101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB2914

 

Introduced , by Rep. Thaddeus Jones

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
65 ILCS 5/8-1-19 new

    Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality may not incur legal expenses in excess of $1,000,000 unless the electors of the municipality approve a greater amount of legal expenses after a referendum after adoption of an ordinance requesting the referendum. Limits home rule powers. Exempts full-time and part-time employees.


LRB101 09876 AWJ 54978 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
HOME RULE NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2914LRB101 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- 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.