IAFPD 2010 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM

NEW INITIATIVES

Amend Section 14 to include specific language for compensation or operational expenses to the allowed exemptions for accumulated funds for fire districts that are subject to PTELL.

Amend Section 4 of the Illinois Fire Protection District Act (70 ILCS 705/4) by the addition of the following:
(i) Under either of the following circumstances, a trustee may hold a position on the board of a not-for-profit corporation that is interested in a contract, work, or business of the fire protection district:

(1) If the trustee is appointed by the governing body of the district to represent the interests of the district on a not-for-profit corporation’s board, then the trustees may actively vote on matters involving either that board or the district, at any time, so long as the membership on the not-for-profit board is not a paid position, except that the trustee may be reimbursed by the not-for-profit board for expenses incurred as the result of membership on the not-for-profit board.

(2) If the trustee is not appointed to the governing body of a not-for-profit corporation by the governing body of the municipality, then the trustee may continue to serve; however, the trustee shall abstain from voting on any proposition before the district board of trustees directly involving the not-for-profit corporation and, for those matters, shall not be counted as present for the purposes of a quorum of the board of trustees.
Railroad Crossing Closings Notifications to require County Road Supervisor to notify local fire district chiefs

Create an exception for fire district trustees and volunteers on 80% participation requirement for CMS Health Care Benefits

CARRY-OVER ITEMS

Remove the Requirement to Publish Entire Budget - Amend Section 7 (70ILCS705/7) by striking the phrase “or making any appropriation”, thereby removing the requirement on fire protections to publish its entire budget. Each FPD must currently publish its budget resulting in many $1000s that could otherwise be spent on providing necessary services.

.60 Levy Authority - To add authority for a maximum corporate tax rate of .60%. Municipalities already have this authority in 65 ILCS 5/11-7-3. In PTELL counties, this would automatically bump up the maximum rate for the corporate levy to .6% under the last amendment made to PTELL [a referendum would be required, in all likelihood, to raise the limiting rate to take advantage of the .60% rate authority]. In non-PTELL counties, voters would have to approve going to .60%.

Property Tax Extension Limitation Law - Amend property tax code in regards to PTELL exemptions for-tort liability, pension contributions, risk management programs, and insurance.

Natural Gas/Utilities in HazMat/Spiller Pays – Add natural gas, gas liquids, and liquefied natural gas to the "hazardous material emergency response reimbursement act to provide for cost recovery subsequent to natural gas leaks caused by improper locating of the gas service lines or by careless actions of the contractor. Include electrical transmission. Extra ordinary expenses can also be recovered. The issue is ongoing and being addressed via ‘JULIE’ Regulations rewrite.
Amend Section 35 of the Property Tax Code to include Cook County fire protection districts in the notification of property tax appeals that exceed $100,000 and deletes a provision exempting counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants from certain notice requirements concerning tax objections.

FPD Impact Fees enacts legislation to include Fire Protection Districts as the statutory authority to implement and collect impact fees.

Increase Compensation Limits for Trustees – amend section 6 to add an additional category or increase per annum for Fire Protection Districts with more than 30 paid fire fighters.