Illinois Code § 5-2a

§ 5-2a.

Whenever a Park District contains within the boundaries of the district, the greater portion of the area of a city, village or incorporated town, the population of which city, village or incorporated town constitutes a majority of the population of the Park District, and which city, village or incorporated town levies and collects a tax for recreation purposes under the provisions of Division 95 of Article 11 of the Illinois Municipal Code, the functions of the Playground and Recreation Commission may be merged with, and assumed by, the Park District in the following manner: The Park Commissioners shall adopt an ordinance, by a vote of not less than 2/3 of the commissioners, which ordinance shall set forth the intent of the Park District to assume the planning, establishing and maintaining of the municipal recreation program within the boundaries of the Park District, and to levy and collect a tax at a rate not to exceed that levied by the city, village, or incorporated town, which rate shall not exceed .09% of the value, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue, of all taxable property in the district for such purposes. Then the Secretary of the Park District shall mail a certified copy of the ordinance to the city, village or incorporated town. In the event the governing board of the city, village or incorporated town sees fit, they may adopt an ordinance, by a vote of not less than 2/3 of the members, which ordinance shall set forth that the city, village or incorporated town relinquishes all control and management of the planning, establishing and maintaining of the municipal recreation program within its boundaries to the Park District and relinquishes its tax levy for recreation purposes. Upon the adoption of the ordinance by the city, village or incorporated town, and 6 months from the date of adoption of the ordinance, the Park District shall assume the functions previously performed by the city, village or incorporated town through its playground and recreation commission, or other board or commission designated by the city, village or incorporated town; whereupon the Park District shall have the power and authority to levy and collect a tax of not to exceed that rate previously levied by the city, village or incorporated town for recreational purposes, the rate of tax not to exceed .09% of the value as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue, of all taxable property in the district for the purpose of planning, establishing and maintaining recreation programs, such programs to include playgrounds, community and recreation centers. The tax shall be levied and collected in like manner as the general taxes for the district. The tax to be levied under this Section shall be in addition to all other taxes authorized by law to be levied and collected in such district and shall not be included within any limitation of rate contained in this Code or any other law, but shall be excluded therefrom and be in addition thereto and in excess thereof. A Pleasure Driveway and Park District that before 1964 assumed the functions of a municipal Playground and Recreation Commission and has continuously performed those functions may levy and collect the tax authorized by this Section at a rate not to exceed 0.09% and shall not be limited to the rate previously levied by the city, village, or incorporated town for recreational purposes. The city, village or incorporated town shall thereupon, 6 months from the date of adoption of the ordinance, turn over to the Park District any and all funds and tax monies in its possession on the date upon which funds were received by it from the "Playground and Recreation Tax" and shall from time to time thereafter turn over to the Park District all such funds and tax monies as shall be received from levies adopted prior to the effective date of the merger. At such time as these funds shall be received by it, the funds are to be paid to the treasurer of the Park District and kept in a fund to be known as the "Recreational Program Fund" pursuant to the provisions of Section 5-2. (Source: P.A. 86-1037.)