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by Peter M. Murphy
The 1980 legislative session is rapidly drawing to a close with a short veto session scheduled for November before both Houses adjourn sine die. The bienium represented by the 81st General Assembly has been a banner period for the introduction of new legislation, which as expected, substantially exceeded that of the 80th General Assembly. During the 1979 session 4,424 new pieces of legislation were introduced of which 1,339 were passed out of both houses (a rate of 30.3%). The 1980 session saw the introduction of 1,225 new bills only 336 of which were passed. The total number of bills introduced during the 81st G.A. was 5,649 with 1,675 bills being passed out of both houses (a rate of 29.6%). This passage rate points to the need for careful preparation both in the concept and drafting of legislation as well as in the effective communication of our organizations' aims and perspective to the General Assembly. The strength of our organization in this regard is growing due to the continued interest and involvement on the part of our membership. Member responsiveness to legislative developments makes all the difference. The 82nd General Assembly will convene on the second Wednesday in January and although its membership will not be determined until election day (11/4/80), now is the time for the formation of a 1981 Legislative Platform. Member park, forest preserve and conservation districts should discuss and formulate ideas for legislation that will aid and promote their responsiveness to community needs. Your input is welcomed by the IAPD office and the Joint Legislative Committee. A preliminary draft of the 1981 Legislative Platform follows: STATE 1. Statutory Amendment authorizing the refunding or payment of outstanding revenue bonds by a referendum authorized general obligation bond issue. 2. Bottle Bill legislation—deposit requirement. 3. Authorization for sale of alcoholic beverages— permissive legislation. 4. Museum tax increase—back door referendum. 5. Community Education legislation. 6. Inheritance tax—permissive legislation to keep 49% local. 7. Legislation providing for direct State aid (lottery, income tax, bottle bill operation). 8. Funding for the Open Space Lands Acquisition Act (OSLA)—provision for capital development and land acquisition. 9. Unemployment Compensation and Workers Compensation revisions. 10. Recreation tax increase—front door referendum from 121/2 cents to 35 cents. 11. Working Cash Fund—levy for not more than four years. 12. Exemption from local governments utility tax. FEDERAL 1. Park district's as direct recipients of General Revenue Sharing money. Share your thoughts on legislation for 1981 by contacting one of the following:
Peter M. Murphy, Director
Don Prindle, Commissioner
David F. Phillips, Co-chairman The IAPD/IPRA Joint Legislative Committee chaired by Don Prindle and David Phillips working in conjunction with General Counsel, Harris Fawell, deserves special recognition and thanks for the great work they did in making the 1980 session a successful one for parks and recreation. Note: Those persons interested in obtaining certified copies of bills approved by the Governor should contact: Mr. Donald Ed, Director of Index Division, Secretary of State, State Capitol Building, Springfield, Illinois 62704. There is a 50cent per page charge for these copies. STATUS OF BILLS H.B. 1800—O'Brien, el al. Amends an Act relating to alcoholic liquors to provide that alcoholic liquor may be sold or delivered in any building located on land owned by the Chicago Park District subject to the approval of the park district commissioners. (Passed both Houses—Sent to Governor, June 29, 1980) H.B. 2563—Schraeder, et al. Increases the annual homestead exemption limit from $1,500 to $3,000 for each owner occupied residential property owner for each year there is an increase in the assessed valuation of the individuals property. Requires, rather than allows, the governing authority of any taxing district, upon determination of a surplus of funds, to reduce the tax levy of such district and direct the county clerk to abate the levy of such district accordingly. (Signed by the Governor January 31, 1980—Public Act 81-1223) Illinois Parks and Recreation 14 September/October 1980
H.B. 2824—Lechowicz, et al. Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act to make an individual who voluntarily leaves his employment ineligible for benefits until he has established eligibility as a result of subsequent employment. (Passed both Houses June 26, 1980, Sent to Governor July 17, 1980) H.B. 2917—Yowell, Collins. 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 80-2nd SS6 relating to the consolidation of elections. Effective December 1, 1980. (Passed both Houses June 27, 1980) H.B. 2918—Yowell, Collins. Deletes obsolete provisions governing conduct and timing of elections of officers of units of local government and school districts which have been super-ceded by Public Act 80-936, Public Act 80-1469 and Public Act 80-2nd SS6 relating to 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. (Passed both Houses June 27, 1980) H.B. 2982—Krska. Amends Forest Preserve District Act and adds four paragraphs. For the purpose of constructing, maintaining and caring for the zoological park and the buildings and grounds thereof and of securing and displaying zoological collections, authorizes the corporate authorities of any forest preserve district to levy annually a tax of not more than .35% (change from .25%). For purposes of making capital improvements in connection with a zoological park, the corporate authorities of the forest preserve district may incur an indebtedness and issue bonds not to exceed in the aggregate $27,640,000 (change from $15,640,000). For the purpose of establishing, constructing, and maintaining any botanic garden, the corporate authorities of any forest preserve district are authorized to levy annually a tax not to exceed .15% (change from .0076%). In added paragraphs provides that for each zoological park a fund to be known as a zoological park working cash fund may be created. (Passed both Houses June 30, 1980—Sent to Governor July 21, 1980) H.B. 3099—Yourell. Amends an Act limiting the liability of landowners who make their land available for public recreational use by including lands within the limits of cities, villages and incorporated towns when the lands are natural extentions of roads, watercourses or private ways. Expands the definition of owner to include the State of Illinois, its political subdivisions and any unit of local government. (Passed the House 157-1-1; Failed on 3rd Reading in Senate 24-21-4 June 25, 1980) H.B. 3140—Pierce, et al. Amends provisions of the personal property tax replacement taxes to provide for depositing the receipts therefrom directly into the personal property tax replacement fund and clarities the formula for use of such receipts. Effective immediately. (Passed both Houses on June 25, 1980; Signed by Governor June 26, 1970—Public Act 81-1255) H.B. 3250—Donovan. Amends Workers' Compensation and Workers' Occupational Diseases Acts. Provides that minimum awards for permanent partial disabilities would be decreased by 90% and that benefits for permanent partial injuries would be frozen at the January 1, 1981 average wage. Allows Industrial Commission to appoint an impartial medical examiner when there is disagreement on medical evidence. (Passed both Houses July 2, 1980) H.B. 3229—House Committee on Elections. Amends the Election Code, the School Code, and the Public Community College Act to make changes relating to consolidation of elections and bring such acts into conformity with the consolidated schedule of elections. Effective December 1, 1980. (Passed both Houses on June 28,1980) H.B. 3289—Pierce. Amends numerous acts relating to units of local governments, school districts and community college districts to impose 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. Increase non-referendum bonding authority from .5% to .575%. Effective immediately. (Passed both Houses on June 29, 1980) H.B. 3359—Bunige. Authorizes the Department of Conservation to convey certain land in Elgin to the Sanitary District of Elgin. Effective immediately. Senate amendment #3 offered by Senator Nega amends Ch. 105, par. 113—an Act to enable park commissioners to sell land no longer needed for park purposes —the amendment raises the one acre ceiling on the transfer of such property to 3 acres. (Passed both Houses on June 27, 1980 with the inclusion of Amendment #3--Signed by Governor July 10, 1980—Public Act 81-1333) H.B. 3395—Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Provides that any property dedicated as a nature preserve within the Illinois System of Nature Preserves is encumbered by a public easement and shall be depreciated for assessment purposes to a level at which its valuation shall be $1.00 per acre or portion thereof. (Passed House 135-17-1, motion to discharge Sen. Rules failed 19-13-1) H.B. 3441—Sandquist. Amends Act relating to alcoholic liquors by exempting the Department of Conservation from the requirement of obtaining a county or local liquor license when the Department sells retail liquor in State parks. (Failed in Senate on 3rd Reading, June 25, 1980) H.B. 3535—Doyle. Amends the Chicago Park Employee's Annuity and Benefit Article of the Illinois Pension Code to extend the age from 60 to 70 years for entry into membership. Also extends the coverage for ordinary disability and duty disability benefits to age 70. (Tabled Housed Rule 68(e) July 1, 1980) H.B. 3542—Parley, et al. 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 aquariums and museums. (Passed both Houses on June 25, 1980—Sent to Governor July 17, 1980) S.B. 1955—Vadalabene. Amends Eminent Domain Act. Permits public property to be taken for just compensation by another public body under Act, provided proposed public use would be of greater benefit to the public. (Referred to Committee March 28, 1980) Illinois Parks and Recreation 15 September/October 1980 |
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