TWP-CONTRACTS BEYOND ELECTIONS

Amends the Township Code. Provides that a township board may not enter into or authorize an employment, equipment, or service contract, with the exception of a contract negotiated with a labor union, that would extend 90 days past the next township election. Provides that employment, equipment, or service contracts entered into or authorized in violation of the provisions are voidable. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Township Code. Provides that a township board of trustees or township official may not enter into or authorize an employment, equipment, or service contract during the 14 days before a consolidated election through the third Monday in May following the consolidated election. Provides that a township board or township official may enter into a contract that does not extend more than 60 days after the third Monday of May following the consolidated election to address an emergency. Provides that an employment, equipment, or service contract entered into or authorized in violation of the Section is voidable. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 60 ILCS 1/85-70 new Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Tourism Preservation and Sustainability District Act. Provides that hotel owners can petition a governmental unit (a municipality, county, or township) to create a tourism preservation and sustainability district if the hotel owners believe their businesses would represent more than 50% of transaction charges collected inside the district. Requires the owners to create a district plan. Provides for the governmental unit to pass a resolution of intent to create the district within 60 days after the filing of the petition if the governmental unit wants to proceed with the district. Provides that, in certain circumstances, a governmental unit must enter into an intergovernmental agreement with another governmental unit if territory of the other governmental unit is included within the territory of the district. Requires a public hearing with the opportunity for hotel owners to object to the formation. Provides that, if not enough objections are received by the governmental unit's clerk, then the governing body of the governmental unit may form the district. Provides that transaction charges (charged either on a fixed dollar or percentage rate per hotel room per night) collected by a governmental unit shall be transferred to the local tourism and convention bureau included in formation ordinance which shall use the moneys for improvements and services within the district. Includes requirements for annual reports; modification; renewal, and termination of the district; and contesting the formation of the district or transaction charges in court. Contains other provisions relating to the operation of the district. Effective immediately.