be annexed by a
park district if wholly bounded by one or more park
districts from 80 acres to 200 acres.
H.B. 1287 STECZO-PARKE
Amends the Park District Code.
Provides that restitution may be sought in addition
or instead of a fine for violation of ordinances.
Provides for an increase in the maximum allowable
fine from $200 to $500.
H.B. 1288 STECZO-CURRIE
Amends the Real Estate Transfer
Tax Act and the State Finance Act. Increases the
transfer tax from 25 cents to 50 cents per $500 value of
property. Provides that, of the total proceeds from
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the tax, 50% shall be deposited in the General
Revenue Fund, 35% shall be deposited in the Open
Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund for
grants by the Department of Conservation to local
governments, and 15% shall be deposited in the
Natural Areas Acquisition Fund for acquisition and
preservation of natural areas by the Department.
Effective immediately.
H.B. 1305 PARKE
Amends the Park District Code
to allow multi-year contracts for professional
services.
H.B. 2292 SIEBEN
Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law.
Specifies that park, forest preserve and conservation
districts shall not be required to levy for road and
bridge purposes in order to qualify for an allotment
from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund. Specifies that the
president of a park district, forest preserve district
or conservation district shall act as highway
commissioner for the purpose of receiving and
disbursing funds allotted pursuant to the Act.
Effective immediately.
S.B. 494 HOLMBERG ET AL
Amends tax increment allocation
redevelopment section of the Municipal Code;
requires prior approval of a project by the city and
a joint review board on which there are representatives of local school districts, park districts, library
districts and county in which proposed projects will
be situated.
S.B. 599 BARKHAUSEN
Amends Revenue Estate Transfer
Tax and state finance acts; increases transfer tax
from 25 cents to 50 cents per $500 property value; 50% of new
money goes to general revenue fund; 35% to Open
Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund;
15% to Natural Areas Acquisition Fund.
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