cover
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Law Department
DATE: August 19, 2020
SUBJECT:
Repeal of provisions of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to the former Aurora Public Library.
PURPOSE:
To remove now-obsolete language from the City Code that pertained to the City's duties with respect to the former Aurora Public Library and its Board of Trustees
BACKGROUND:
In January 2020, the City Council authorized the Aurora Public Library to organize itself into an independent taxing body under the Illinois Library District Act of 1991. The establishment of the Aurora Public Library District became effective on July 1, 2020. Prior to July 1, the Library had been managed by a board of trustees appointed by the mayor with the advice of the city council and operated under the Illinois Library Act and its predecessor statutes. Under its previous organization, the City performed various functions on behalf of the library which were reflected in the City Code. Those provisions are no longer applicable.
DISCUSSION:
Though the provisions of the City Code pertaining to the library are no longer effective, their removal is consistent with the City Council's recent focus on streamlining and modernizing the code.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Removal of these provisions carries no legal effect, however their continued inclusion in the code, which is available online, could contribute to public confusion over the relationship between the City and the Library District.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Ordinance be adopted.
cc: Rules, Administration and Procedures Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance repealing and amending various provisions of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, pertaining to the Aurora Public Library.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, prior to July 1, 2020, the Aurora Public Library was a public library established by the City of Aurora under former provision of the Illinois Municipal Code and operating in accordance with the Illinois Local Library Act; and
WHEREAS, various provisions of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, ("City Code") provided for the operation of the Aurora Public Library, appointment of its board of directors (trustees), approval of its budget, and selection of its personnel; and
WHEREAS, effective July 1, 2020, the Aurora Public Library converted into a Public Library District under the Illinois Local Library District Act of 1991; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of the Aurora Public Library District relieved the City of its duties with respect to the operation of the library as described herein; and
WHEREAS, said provisions of the City Code defining said previous duties became ineffective and obsolete on July 1, 2020;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that Chapter 24 of the City Code shall be and hereby is repealed in its entirety; and further
BE IT ORDAINED, that paragraph (b)(10) of Section 13.5-4 of the City Code shall be and hereby is amended by replacing "Professional librarians for the public library, including the library director" with the word "Reserved;" and further
BE IT ORDAINED that paragraph (f)(3)(A) of Section 2-123 of the City Code shall be and hereby is amended by deleting the words "the library budget and tax levy;"