Local Government

Amends the Counties Code. In provisions concerning county law libraries, provides that county law libraries shall be open whenever the courthouse is open, unless the law library is closed based on operational necessity or as determined by the county board. Authorizes other appropriate county offices (rather than only the county treasurer) to retain fees and charges of the clerk in a County Law Library Fund and disburse those funds when ordered to do so.

HB 2137 makes a technical amendment to the Economic Development Project Area Tax Increment Allocation Act of 1995. This bill specifically modifies a section related to the short title of that existing act.

Amends the Park District Code. Provides that, prior to the submission of a petition to separate territory from a park district, the governing board of the park district may, at its discretion, adopt, by ordinance, a determination to waive the full payment of any unpaid park district assessments outstanding at the time the petition is submitted. Specifies that, if this waiver is adopted by park district ordinance, the county clerk or county clerks shall certify the petition for disconnection of the property identified in the petition without requiring the payment of any assessments that have been waived.

Amends the Township Code. In a provision that authorizes a township board to provide for the cutting of weeds or grass, the trimming of trees or bushes, the removal of nuisance bushes or trees, or the maintenance of a retention pond or detention pond on any real estate in areas within the township, specifies that the required 7-day advance notice to the property owner may be served by certified mail, by personal service, or by posting the notice on the property in a prominent location.

Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that the board of trustees of a fire protection district may, by majority vote of the board of trustees, adopt a resolution to transfer moneys from the fire protection district's ambulance service fund to another fund controlled by the fire protection district if (1) the fire protection district has not approved another transfer from the fire protection district's ambulance service fund under the provisions in the same year; (2) the moneys remaining in the fire protection district's ambulance service fund after the transfer are sufficient to pay for the remaining obligations and costs payable from the district's ambulance service fund in the current and subsequent fiscal years; and (3) the transfer does not impair the fire protection district's finances or public safety mission, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services, ambulance services, rescue services, fire suppression services, or any other public safety endeavor established by the fire protection district. Effective immediately.