Ask voters to expand Public Building Commission We must not circumvent the voters and tax beyond our authority. Reform is more than smaller government and removing perks. It’s also about how we do business being up-front with the people. We should go to a referendum to expand the scope of the Public Building Commission. There is a reason why the statues says....   From Illinois Complied Statues- (50 ILCS 20/4a) The purpose of a public building commission created by the county board of any county may not be expanded until the question of expanding the purpose of the public building commission has been submitted to the electors of the county at a regular election and approved by a majority of the electors voting on the question. From  Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) (50 ILCS 20/4a) (from Ch. 85, par. 1034a) Sec. 4a. A Public Building Commission may be created for the limited purpose of constructing, acquiring, enlarging, improving, repairing or replacing a specific public improvement, building or facility or a special type or class of public improvements, buildings or facilities. The provisions of Section 4 of this Act shall apply to the creation of a Public Building Commission under this Section, except that the resolution adopted by the municipality or county board and the proposition shall specify the limited purpose for which such Public Building Commission is to be created. The provisions of Section 4 authorizing any municipal corporation any part of whose area of jurisdiction lies within the territorial limits of that county seat to join in the organization of the Public Building Commission in the manner set forth in that Section shall not be applicable to a Public Building Commission created under this Section. The county board of any county that has created a public building commission for a limited and specific purpose may expand that purpose by resolution.     The purpose of a public building commission created by the county board of any county may not be expanded until the question of expanding the purpose of the public building commission has been submitted to the electors of the county at a regular election and approved by a majority of the electors voting on the question. The county board must certify the question to the proper election authority, which must submit the question at an election in accordance with the Election Code.   The election authority must record the votes as "Yes" or "No".     If a majority of the electors voting on the question vote in the affirmative, the county board may thereafter expand the purpose of the public building commission. (Source: P.A. 94-355, eff. 1-1-06.) http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=005000200K4a I understand that the current ruling determined that the Public Building Commission now has the powers. I also believe that the powers should be formerly expanded as per statue. Ask the voters FIRST to expand the Public Building Commission’s powers BEFORE proceeding to overreach its authority. We must not circumvent the voters and tax beyond our authority. Using the Public Building Commission to build courtrooms and ancillary offices I believe is the best plan for the county to comply with the Illinois Supreme Court Courtroom Standards and the American Disability Act. But to do this, we must go to the voters and get approval to expand the Public Building Commission’s powers beyond the current and original commission, which is- “the sole purpose of such Public Building Commission ... to provide a good and sufficient jail.” I believe that the Public Building Commission is the best way to address courtroom space deficiencies and ADA issues. But the ends do not justify the means. 1) Courtrooms and offices are not a jail. 2) We should to go to a referendum to the public to expand the powers of the PBC first prior to building the annex. 3) Proceeding without this is to impose a tax that we don’t have the authority to do. We are acting outside the color of law. 4) The ends don’t justify the means and it’s time to end business as usual. There is a right and proper way to do things and it’s time Rock Island County makes this REFORM also.

There is a public hearing for the proposal of building courtrooms and offices adjacent to the Justice Center. Tuesday, February 16th at 5:30 p.m. County Board Room on the third floor of the County Office Building 1504 3rd Avenue Rock Island The public may enter from the back parking lot off 4th Avenue.   Conduct of public hearings concerning the intent of the County Board to enter into a lease agreement in the principal amount not to exceed $28,000,000 between the County and the Rock Island County Public Building Commission in connection with acquiring, constructing, improving, altering, equipping, repairing, maintaining, operating and securing the Justice Center Click here to read the proposal:    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_ZSyCeFTKRsRWN2dTNHU1ZPdW8/view?pref=2&pli=1

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