Legislative Report

by Eugene Berghoff, Executive Vice President

The following bills have passed the 80th General Assembly and have been approved by Governor Thompson:

H.B. 1468 (Yourell, et al.) - August 11, 1978 Governor Thompson signed into law H.B. 1468 (Public Act 80-1341). This Act in making numerous amendments to Sections 9-101 through 9-107 of the "Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act" (Ch. 85 Illinois Revised Statutes 1975) has authorized park districts and other local public entities to levy a tax for the payment of insurance premiums required under the mandated Workmens Compensation Act as well as insurance to protect the entity against liability imposed under the Occupational Diseases Act. The amendments greatly broaden the purposes for which the tax may be levied.

S. B. 1667 (Glass) (Ch. 105, Par. 2-10a) - Amends Park District Code. Provides alternate transition schedule where 7 member board is created and members are elected for 4 year terms.

House Amendment No. 1 - Amends paragraph relating to annexation of additional territory. Increases size of territory which may be annexed to park district to 80 acres (now 60).

House Amendment No. 2 - Amends paragraph relating to general corporate powers. Park Districts with population less than 400,000 shall have power of condemnation under eminent domain action as to real estate outside of district. Limited to area not more than one mile outside of district.

S. B. 1528 - Amended to S. B. 1667

H. B. 2554 (Yourell, et al.) - Implements Election Consolidation Act of 1978. Amends Election Code. Contains numerous provisions relating to changes in park district election procedure. Extends the effective date of consolidation of local elections to December 1, 1980 - (original bill had 1 year extension amended by Governor Thompson to December 1, 1980. Must be approved by General Assembly, November 1978 session).

NOTE: PARK DISTRICT ELECTIONS IN 1979 WILL BE CONDUCTED ON THE SAME BASIS AS IN THE PAST.

H. B. 3111 & S. B. 1583 (Madigan) - Amends Civil Administrative Code. Provides that the Department of Registration and Education shall formulate rules and regulations relating to allocation of any funds appropriated for the purpose of contributing to support of public museums in this State. Effective immediately. $1,000,000 was appropriated to this fund. For definition of public museum rad Chapter 127, paragraph 58.37, Illinois Revised Statutes.

For information contact: Dr. A. Bruce McMillian, State Museum Director, Illinois State Museum, Spring & Edwards Streets, Springfield, IL 62706. (217) 782-3592.

S. B. 1678 (Donnewald, et al.) (Ch. 120, par. 584) -Amends Section 103 of Revenue Act. Changes assessment publication deadline dates from July 10 to August 1 in counties of less than 150,000 inhabitants and from December 15 to December 31 in counties between 150,000 and 2,000,000 inhabitants. Validates assessments in prior years when deadlines not met. Amended to S.B. 1790 and signed by Governor Thompson 8/1/78.

H.B. 2490 (Grieshemier, et al.) - Amends Game Code. Raises fee for licenses.

H. B. 2491 (Griesheimer, et al.) - Amends Fish Code. Raises State License fees and creates sportsman combination license.

PENDING LEGISLATION

H. B. 3269 (Lucco) (Ch. 105, adds par. 5-lb) -Authorizes levy of additional park district tax not to exceed .10% for general corporate purposes. Referendum. Amends Park District Code. PASSED HOUSE. SENATE RULES COMMITTEE.

H. B. 2629 (Kelly) (Ch. 120, Pars. 467.2, 467.17, 469) - Exempts from taxation imposed by "Gas Revenue Tax Act", "Public Utilities Revenue Act" and "Messages Tax Act" gross receipts from the sale of gas, electricity, or transmission of messages to units of local government or school districts. PENDING IN HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE.

H. B. 2118 (Reed, et al.) - Creates Illinois Coastal Resources Management Act. Provides for management and regulation of defined coastal zone in the State of Illinois. Establishes programs by any municipality for that portion of coastal zone under its jurisdiction. PASSED HOUSE. SECOND READING IN SENATE.

NOTE: This Bill will directly affect the jurisdiction of park districts over park district properties lying within the limits of the "coastal zone" as defined and established by statute.

H. B. 2523 (McMaster, et al.) - Act authorizes local governmental unit to levy a tax not exceed .02% to pay cost of unemployment insurance for its employees for increases mandated by statute prior to January 1, 1978. INTERIM STUDY CALENDAR, COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE IN HOUSE.

H. B. 2606 (Duester, et al.) - Amends Act relating to alcoholic liquors. Allows golf courses owned by forest preserve district to serve alcoholic liquor in connection

Illinois Parks and Recreation 8 November/December, 1978

with food serving facilities. HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE.

H. B. 3112 & 3113 (Yourell, et al.) - New act requires State to reimburse local governments for increased costs resulting from State laws enacted after January 1,1979 which require new programs or expansion of existing programs. PASSED HOUSE. SECOND READING IN SENATE.

H.B. 3182 (Mautino) - Amends Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that after December 31, 1977 term does not include employment of students during customary school vacation periods. RULES COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE.

A number of bills should be re-introduced in the 81st General Assembly, such as the following:

1. State revenue sharing for Park Districts.

2. Removing the dates from the Police Tax and Street Lighting & Paving.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 9 November/December, 1978