HB2142: LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH

Legislative Summary

Amends the Emergency Services Districts Act. Provides that, if a fire protection district provides ambulance service, then an emergency services district formed and operated solely to provide ambulance service may be formed in part or in whole within that fire protection district as long as (i) the board of trustees of the fire protection district adopts a resolution to cease its tax levy for emergency ambulance service under specified provisions of the Fire Protection District Act and (ii) the emergency services district is operating an ambulance service that serves the portion of the emergency services district located in the fire protection district. In provisions concerning the notice of a petition to form an emergency services district, provides that the notice shall be published at least once each week for 2 successive weeks (rather than 2 weeks) in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the proposed district. Provides that, if there is no newspaper of general circulation in the proposed district, then a copy of the notice shall be posted in at least 10 of the most public places in the proposed district at least 10 days before the hearing (rather than requiring a copy of the notice to be posted in at least 10 of the most public places in the proposed district at least 10 days before the hearing in all circumstances). Provides that the hearing shall be held at a time that allows a referendum to create the proposed district to appear on the ballot of the next general election. Removes provisions requiring the boundaries of the proposed district to be fixed by the court at the hearing. Removes language requiring the hearing to be held within 20 days after the petition is filed with the circuit clerk. Provides that the board of trustees of an emergency services district may, among other things, provide ambulance services to the emergency services district; borrow money; mortgage, pledge, or grant a security interest in any real or personal property of the district; and buy, sell, and own real estate for the purpose associated with the operation of the emergency services district.