§ 1-1-2 — Definitions

In this Code: (1) "Municipal" or "municipality" means a city, village, or incorporated town in the State of Illinois, but, unless the context otherwise provides, "municipal" or "municipality" does not include a township, town when used as the equivalent of a township, incorporated town that has superseded a civil township, county, school district, park district, sanitary district, or any other similar governmental district. If "municipal" or "municipality" is given a different definition in any particular Division or Section of this Act, that definition shall control in that division or Section only. (2) "Corporate authorities" means (a) the mayor and alderpersons or similar body when the reference is to cities, (b) the president and trustees or similar body when the reference is to villages or incorporated towns, and (c) the council when the reference is to municipalities under the commission form of municipal government. (3) "Electors" means persons qualified to vote for elective officers at municipal elections. (4) "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, joint stock association, or the State of Illinois or any subdivision of the State; and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative of any of those entities. (5) Except as otherwise provided by ordinance, "fiscal year" in all municipalities with fewer than 500,000 inhabitants, and "municipal year" in all municipalities, means the period elapsing (a) between general municipal elections in succeeding calendar years, or (b) if general municipal elections are held biennially, then between a general municipal election and the same day of the same month of the following calendar year, and between that day and the next succeeding general municipal election, or (c) if general municipal elections are held quadrennially, then between a general municipal election and the same day of the same month of the following calendar year, and between that day and the same day of the same month of the next following calendar year, and between the last mentioned day and the same day of the same month of the next following calendar year, and between the last mentioned day and the next succeeding general municipal election. The fiscal year of each municipality with 500,000 or more inhabitants shall commence on January 1. (6) Where reference is made to a county within which a municipality, district, area, or territory is situated, the reference is to the county within which is situated the major part of the area of that municipality, district, area, or territory, in case the municipality, district, area, or territory is situated in 2 or more counties. (7) Where reference is made for any purpose to any other Act, either specifically or generally, the reference shall be to that Act and to all amendments to that Act now in force or that may be hereafter enacted. (8) Wherever the words "city council", "alderpersons", "commissioners", or "mayor" occur, the provisions containing these words shall apply to the board of trustees, trustees, and president, respectively, of villages and incorporated towns and councilmen in cities, so far as those provisions are applicable to them. (9) The terms "special charter" and "special Act" are synonymous. (10) "General municipal election" means the biennial regularly scheduled election for the election of officers of cities, villages, and incorporated towns, as prescribed by the general election law; in the case of municipalities that elect officers annually, "general municipal election" means each regularly scheduled election for the election of officers of cities, villages, and incorporated towns.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)