SB3968 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 20711 RTM 34211 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3968

Introduced 2/6/2026, by Sen. Graciela Guzmán

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

70 ILCS 810/14	from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 6417
70 ILCS 2105/16	from Ch. 42, par. 399

Amends the Cook County Forest Preserve District Act and the River Conservancy Districts Act. Makes changes to the competitive bidding thresholds for contracts entered into by River Conservancy Districts or the Cook County Forest Preserve District for supplies, materials, or work. Changes the bid threshold to $60,000 for contracts related to supplies or materials, $30,000 for contracts involving work, or a lower amount for any contract for supplies, materials, or work, if required by board policy. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Cook County Forest Preserve District Act is amended by changing Section 14 as follows:

(70 ILCS 810/14) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 6417)

Sec. 14. The board, as corporate authority of a forest preserve district, shall have power to pass and enforce all necessary ordinances, rules and regulations for the management of the property and conduct of the business of such district. The president of such board shall have power to appoint a secretary and an assistant secretary, and treasurer and an assistant treasurer and such other officers and such employees as may be necessary, all of whom, excepting the treasurer and attorneys, shall be under civil service rules and regulations, as provided in Section 17 of this Act. The assistant secretary and assistant treasurer shall perform the duties of the secretary and treasurer, respectively, in case of death of said officers or when said officers are unable to perform the duties of their respective offices because of absence or inability to act. All contracts for supplies, material, or work involving an expenditure by forest preserve districts in excess of $60,000 for supplies or materials, $30,000 for work, or a lower amount for any contract for supplies, materials, or work, if required by board policy, shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, after due advertisement, excepting work requiring personal confidence or necessary supplies under the control of monopolies, where competitive bidding is impossible, or as otherwise provided in the Forest Preserve District and Conservation District Design-Build Authorization Act. Contracts for supplies, material or work involving an expenditure of $30,000 or less may be let without advertising for bids, but whenever practicable, at least 3 competitive bids shall be obtained before letting such contract. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, a forest preserve district may establish procedures to comply with State and federal regulations concerning affirmative action and the use of small businesses or businesses owned by minorities or women in construction and procurement contracts. All contracts for supplies, material or work shall be signed by the president of the board or by any such other officer as the board in its discretion may designate.

Salaries of employees shall be fixed by ordinance.

(Source: P.A. 102-460, eff. 6-1-22.)

Section 10. The River Conservancy Districts Act is amended by changing Section 16 as follows:

(70 ILCS 2105/16) (from Ch. 42, par. 399)

Sec. 16. All contracts for supplies, materials, or work other than professional services, to be done by such conservancy district, the expense of which will exceed $60,000 for supplies or materials and $30,000 for work other than professional services, or a lower amount for any contract for supplies, materials, or work, if required by board policy, $10,000, shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder therefor upon not less than thirty days' public notice of the terms and conditions upon which the contract is to be let, having been given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation published in said district, and the said board shall have the power and authority to reject any and all bids, and readvertise.

And in all other respects such contract shall be entered into and the performance thereof controlled by the provisions of an Act entitled "An Act concerning local improvements," approved June 14, 1897, in force July 1, 1897, and amendments thereto as nearly as may be; provided, that contracts may be let for making proper and suitable connections between the mains and outlets of the respective sewers in said district, with any conduits, main pipe or pipes that may be constructed by such conservancy district.

(Source: P.A. 101-241, eff. 8-9-19.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.