The Legislative Scene

By Peter M. Murphy, Legal/Legislative Counsel

1984 Session in review

The 1984 session of the Illinois General Assembly ended in a flurry of legislative activity which resulted in the passage of 432 bills and the approval of more than $17 billion in State spending for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1984.

This includes an appropriation of approximately $70,250,000 for the Department of Conservation and a $1,245,000 special appropriation earmarked for capital improvements at Touch of Nature in southern Illinois (SB 1386). The Touch of Nature appropriation marks the first time in 25 years that significant monies have been allocated for capital rehabilitation projects at that facility. SB 1386 was signed by the Governor on July 20, and may be referenced as PA 83-1230.

Other significant measures passed by the General Assembly include mandatory auto emissions testing which assures Illinois the receipt of $100 million in federal highway funds, a two-month amnesty period (October and November) for delinquent State taxpayers, creation of a Legislative Compensation Review Board, provision for an increase in the legislative district office allowance from $17,000 to $27,000 for representatives and $37,000 for senators, and the approval of HB 3128, which abolishes all single-purpose legislative study commissions.

The approval of HB 3128 will result in the elimination of 40 commissions on September 1, with the remaining seven being eliminated on March 31, 1985. It is estimated that this action will result in a $7 million savings to Illinois taxpayers. The authority to determine how and who will assume the roles of the eliminated commissions now rests with a committee comprised of the four legislative leaders of the House and Senate.

The Governor has approved farmland assessment legislation (PA 83-1124) which will, beginning with the 1984 assessment year, limit the increase or decrease in farmland assessment to 10 percent per annum. This should result in a stabilization of financial support for local governments located in predominantly rural areas.

Other significant measures passed this year include HB 2568 which increases the tax rate for the Chicago Park District's aquariums and museums from 12 percent to 15 percent, SB 1509 which provides that a new park district coterminous with the boundaries of a municipality with a population under 500 may be organized out of an existing park district upon petition and approval of such reorganization at a referendum (this measure has an automatic repealer after two years), and SB 1728 which provides that in a pleasure driveway and park district, with an appointed board of trustees, petitions for the submission of public questions shall be signed by not less than 10 percent of the number of registered voters in such district as of the last preceding regular election. This measure clears up an oversight in the Park District Code which impeded the operation of the Fox Valley Park District, the only district in the State, besides the Chicago Park District, with an appointed board.

The Illinois Association of Park District's platform received final action this session as well. Although HB 1855 was held in the Senate Rules Committee, its content—which clarified the tax exempt status of park and conservation district property—was amended onto HB 1427 by its sponsor, Representative Terry Steczo (D-Posen). HB 1427 was sent to the Governor on July 25.

One of the most exciting measures passed in the waning hours of this session was SB 1893. Designed as a funding vehicle for the expansion of McCormick Place and a feasibility study for the 1992 World's Fair, this bill also includes funding to provide for a massive renovation of the Illinois State Park system. Through the organizational efforts of Representatives Dick Mautino (D-Spring Valley) and Bob Winchester (R-Rosiclare) a 30-year, $150 million plan for down-state State parks was created to garner support for the bill's final passage. The programs will be funded through a soft drink tax, which is estimated to generate approximately $45 million annually, of which $10 million per year will go to the newly-created State Park and Conservation

Illinois Parks and Recreation 14 September/October 1984

Fund. Look for the special article on this legislation by Dr. David Kenney, director, Department of Conservation, in the next issue of Illinois Parks and Recreation.

Illinois Labor Relations Board appointed

Governor Thompson has appointed three people to the Illinois State Labor Relations Board created last fall by SB 536, which gave public employees the right to bargain collectively. The Act provides that a chairman is initially appointed for two years. The second member serves a term of three years and the third member a term of four years. All subsequent members will be appointed for four-year terms.

The new Board will be responsible for investigating and attempting to resolve or settle charges of unfair labor practices, holding hearings in order to carry out its functions, developing and effectuating appropriate impasse resolution procedures for purposes of resolving labor disputes, requiring the appearance of witnesses and the production of evidence on any matter under inquiry, and administering oaths and affirmations. The Board may also hold elections to determine whether a labor organization has majority status.

The appointees are:

Board Chairman William M. Brogan, who has been an operating engineer union official for the past 24 years. He is currently vice-president of the International Union of Operating Engineers and is the only non-lawyer on the Board. The chairmanship pays $50,000 a year.

Claire Manning, a labor relations attorney from Williamsville and the labor relations counsel for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services since February, 1980. She has served as the Department's chief labor relations' counsel for the past two years and as a board member of the Illinois Public Employer Labor Relations Association (IPELRA). She was a featured speaker at the Illinois Association of Park Districts' Collective Bargaining Seminar held in June.

The new Board will monitor labor disputes

Robert J. Milliard is a management labor lawyer and an attorney in private practice in Oak Brook. He served for 20 years as head of labor relations for American Bakeries Company. This culminated in his appointment as the industrial relations vice-president of the American Bakeries Company.

Claire Manning and Robert Hilliard will be paid $45,000 a year in their posts. Their terms will end January 26, 1987, and January 25, 1988, respectively.

Legislative platform

The IAPD/IPRA Joint Legislative Committee is currently in the process of soliciting legislative platform proposals for submission during the 1985 legislative session. This is an excellent opportunity for member park, forest preserve and conservation districts to set forth their ideas for the legislative advancement of parks and recreation in Illinois. District boards, attorneys and staff are encouraged to formulate their proposals designed to address current problems or concerns. Send them to the IAPD offices, 217 East Monroe, Springfield 62704.

More than 200 persons participated in the 7th Annual Legislators Golf Outing on Aug. 3 at the Northbrook Park District. State Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) and his father, at left, and Rep. Robert Churchill (R-Antioch) were among the golfers. The event is held to give park and recreation personnel an opportunity to visit informally with their State representatives and senators.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 15 September/October 1984