New Illinois Laws 2020: Local Government

Open Meetings Act Training (HB 814) - Municipal officials may satisfy training requirements of the Open Meetings Act by in-person trainings sponsored or conducted by the Illinois Municipal League.

Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act (HB 938) - Changes the Municipal Code to allow the proceeds of a sales tax imposed by a non-Home Rule Municipality to be used for municipal operations through July 1, 2030, opposed to December 31, 2020.

Local Liquor Referendum Exemption (HB 3604) - Allows the University of Chicago to sell liquor at its new hotel and conference center, preempting a 1950s referendum for a dry campus.

Drainage Districts Dissolution (SB 90) - Creates a new process for dissolving drainage districts via resolution or ordinance if the municipalities within the region of the drainage district and the county are in agreement; certain requirements need to be met.

Metro-East Sanitary District Act (SB 584) - Makes changes to the Metro-East Sanitary District Act including the residency requirements for commissioners and the removal process.

Public Aid Code-Food Pantries (SB 640) - Clarifies language to the Public Aid Code authorizing townships to provide and administer food pantry programs as part of their general assistance programming.

Highway Code Commissioner (SB 765) - Allows a township to appoint a non-resident highway commissioner.

County-Remove Imminent Hazard (SB 1114) - Would allow a county to bring an action for immediate injunctive relief, without bond, if the county finds an imminent hazard to public health or safety from an unfit condition, such as unhealthy accumulation or concentration of hazardous or unhealthy substance or materials.

Adult Entertainment (SB 1580) - Allows counties to regulate businesses that involve nudity and sexual activities.

Downstate Forest Preserve District (SB 1651) - Expands a Forest Preserve District's ability to grant licenses and easements to also include licenses and easements for renewable energy resources.

FOIA Public Body Credit Cards (SB 1712) - Exempts credit card, bank account and other confidential account numbers from FOIA requests.

Local Government Accounting Standards (SB 1806) - Provides clean up language regarding local government accounting standards.

Raffles-Law Enforcement Agency (SB 1917) - Allows local law enforcement associations to get licenses for raffles and poker runs.

Source: Illinois State Democrats