TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 19, 2008
COMMITTEE ON STATE LEGISLATION AND RULES
Honorable Terrence J. O’Brien, President
and Members of the Board of Commissioners
Title
Report on status of the District’s 2008 Legislative Program
Body
Dear Commissioners:
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned its 2008 spring session on Saturday, May 31, 2008. The status of the District’s 2008 program and other legislation specific to the District’s Act is as follows:
Legislative Initiative 1
Amend the District’s Act to change the titles of certain District managers and departments
Status: Passed both Houses
This legislative initiative was originally introduced in the House by Representative Kathleen Ryg as House Bill 5187 but was later amended to Senate Bill 2292, sponsored by Senator Edward Maloney in the Senate and Representative Kevin Joyce in the House. Senate Bill 2292, as amended, passed the House on May 29, 2008 by a vote of 068-040-001. The Senate concurred with Senate Bill 2292, as amended, on May 31, 2008 by a vote of 54-00-00. Subject to the approval of the Governor, this initiative will become law effective January 1, 2009.
Legislative Initiative 2
Amend the District’s Act to change the provisions for continuances, suspension of employees and petitions for re-hearings in matters before the Civil Service Board
Status: Passed both Houses
This legislative initiative was introduced in the Senate as Senate Bill 2292 by Senator Edward Maloney and passed out of the Senate on April 1, 2008 by a vote of 54-00-00. After arrival in the House, Senate Bill 2292 was amended adding two of the District’s original legislative initiatives, plus an annexation initiative originally introduced by Representative Al Riley (House Bill 2308). Added were the District’s initiative to expand the numbers of Trustees on the Retirement Board, which was originally introduced in the House as House Bill 4383, sponsored by Representative Robert Molaro and House Bill 5187, which was originally introduced in the House by Representative Kathleen Ryg as House Bill 5187. The House sponsor of Senate Bill 2292 was Representative Kevin Joyce, who passed Senate Bill 2292, as amended, out of the House on May 29, 2008 by a vote of 068-040-001. The Senate concurred with the House amendments on May 31, 2008 by a vote of 54-00-00. Subject to the approval of the Governor this initiative will become law effective on the date of signature by the Governor.
Legislative Initiative 3
Deletes a 100 year old section of the District’s Act originally enacted to protect downstream property owners from the reversal of the Chicago and Calumet River Systems
Status: Legislation Held in the House at the request of the District
This initiative was introduced in the House s House Bill 5225 by Representative Lou Lange. Due to the opposition by the Trial Lawyers Association of the total repeal of this Section of the District’s Act, it was determined by District staff that it would be in the District’s best interest to postpone pursuit of this initiative until which time pending litigation citing this section of the District’s Act is resolved.
Legislative Initiative 4
Amend the Steel Products Procurement Act, 30 ILCS 565, to clarify the definitions of stell products and exemptions allowable under the act
Status: Legislation held in the House at the request of the District
This initiative was introduced in the House by Representative Joseph Lyons as House Bill 5547. Prior to committee hearings on the Bill, it was learned that other agencies in the State had been utilizing alternative interpretations of the Steel Products Procurement Act, which if adopted by the District, would nullify the need for amending the Act. District staff has requested to postpone pursuit of this initiative as they further investigate this issue.
Legislative Initiative 5
Amend the Illinois Pension Code and District’s Retirement Fund Section to expand the number of Trustees from five to seven, including an additional employee and an appointed retiree, and to modify the terms of Trustees
Status: Passed both Houses
This legislative initiative was originally introduced in the House by Representative Robert Molaro as House Bill 4383, but was later amended to Senate Bill 2292, sponsored by Senator Edward Maloney in the Senate and Representative Kevin Joyce in the House. Senate Bill 2292, as amended, passed the House on May 29, 2008 by a vote of 068-040-001. The Senate concurred with Senate Bill 2292, as amended, on May 31, 2008 by a vote of 54-00-00. Subject to the approval of the Governor, this initiative will become law effective on the date of signature by the Governor.
Legislative Initiative 6
Amend the District’s Act to allow for the transfer on interest income into the District’s Retirement Fund
Status: Passed both Houses
This initiative was introduced in the Senate by Senator Terry Link as Senate Bill 2239 and passed out of the Senate on April 1, 2008 by a vote of 53-00-00. Senate Bill 2239 was sponsored in the House by Representative Dan Burke and passed out of the House on May 30, 2008 by a vote of 113-000-000. Subject to the approval of the Governor, this initiative will become law effective on the date of signature by the Governor.
Other District Specific Legislation
A total of three annexation Bills were introduced late in 2007 and during the spring session, which expand the District’s service area. Senate Bill 513 annexed parcels of land from Hoffman Estates into the District. Senate Bill 513 passed out of both Houses on January 10, 2008 and was signed by the Governor as Public Act 95-0716. House Bill 4167, which also annexes parcels of land from Hoffman Estates and Senate Bill 2292, which includes the annexation of parcels of land from Matteson and Olympia Fields, passed both Houses on May 23 and May 31, 2008, respectively. House Bill 4167 and the annexation elements of Senate Bill 2292 become law effective on the date of signature b the Governor.
The Illinois General Assembly stands adjourned until November 12, 2008, the first day of the fall veto session.
Respectfully Submitted, Richard Lanyon, General Superintendent, KJF:bh