Legal/Legislative Scene
IAPD Legislative Initiative Pays Big Dividends
OSLAD/LWCF Grants Announced

By Peter M. Murphy
IAPD General Counsel

On January 20, 1994, Governor Jim Edgar announced more than $9.2 million in grants for 60 projects throughout the state to acquire and enhance park lands for Illinoisans.

Seventeen acquisition projects and 43 development projects will be funded by $8.3 million in state Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants and $900,000 in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants. The programs are administered by the Department of Conservation, and the funds must be used for parks and outdoor recreation projects.

Nearly 600 acres of land will be acquired through the grants, including more than 430 acres of natural areas. Twenty-one of the development projects create totally new recreational facilities for their communities.

Both grant programs provide up to 50 percent reimbursement of eligible costs incurred by local governments for approved recreational land acquisition and development work. As a result, the total commitment toward outdoor enjoyment is more than $18.4 million this year.

OSLAD has been in existence since 1986 and, including the grants announced this January, has provided $42 million for local park projects. The program is funded by a dedicated percentage of the real estate transfer tax as the result of the passage of legislation by dedicating these monies for the acquisition and development of open space for park and recreation purposes.

Financed through federal funds, LWCF has been in existence since 1965 and has made $ 132.4 million available for state and local park projects in Illinois.

Maximum grant awards are $400,000 for acquisition projects and $200,000 for development projects. Twenty-four of the projects received the maximum amount for either acquisition or development.

To qualify for a grant from either program, an agency must show a need for the project and the ability to carry it through to completion. Other factors include the agency's record in maintaining its other facilities, the degree of local planning involved and the project's ability to address regional and statewide outdoor recreation priorities.

Park, forest preserves and conservation districts interested in applying for grants for the coming year must submit applications by July 1.

Program information and grant forms are available by contacting the Illinois Association of Park Districts or the Department of Conservation, Division of Grant Administration, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, Illinois, 62701-1787 or by calling 217/782-748l.TDD 217/782-9175.

A list of IAPD member grant recipients, funding amounts and project descriptions follows.

Arlington Heights Park District, $200,000, to develop an outdoor athletic field complex consisting of four lighted soccer/ball fields. Support facilities include restrooms, parking, bleachers and benches.

Belvidere Park District, $200,000, to develop a 7-acre riverfront property with a fully accessible fishing pier, boat docks, picnic shelters with tables, a playground and about 1,000 linear feet of recreation pathway to connect with the existing 1.5- mile pathway system and bridge spanning the Kishwaukee River,

Chicago Park District, $400,000, to acquire 2.3 acres to develop a network of three neighborhood parks. These parks will improve recreational opportunities for both the North Kenwood and Oakland communities on Chicago's south side. The parks are approximately 1/4 mile apart.

Cook County Forest Preserve District, $400,000, to acquire 16.54 acres of land adjacent to the district's McGinnis Slough Preserve. The parcel is an important link to the 285-acre Tampier Lake Greenway. Cook County Forest Preserve District, $200,000 to renovate Whelan Pool and the existing bath house. The pool will be renovated with a zero-depth feature to

10* Illinois Parks & Recreation* January/February 1994

Legal/Legislative Scene

make it accessible to people of all abilities.

Crystal Lake Park District, $200,000, to develop Lippold Park with a restroom facility, water well, electrical service, driving range and baseball field lighting, a picnic shelter and landscaping.

Downers Grove Park District, $200,000, to develop a passive/active community park with play equipment, picnic shelters, a walking/jogging trail, multi-purpose playfields, ice skating ponds and a sled hill.

Dundee Township Park District, $400,000, to acquire 50 wooded acres in Carpentersville for the purposes of preserving and interpreting the site and developing hiking/cross-country skiing trails.

Glen EUyn Park District, $50,000, to develop new fully accessible playgrounds in both Ackerman and Newton parks.

Hoffman Estates Park District, $258,300, to acquire an additional 11 acres to create a 27-acre community park site. The two parcels will be developed with baseball and soccer fields, picnic shelters, a bike trail, playground, basketball and tennis courts and a fishing pier.

Forest Preserve District of Kane County $400,000, to acquire an 85-acre parcel containing a wetland, an oak woodland and Kenyon Lake.

Forest Preserve District of Kane County, $190,000, to develop the Mill Race Preserve with a canoe launch, fishing facilities, interpretive trails, nature observation stations, a shelter with restrooms, ice skating and a pathway connection with the Fox River Trail in Carpentersville.

Kankakee Valley Park District (Aroma Park), $78,800, to construct playground equipment, pathway, pavilions, picnic tables and benches on both the north and south sides of the Kankakee River in Goselin Park and Railroad Bridge Park,

Lombard Park District, $60,000, to acquire 20.5 acres adjacent to 7.5 acres currently owned by the district to preserve and restore the existing wetlands and prairie.

McHenry County Conservation District, $125,000, to acquire 60.9 acres to expand and protect the Elizabeth Lake Bog, and Illinois State Nature Preserve. The property is home to two state endangered species and four state threatened species.

Midlothian Park District, $130,000, to acquire an existing privately owned outdoor swimming pool complex known as Mid-Oaks Pool. The district plans to add a tot lot, sand volleyball and horseshoe courts to the facility.

Morton Grove Park District, $143,800, to develop and renovate facilities at Mansfield Park. Two baseball fields will be renovated with backstops, benches, bleachers and new infields. New development includes a fully accessible play area, an interior jogging path, court game area, lighting, fencing, landscaping and approximately 1/4 mile of bike routing to nearby Linne Woods Forest Preserve.

Oak Lawn Park District, $400,000, to acquire a high quality 12.83-acre natural area site which contains mesic prairies and several rare plant and animal species.

River Forest Park District, $400,000, to acquire a 2.6-acre parcel for use as park land and recreational space. The project is a cooperative effort between the park district and the Village of River Forest.

Village of River Forest, $400,000, to acquire a 5.5-acre parcel for park land and recreational space. The project is a joint effort between the village and the River Forest Park District.

River Trails Park District (Mount Prospect), $200,000, to develop four tennis courts, a picnic area, a fully accessible play area, baseball fields, sand volleyball courts, picnic shelter and a walking/jogging path at Sycamore Trails Park.

Rockford Park District, $400,000, to acquire 70.3 acres in the village of Cherry Valley which will serve as the primary community park for the southeast suburban Rockford area.

Schaumburg Park District, $200,000, to develop Odium neighborhood park with two tennis courts, a fully accessible playground, a picnic shelter, a soccer field, baseball field, and a fully accessible nature path with habitat restoration plantings and a small observation deck.

Springfield Park District, $52,000, to acquire a 10-acre east side site which will be developed with passive recreation facilities to promote conservation and environmental education.

St. Charles Park District, $200,000, to develop a new community park west of Randall Road with four softball/baseball fields, a shelter with restrooms, a fully accessible tot lot, four tennis courts, two basketball courts, an ice rink, three volleyball courts and two soccer fields. Tinley Park District, $150,000, to renovate a wetland area and install a boardwalk and pathway to permit access into the area. The project also includes the development of a playground, basketball court, sand volleyball area and security lighting.

Tremont Park District, $29,800, to install a basketball court, a walking trail and resurface the parking lot at Cullinan Park. Urbana Park District, $200,000, to expand the Anita Purves Nature Center with additional classrooms and display areas, a nature observation area, restrooms and other related facility improvements. The center is located in Urbana's Crystal Lake Park adjacent to Busey Woods. Warrenville Park District, $68,100, to develop the District's first neighborhood park with a playground, a picnic shelter, basketball court, paved pathways and landscaping.

Wheeling Park District, $200,000, to develop Childerley Park with passive outdoor recreation facilities including picnic groves, shelters, fully accessible playground equipment, sand volleyball courts, biking/jogging paths, restroom facilities, lighting and parking. Forest Preserve District of Will County, $102,500, to develop an area of Hickory Creek Forest Preserve with a picnic grove and shelter, latrine, well, and a fully accessible 1/2-mile connecting path to the Old Plank Road Trail in Mokena. Winnebago County Forest Preserve District, $190,000, to acquire 186 acres which will protect endangered species, including the creek heelsplitter (mussel) and the Iowa darter (fish). In addition, four endangered species of birds will be protected, including the black-crowned night heron, osprey, Cooper's hawk and sandhill crane.

Illinois Parks & Recreation * January/February 1994 * 11

The following Park District Calendar is based on a fiscal year which begins on May and ends on April 30. For those park districts that have adopted another date or the commencement of the fiscal year (70 ILCS 120514-4), 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 each month.

For purposes of this calendar, "Election Authority" means the County Clerk, a City Board of Election Commissioners or a County Board of Election Commissioners; "Local Election Official" means the Clerk or Secretary of a local government.

JANUARY 1994
Annual Requirements

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

1. Post the date, time and place of park district regular meetings for the year. Mail copies to the news media. (30 ILCS 120/2.02) (All references are to the Illinois Compiled 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. (30 ILCS 225/1)

3. 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. (30 ILCS 20/1)

January 3 — Last day to file objections to petitions for the submission of questions of public policy.

January 10 — Last day for local governing boards to adopt a resolution or ordinance to allow questions of pub-

lic policy as authorized by law to appear on the ballot. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

January 13 — 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. (10 ILCS 5/28-5)

January 13 — Attend the IAPD/ IPRA Park and Recreation Conference at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare.
January 20 is the regular January board meeting date.

January 31 is the last day for filling the annual Certificate of Status of Real Estate to continue the exemption of park property from real estate taxes for the taxable year 1994.

FEBRUARY -1994
February 1 — On or before February 1 annually, the chief administrative officer unit of local government employing persons described in items (i) and (k) of Section 4A-101 shall certify to the clerk or secretary of the unit of local government the names and mailing addresses of those persons, who shall then certify to the appropriate county clerk a list of names and addresses of persons described in items (i) and (k) of Section 4A-101 that are required to file because of their relationship to the entity represented by the clerk or secretary.

In preparing the lists, each clerk or secretary shall set out the names in alphabetical order by county of residence, and shall send a list of persons required to file to the county clerks of the counties in which those persons reside, or if any person resides outside of Illinois, to the county clerk of the county in which the principal office of the unit of government with which the person is associated is located.

On or before April 1 annually, the county clerk of each county shall notify all persons whose names have been certified to him other than candidates for office who have filed their statements with their nominating petitions, of the requirements for filing statements of economic interests.

Public Act 88-187 requires the following persons to file verified written statements of economic interests:

1. Persons who are elected to office in a unit of local government, and candidates for nomination or election to that office.

2. Persons appointed to the governing board of a unit of local government and persons appointed to a board or commission of a unit of local government.

3. Persons who are employed by a unit of local government and are compensated for services as employees and not as independent contractors and who:

a. are, or function as, the head of a department, division, bureau, authority or other administrative unit within the unit of local government, or who exercise similar authority within the

12* Illinois Parks & Recreation* January/February 1994

unit of local government;

b. have direct supervisory authority over, or direct responsibility for the formulation, negotiation, issuance or execution of contracts entered into by the unit of local government in the amount of $1,000 or greater;

c. have authority to approve licenses and permits by the unit of local government;

d. adjudicate, arbitrate or decide any judicial or administrative proceeding, or review the adjudication, arbitration or decision of any judicial or administrative proceeding within the authority of the unit of local government;

e. have authority to issue or promulgate rules and regulations within areas under the authority of the unit of local government; or

f. have supervisory responsibility for 20 or more employees of the unit of local government.

Failure to file a statement of economic interests within the time prescribed shall not result in a fine or ineligibility for, or forfeiture of, office or position of employment, provided that the failure to file results from not being included for notification by the appropriate agency, clerk, secretary, officer or unit of government, and that a statement is filed within 30 days of actual notice of the failure to file.

All statements of economic interests filed under this shall be available for examination and copying by the public at all reasonable times.

Any person required to file a statement of economic interests under this Article who willfully files a false or incomplete statement shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Failure to file a statement within the time prescribed shall result in ineligibility for, or forfeiture of, office or position of employment, as the case may be; provided, however, that if the notice of failure to file a statement of economic interests provided is not given by the county clerk, no forfeiture shall result if a statement is filed within 30 days of actual notice of the failure to file.

February 13 — First day for the election authority to publish a notice of any question of public policy to be voted upon within its jurisdiction. (10 ´ILCS 5/ 12-5)

February 17 is the regular February board meeting date.

February 25 — Attend the IAPD workshop, "Construction Issues — Protecting the Public Owner from Contractor Claims," at the Northbrook Park District.
MARCH -1994
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.) (65 ´ILCS 5/11-13-19)

March 5 — Last day for the election authority to publish a notice of any question of public policy to be voted upon within its jurisdiction. (10 ILCS 5/12-5)

March 15 — General Primary Election.
March 17 is the regular March board meeting date.

APRIL -1994
April 7 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.) (70 ILCS 1205/4-4)

April 21 is the regular April board meeting date.

MAY -1994
May 1 is the last date for filing Statements of Economic Interest for persons who have not previously filed during the calendar year. (Public Act 88-187)

May 1 is the date to send notice to the Illinois Department of Labor requesting determination of current prevailing rate of wages for the district's area. (820 ´ILCS 130/4)

May 1 (beginning of new fiscal year) is the date to post the dates, times and places of park district regular meetings for the fiscal year. Mail copies to news media (in the alternative this can be done at the beginning of the calendar year). (5 ILCS 120/1.02)

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."

All governmental units are also required to file a copy of the completed report with the county clerk. (702 and 703 ILCS)

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. (50 ILCS 310/3)

May 4 — Attend the IAPD Legislative Conference is Springfield.
May 4 is the suggested date to publish notice of public hearing on the budget and appropriation ordinance (at least seven days prior to hearing). (70 ILCS 1205/44)

Illinois Parks* Recreation* January/February 1994* 13

Legal Calendar

May 19 is the regular May board meeting date. This is the suggested date to hold the public hearing on the budget and appropriation ordinance and the date for enacting the ordinance at the board meeting following the hearing. (70 ILCS 1205/4-4)

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. (35 ILCS 205/162)

JUNE -1994
June 16 is the regular June board meeting date.

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. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

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. (10 ILCS 5/10-6)

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 follow- ing fiscal year (assuming a passage adoption date of May 19).

June 30 is the last day to: (a) determine prevailing rate of wages, (b) post the rate schedule for inspection, and (c) file certified copy of determination with Secretary of State. (820 ILCS 130/9)

NOTE: Pursuant to 820 ILCS 130/4, a park district may request the Department of Labor to ascertain the prevailing rate of wages.

JULY -1994
July 21 is the regular July board meeting date.

July 23 is the last 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. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

July 25 is the last day to file petition (must contain original sheets signed by voters and circulators) to create a political subdivision with the appropriate officer or board. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

NOTE: Objections can be filed on or before the date of the hearing with the appropriate circuit court clerk. (10 ILCS 5/28-4)

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 papers 78 to 71 days before such election.

NOTE: The circuit court clerk shall publish the hearing date for a public policy petition filed in his/her office not later than 14 days after the petition is actually filed, but at least five days before actual hearing. (Final order within seven days of hearing.)

July 22 — Attend the Legislative Golf Outing (Bensenville Park District, White Pines Golf Course).
July 30 is the last date to publish determination of prevailing rate of wages (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.) (820 ILCS 130/9)

AUGUST -1994
August 1 is the date nominations for the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Board are to be made. (Between August 1 and September 15.) (40 ILCS 5/7-175)

August 1 is the last day to file objections to petitions to create a political subdivision in the office of the election authority. (10 ILCS 5/28-4)

August 13 — Attend Local Officials Day at the Illinois State Fair, Springfield.
August 22 is the last day for filing petitions (must contain original sheets signed by voters and circulators) for referenda for the submission of questions of public policy (local). (EXCEPTION:

Proposition to create a political subdivision.) (See reference)

August 18 is the regular August board meeting date.

August 23 is the last day to file objections to petitions for the submission of questions of public policy. (EXCEPTION: Proposition to create a political subdivision.) (10 ILCS 5/10-8,28-4)

August 29 — Last day to file objections to petitions for the submission of questions of public policy. (Exception: proposition to create a political subdivision.) (10 ILCS 5/10-8,28-4)

14* Illinois Parks & Recreation * January/February 1994

Legal Calendar

SEPTEMBER -1994
September 6 is the last day for local governing boards to adopt a resolution or ordinance to allow a question of public policy to appear on the ballot. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

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. (10 ILCS 5/28-5)

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. (10 ILCS 5/28-5)

September 8 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. (10 ILCS 5/28-5)

September 15 is the regular September board meeting date.

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 rate for employees.)

OCTOBER-1994
October 1 is the suggested date to review documents to determine which records can be destroyed—permission of Local Records Commission required. (50 ILCS 205/1)

October 9 — Last day for newspaper publication of notice of the General Election. (10 ILCS 5/12-1)

October 12-16 Attend the NRPA Congress (Minneapolis, Minnesota).
October 15 is the last day for election authority to supply absentee ballot materials to local election officials who conduct in-person absentee voting. (10 ILCS 5/ 19-2-1)

October 17 is the first day for local election officials to conduct in-person absentee voting. (10 ILCS 5/19-2.1)

October 20 is the regular October board meeting date. Review non-referendum bonding needs preparatory to selling bonds before close of calendar year. (70 ILCS 1205/6-4)

October 20 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.) (35 ILCS 215/4 and 6)

NOTE 1: Public Act 86-957 passed by the General Assembly in 1989 makes a number of changes to the Truth in Taxation Act including a change in the content of the notice provisions.

NOTE 2: New legislation requires that all local governments file either certificate of compliance or a certificate indicating the inapplicability of the Truth in Taxation Act with the county clerk.

NOTE 3: It is recommended that the park district attorney review all determinations and proceedings relating to this reference, which is the Truth in Taxation Act. (35 ILCS 215 I/et. seq.)

October 23 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. (10 ILCS 5/ 12-5)

October 29 — Last day for the election authority to publish a notice of any question of public policy to be voted upon within its jurisdiction. (10 ILCS 5/12-5)

October 31 is the last day 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.) (30 ILCS 15/1)

October 31 is the last day to file annual audit report with the Comptroller of the State of Illinois and county clerk (within six months of close of fiscal year). (50 ILCS 310/2 and 6)

NOVEMBER -1994
November 8 — General Election.
November 9 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 more than 14 days, nor less than 7 days prior to the date of the public hearing. November 9 publication date assumes a hearing date of November 16- 23, 1994 — be sure to check special publication requirements found in statute. (35 ILCS 215/1)

NOTE: Notice of public hearing must now include the commonly known name of the taxing district. Further, any notice which includes information in excess of that specified and required by the Act shall be considered an invalid notice.

November 17 is the regular November board meeting date and the suggested date to hold a hearing pursuant to the Truth in Taxation Act. (35 ILCS 215/1)

November 17 is the suggested date to enact tax levy ordinance at the regular meeting following the Truth in Taxation hearing (if required).

November—Attend the IAPD Legal Symposium at McDonald's Corporate Center, Oak Brook.
Illinois Parks & Recreation* January/February 1994* 15

Legal Calendar

DECEMBER -1994
December 1 is the suggested date to verify that, for real estate acquired in 1993, appropriate petitions have been filed to exempt from real estate taxes. (35 ILCS 205/19)

December 2 (if levy ordinance was enacted on Nov. 17,1994) 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.) (35 ILCS 215/7)

December 7 is the suggested date to confirm that a certified copy of the levy ordinance was properly filed with the county clerk. 70 ILCS 1205/5-1, requires that a certified copy of the levy ordinance be filed with the county clerk not later than the last Tuesday in December each year.

December 15 is the regular December board meeting date and suggested date to enact bond ordinance for non-referendum bonds to be issued prior to the end of calendar year. (70 ILCS 1205/6-4)

December 27 is the last day to (a) file certified copy of tax levy ordinance with county clerk (70 ILCS 1205/5-1), and (b) file board president's Certificate of Compliance with county clerk. (35 ILCS 215/ 9.1) (See Public Act 87-17)

NOTE: State statute requires that all local governments file either certificate of compliance or a certificate indicating the inapplicability of the Truth in Taxation Act with the County Clerk.

December 30 is the suggested date to prepare and file with the supervisor of Assessments the Annual Certification status of Exempt Property for 1995. (Last

day for filing is January 31, 1995.) (35 ILCS 205/19)

December 30 is the last day to file bond ordinance with county clerk in order to receive extensions of taxes for bond repayment in 1995.

JANUARY -1995
January 9 — First day of term of office for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer and Comptroller. (111. Const., Art. V, Sec. 2)

January 11 — Newly elected members of the General Assembly shall convene and organize their respective chambers. (111. Const., Art. IV, Sees. 5,6(b))

January 26-29 — Attend the IAPD/ IPRA Park and Recreation Conference at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
PERFORMANCE REQUIRED ANNUALLY
1. The American Flag must be displayed and flown each day of the week from each City Hall or Village Hall and Village Square and at the principal entrance to all public parks. (5 ILCS 465/ 36)

2. Those park districts that have elected to place their employees under social security must send in contributions at such times as may be designated by the State Social Security Agency. (40 ILCS 5/7-132 and 7-172)

3. Contributions to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund must be deducted each pay period from covered employee's pay and remitted to the Retirement Board along with the contribution to the municipality. This requirement is mandatory for municipalities over 5,000 population where Social Security is not provided, and elective for others. (40 ILCS 5/7-132 and 7-172)

PERFORMANCE REQUIRED EVERY SIX MONTHS
Unpublished written minutes of all closed meetings are to be reviewed not less than semiannually. Minutes are to be reviewed to determine if (a) the need for confidentiality still exists as to all or part of those minutes, or (b) if the minutes or portions thereof no longer require confidential treatment and are available for public inspection. The results of the review are to be reported in the open session of the Board of Commissioners. (5 ILCS 120/2.06)

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR 1994 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Both the House and Senate have again adopted a schedule which calls for final adjournment of the Spring Session on Friday, May 27 — a full month ahead of the traditional adjournment date. A similar schedule in 1993 failed to materialize.

Prior to reconvening of the Spring Session on March 2 for the Governor's Budget message, the House will hold perfunctory sessions on January 26 and February 2, 9, 16 and 23 for introduction of bills and other procedural matters. We will issue reports on those days if volume and importance warrants your attention.

After March 2, the House has tentative plans to hold regular session on:

March 3 and 11 (perfunctory sessions), March 17-18 and March 22-24.

April 5-8, 11-15, 19-22,25-28.

May 3-6, 9-13, 16-27.

The Senate has no plans to convene at all until March 2 and will have a perfunctory session on March 4, which is its deadline for introduction of bills for the 1994 Spring Session.

The remainder of the Senate schedule for March is March 17-18, 22-24 and 29-31.

April 11-15,18-22,26-28.

May 3-6,10-13,16-27.

16* Illinois Parks & Recreation* January/February 1994