HB2914 EngrossedLRB101 09876 AWJ 54978 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning local government.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended  by adding 
5Section 8-1-19 as follows:
 
6    (65 ILCS 5/8-1-19  new)
7    Sec. 8-1-19. Legal expenses cap.
8    (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a 
9municipality may not incur legal expenses in excess of 
10$1,000,000 unless the electors of the municipality approve a 
11greater amount of legal expenses after a referendum under 
12subsection (b).
13    (b) Upon the adoption of an ordinance by the city council 
14of the municipality requesting a referendum to incur additional 
15legal expenses, a referendum, subject to the requirements of 
1616-7 of the Election Code, shall be placed on the ballot for 
17all electors residing in the municipality at the next general 
18election in substantially the following form:
 
19        May the (name of municipality) expend more than the 
20    $1,000,000 statutory cap on legal expenses for the 
21    (current/next) fiscal year?
 
 
 
HB2914 Engrossed- 2 -LRB101 09876 AWJ 54978 b

1    The votes shall be recorded as "Yes" or "No". 
 
2    (c) A home rule municipally may not regulate the incurring 
3of legal expenses in a manner inconsistent with this Section. 
4This Section is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 
5of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent 
6exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised 
7by the State.
8    (d) This Section does not apply to salaries and benefits 
9paid to attorneys and paralegals who are full-time or part-time 
10employees a municipality.