Frequently Asked
Questions
Government
Community Development
Do I live "in" a local government?
Yes! In fact, most of you live in several units of local
government, such as a county, township, school district, special taxing
districts, and a village.
What is a county?
A county is an administrative unit of government
responsible for transportation, environmental protection, and taxation
for all or part of a major part of a metropolitan area. Many counties
have taken on new responsibilities of an urban character, often in
response to federal grant programs and regulations and unfunded state
mandates.
What is a township?
A township is an administrative unit of government six
miles square containing 36 sections, each of one-square mile. Its
government has three prime responsibilities - providing general
assistance, maintaining roads, and assessing property values for tax
purposes. Additional responsibilities can include public transportation,
activities for senior citizens, counseling, and youth programs.
What is Municipal Government?
All municipalities in Illinois are either cities or
villages. Most municipalities operate under a standard aldermanic-city
form or trustee-village form. There are simple variations possible under
these standard forms, such as the number of members of a legislative
body, the terms of office, and minority representation. The State
statutes also provide three more complicated variations which may be
adopted by cities or villages desiring the possible advantages which
each has to offer. These variations are the "commission form", the
"manager form", and the "strong mayor form". Each form provides its own
rules for the selection and type of officers, their powers and
responsibilities, and the general operations of government.
Aldermanic-City Form
Under the aldermanic-city form, the legislative body
ordinarily consists of two aldermen from each ward elected for a
four-year term. Their terms are staggered so that half are elected
every two years. The number of aldermen elected depends upon the
population of the city. The mayor is the chief executive officer of
the municipality. The mayor, city clerk, and city treasurer are
elected at large (Village or citywide) to a four-year term. Other
offices and vacancies are filled by appointment by the mayor with the
advice and consent of the council, although it may be provided by
ordinance that these offices be filled by election.
Trustee-Village Form
Under the trustee-village form, the legislative body
consists of six trustees, generally elected from the village at large.
The number of trustees does not vary with the size of the
municipality. Villages of over 25,000 population may have each of the
six trustees elected by district instead of from the village.
The village president and clerk are elected at large,
but the village treasurer is appointed. The term of the president,
trustees, and clerk is four years, unless reduced to two years by
referendum. As with the mayor in the aldermanic-city form, the
appointments to all nonelective offices are made by the president with
the advice and consent of the board of trustees. If the village
collector is appointed, the village board may provide by ordinance
that the elected village clerk also hold the office of village
collector.
Commission Form
The commission form of government is limited to cities
or villages under 200,000 population. Under this form, the voters
elect at large a mayor and four commissioners who serve as the
council. At the first regular meeting after an election, the council
designates each member to be either the commissioner of accounts and
finances, public health and safety, streets and public improvements,
or public property. The mayor serves as commissioner of public
affairs. The council may elect the clerk and treasurer, as well as all
the other officers whose appointment is not delegated, as it may be,
to one commissioner. Each commissioner is given executive control over
such administrative departments as may be assigned to him. By
referendum, the electors may provide for the election of commissioners
to specific departments.
Manager Form
The manager form of government is available to all
municipalities under 500,000 in population. The municipality may
retain its governmental structure as an aldermanic-city form,
trustee-village form, or commission form while adopting the features
of the manager form.
Under this form, the power of the council or board is
purely legislative, except that it is empowered to approve all
expenses and liabilities of the municipality. The manager is the
administrative and executive head of the government for some purposes.
The manager appoints and removes all officers not required to be
elected. The appointment to most boards, commissions, and other
municipal agencies resides in the mayor or president subject to
council or board confirmation.
Strong Mayor Form
This form of government has an elected mayor, clerk,
and treasurer and, depending upon the size of the community, from
eight to twenty aldermen elected from wards. The terms of elected
officials are four years. The functions of an ordinary mayor are
generally merged with the powers accorded a municipal manager. The
mayor is given the power, without council approval, to appoint and
remove his administrative assistants, budget and finance director,
heads of all departments, and all other officers of the municipality,
and members of commissions, boards, and agencies, except those covered
by civil service. The powers of the council are purely legislative.
Administrative Form
This "form" of government is not specifically
sanctioned by statute but is in use in a number of municipalities. It
may be used in all but the manager form of government. It is not
really a "form" of government but rather a legislative device adopted
by municipalities which seek a full-time administrator without the
permanency of the manager form of government. Under this system, a
municipality creates by ordinance the office or employment of
"administrator" and endows such an office or employment with certain
administrative powers. The administrator may be made the
administrative head of all departments and may be given any power not
specifically granted to another person by statute. The administrator
may be appointed for a term or hired by contract, or his employment
may be for an unspecified period. In any case, he may be removed like
any other officer or employee subject to the payment of any valid
remaining portion of his contract. This system of government allows
for a full-time administrator to conduct the day-to-day operations of
a community armed with as much or as little power as the corporate
authorities may from time to time provide by ordinance.
How long is a building permit valid?
Work authorized by a permit must begin within six months of the date
of the permit and be completed within one year of permit approval.
Work extending beyond these time frames requires the issuance of a new
permit.
What is the purpose of the refundable bond?
The bond provides an incentive to complete the work in the manner it
was approved and to have the work inspected as required. A $35.00
fee will be deducted from the bond for each failed inspection.
When can I expect the bond to be refunded?
The Department will begin processing the refund as soon as the final
inspection is approved. Generally, it takes three to five weeks
for the refund to reach you.
Who is JULIE?
JULIE stands for "Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators."
Upon receiving your call, JULIE will visit your property and mark the
location of non-Village underground utilities. Call JULIE toll
free at (800) 892-0123.
Does the Village locate its underground utilities?
The Village Engineering Department [(630) 372-4270] and Public Works
Department [(630) 372-4440] will locate underground Village utilities
including sewer and water mains and electrical cables for street lights.
A friend of mine is going to build my shed, deck, etc. Must he
be registered with the Village?
Yes. Anyone, other than the property owner, who is doing work
on a project requiring a building permit, even without compensation,
must be registered and bonded as a contractor.
What is a "stop work" order?
A "stop work" order is issued for jobs that are not being completed
in accordance with the approved plans or for jobs that were started
without a permit.
What if I want to make changes to my plans as work on the project
progresses?
Be sure to obtain permission from the Community Development
Department prior to making any changes to the approved permit plans.
What do I do with the permit placard I was given?
The permit placard should be displayed in a window of your home so it
is visible from the street.
What inspections are required?
Inspections are listed in the handouts and on the permit.
What's the difference between the plan review fee and the permit
fee?
The plan review fee covers the cost of reviewing the plan for
compliance with village codes. The permit fee covers the cost of
inspecting the improvement.
Village of Hanover Park
2121 West Lake Street
Hanover Park, IL 60133
(630) 372-4200
Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday, 8:00 am - 7:30 pm
All information © 2008 Village of Hanover Park, Illinois
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