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THOMAS G. FITZSIMMONS
The Legislative Process,
Your League And Your Role

By THOMAS G. FITZSIMMONS
Executive Director

The second year of the 86th General Assembly will begin in earnest on April 17. During the ensuing eleven weeks the legislature will be in session approximately 45 days. In that small time period, many important decisions will be made on bills involving your municipality. To make an impact on those vital decisions local officials must know how the process works, how the League speaks for local interests and how you can help.

How does the legislative process work? What is the process by which a bill becomes law? How can you help in the efforts of the Illinois Municipal League to influence the outcome of legislation?

HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW

First lets follow a bill through the process from introduction to becoming a law. An excellent source for understanding this process is the following chart produced by the Illinois Legislative Research Unit. Please take some time and read through this diagram.

Diagram

April 1990 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 5


The process is essentially one of steps. The first step is bill introduction and first reading, (a bill is "read" by title only), in the original chamber. The second step is a committee hearing and vote by the committee to allow the bill to continue. If the vote is affirmative the bill is then read a second time on the floor. At this time the bill may be amended or moved onto a third reading. The third step is when a bill is read a third time, fully debated and a final vote is taken. If approved by the chamber, the bill is sent to the second chamber for consideration via the same process described above. If the bill is approved by the second chamber it is then sent to the Governor for his action. The chart details this entire process including the procedures to resolve disagreements between the House and Senate on final language and methods to respond to Gubernatorial vetoes.

LEAGUE ACTION

Throughout this legislative process, your League has been playing an active role. The League follows all bill introduction for impact on municipalities, we follow the committee process and alert you to upcoming hearings, we testify and work with the legislators on bills individually. To keep you informed, the League publishes the Legislative Bulletin on most every Friday during the legislative session. It is mailed to Mayors, Village Presidents, Managers and Clerks of municipalities over 5,000 population and members of League committees. Clerks of municipalities under 5,000 will be added on request. Others may subscribe for $50 per year. WE SUGGEST THAT THE BULLETIN BE PHOTOCOPIED WHEN IT ARRIVES SO THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS WILL HAVE A COPY ON A TIMELY BASIS, THUS ALLOWING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT.

Municipal officials around the state can be assured that through the League, the concerns of local government are being brought to the attention of the General Assembly on a daily basis. However our efforts are only a beginning. The League needs and encourages your participation.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

The Illinois Municipal League is your League. It speaks on your behalf and to be effective it needs you to take an active part. Here are some of the things you can do to help the League help you and influence the legislative process.

—Read the Legislative Bulletin and be aware of the issues being considered. If you receive the bulletin make sure copies are made for others then file the bulletin for future reference.

—Establish a dialogue on issues with your own senator and representative. Express your viewpoints and back them up with facts.

—Talk with your legislators or write them during session about bills that will be good and bad for your municipality.

—Strongly oppose bills which:

—mandate new or increased services at the local level without providing state funding to support them.

—decrease local tax revenue sources.

—Don't forget that you are part of the League; our most important lobbying effort is you. When you receive a bulletin or special alert, follow through on it. Let the League's efforts be multiplied and enforced by your actions.

—In addition to your efforts, enlist the citizens of your municipality. As taxpayers, they are the ones who will bear the burden of costly programs mandated by the state. Encourage them to support the League position.

REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENS IN SPRINGFIELD . . . has a direct bearing on your municipality . . . your programs . . . your ability to pay for costs . . . and your ability to serve your citizens. It is vitally important that the Legislature and the Governor be kept informed of the local veiwpoint. There is a lot to be done. Work with your League and through your League so we can get the job done together. Thanks for your continued support and the League looks forward to working with you in the upcoming legislative session. •

Page 6 / Illinois Municipal Review / April 1990


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