Legal/Legislative Scene

Legal/Legislative Scene

Park Legislation Passed During Veto Session

By Peter M. Murphy
IAPD General Counsel

One of the legislative platform items that was caught up in last minute maneuvering during the regular session of the General Assembly, which ended June 30, 1989, was House Bill 1287, which would have permitted increased fines for violation of park district ordinances.

This legislation was incorporated in whole by Representative Terry Steczo into Senate Bill 1161 during the Veto Session, and is currently pending Governor Thompson's approval.

Specifically, the new language provides for an increase in the Fine and Penalty section of paragraph 8-1 of the Park District Code. The legislation increases from $200 to $500 for the penalty for any one offense and allows park districts to seek in addition to or instead of fines and penalties, an order that the offender be required to make restitution for damages resulting from violations.

Total appropriations approved by Governor James R. Thompson for Illinois government in fiscal year 1990 are $24.5 billion - 7.0% over the $22.9 billion in fiscal year 1989.

Education and human services usually are the two largest recipients of funds, and this year was no exception. Education took the top spot in FY 1990 at $6.1 billion, one-fourth of the total. In FY 1988, education appropriations were also a quarter of the total, but in FY 1989 they fell to 23.1%, behind human services at 28.9%. This year human services will receive $5.9 billion, 24.2% of the total.

Gains in appropriations for education and transportation can be directly traced to two tax increases. The income tax increase will collect $363 million for education - about $258 million for elementary and secondary schools, and $105 million for universities. Motor-fuel tax increases are expected to collect $315 million in new money.

The U.S. Congress recessed sine die on Wednesday, November 22, signaling the end of the first session of the 101st Congress. Before ending, the Congress considered a number of issues, including Congressional and Executive pay increases, spending cuts, and technical amendments to nursing home reforms. The Senate passed HR 2990, the Labor, Health and Human Services and Educational Fiscal 1990 appropriations bill on Sunday, November 19 by voice vote. It included $2.62 million for special recreation grants approved by the House on October 11.

HR 2788, the Fiscal 1990 Interior Appropriations Bill, included $16,7 million for land and water conservation funds for state grants. Also included was $68.56 million for park service, LWCF.

House action on the proposed American Heritage Trust Bill, creating a dedicated fund from the current LWCF and historic preservation fund, is now anticipated during the second session of the 101st Congress. Similarly, Senate action is also anticipated during the new session started in January.

The report of AHT was filed July 17, by the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee. It is House Report 101-148.

Democratic congressional leaders have postponed action on child care legislation until next year, after failing to work out a financing compromise on bills now in conference. Key democrats would not support the GOP amendment to provide block grants to states vs. assisting day care providers with direct grants as proposed in the Act for Better Child Care Legislation. (Child care will likely be considered again.)

Illinois Parks and Recreation

January/February 1990