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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Liesje Howard, Graduate Intern
DATE: June 23, 2016
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances Entitled “Administration."
PURPOSE:
This proposed amendment is to change the membership requirements of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial (G.A.R. Post 20) Commission from members who are strictly residents of the City of Aurora, to a more regional and inclusive membership focusing on members’ active in the City.
BACKGROUND:
The current ordinance establishing the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Commission with the 9 Aurora resident members’ qualifications and responsibilities was adopted in 1969, following the City of Aurora’s commitment to make G.A.R. Post 20 a veterans’ memorial.
DISCUSSION:
The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Commission consists, by current city ordinance, of nine members “all of whom shall be residents of the city.” This restriction detracts from the Hall’s presence as a memorial to all civil war veterans. Established during the time of Reconstruction, the G.A.R was a fraternity of all Union soldiers, and interestingly, one of the first racially integrated brotherhood organizations in the United States.
The G.A.R. Post 20 was chartered in Aurora, Illinois, in 1875. Of the once 718 G.A.R. Posts in the State of Illinois, Aurora is one of only two G.A.R. Memorial Halls in the State of Illinois. This unique Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall is in honor of all Civil War Veterans and a recognition of the many national contributions of the G.A.R.
The amended ordinance will expand commission membership in scope. Two (2) members, of the (9) members, will be eligible for the commission if they reside outside of the City of Aurora and either volunteer in Aurora, work in Aurora, own a business in Aurora or are employed by a business that serves Aurora residents.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Respectfully request the proposed changes to Chapter 2 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinance entitles “Administration” be forwarded to the Tuesday, July 5, 2016 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
cc: Alderman Hart-Burns, Chairman
Alderman Bugg
Alderman Franco
Alderman Mervine, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 3 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances, Entitled "Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Commission."
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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, it is necessary and desirable to amend Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 3 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances entitled “GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMORIAL COMMISSION” to provide for the expansion of the origin of membership for the benefit of the Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, that Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 3 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances is hereby amended as follows:
Section One: That Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 3 entitled “GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMORIAL COMMISSION” shall be amended at Section 2-437(a) as follows:
ARTICLE VI. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
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DIVISION 3. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMORIAL COMMISSION
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Sec. 2-437. Members.
(a) The grand army of the republic memorial commission shall consist of not more than nine (9) members, all of whom shall be residents of the city either live in the city, work in the city, volunteer in the city, or are employed by a business that serves city residents. Of the nine (9) members, there shall be no more than twenty five percent (25%) who are not residents of the city. Each veteran association shall have the option of recommending a representative to the mayor for membership on the commission but in no event shall membership of veteran associations exceed five (5) members on the commission.
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Section Two: That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect, and shall be controlling immediately upon passage and approval.
Section Three: That all ordinances or parts of ordinances thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
Section Four: That any Section or provision of this Ordinance that is construed to be invalid or void shall not affect the remaining sections or provisions which shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.
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PASSED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, on ____________________.
AYES __________ NAYS __________ ABSENT ___________
APPROVED AND SIGNED by the Mayor of the City of Aurora, Illinois, on __________. .
______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
City Clerk
City of Aurora
Law Department
44 East Downer Place
Aurora, IL 60507