(30 ILCS 375/0.01) (from Ch. 85, par. 840) Sec. 0.01. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Local Government Debt Offering Act. (Source: P.A. 86-1324.)

(30 ILCS 375/1) (from Ch. 85, par. 841) Sec. 1. It is the intent of this Act to facilitate, through State technical and advisory assistance, the marketing of local government bonds and other long-term obligations at the lowest possible net interest cost. (Source: P.A. 77-1504.)

(30 ILCS 375/2) (from Ch. 85, par. 842) Sec. 2. (a) "Local government" means a county, city, village, town, township, school district, and other special-purpose district, authority, or public corporation within the state and authorized by the state to issue bonds and other long-term obligations. (b) "Governing body" means the body or board charged with exercising the legislative authority of a local government. (c) "Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. (d) "Chief financial officer" means the comptroller, treasurer, director of finance or other local government official charged with managing the fiscal affairs of a local government official charged with managing the fiscal affairs of a local government. (e) "Bonds" means debt payable more than one year after date of issue or incurrence, issued pursuant to the laws authorizing local government borrowing. (Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(30 ILCS 375/3) (from Ch. 85, par. 843) Sec. 3. The Department is authorized and directed to provide technical and advisory assistance regarding the issuance of long-term debt to those local governments whose governing bodies request such assistance. Such assistance shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) advice on the marketing of bonds by local governments, (2) advisory review of proposed local government debt issues, including the rendering of opinions as to their legality, (3) conduct of training courses in debt management for local financial officers, and (4) promotion of the use by local government of such tools for sound financial management as adequate systems of budgeting, accounting, auditing, and reporting. (Source: P.A. 77-1504.)

(30 ILCS 375/4) (from Ch. 85, par. 844) Sec. 4. At the request of the governing body of any local government, the Department is authorized to review a proposed debt issue and to render an advisory opinion based upon the facts concerning the proposed issue. Any request for an advisory review shall be submitted to the Department in such form and with such information as the Department may require. (Source: P.A. 77-1504.)

(30 ILCS 375/5) (from Ch. 85, par. 845) Sec. 5. At the request of the governing body of any local government, the Department is authorized to direct the State Treasurer to market such local government's security offerings by preparing bond issues for sale, advertising for sealed bids, receiving bids at its offices, and making the award to the bidder that offers the most favorable terms. The State Treasurer may, at his discretion, offer for concurrent sale the bonds of several local governments. State sale of a local security offering under this Section shall in no way imply State guarantee of such debt issue. (Source: P.A. 77-1504.)

(30 ILCS 375/6) (from Ch. 85, par. 846) Sec. 6. The Department shall have the following powers and duties: (1) To require such reports from local governments as

will enable it adequately to provide the technical and advisory assistance authorized by this Act and to perform the regulatory functions required by the Act. The reports shall provide the necessary information for a complete file on local government debt, which shall be kept open for public inspection at the Department office.

(2) To encourage, conduct or participate in training

courses in debt and general fiscal management and procedures and practices for the benefit of local officials, and in connection therewith, to cooperate with associations of public officials, business and professional organizations, university faculties, or other specialists.

(3) To conduct studies in debt management, including

ways and means of appraising the terms of alternative bids. The Department may employ expert consultants to assist in such studies.

(4) To employ or contract for the services of

personnel necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, subject to the provisions of the Personnel Code.

(5) All departments, divisions, boards, bureaus,

commissions, or other agencies of the State government shall provide such assistance and information as, not inconsistent with law, the Department may require to enable it to carry out its duties under this Act.

(6) To compile and publish annually a report on its

technical assistance and advisory activities. Such report shall include detailed information on local government long-term debt issued and retired during the previous fiscal year and outstanding at the close of the previous fiscal year, and such additional statistical data on local government finances that are obtained by the Department pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 77-1504.)

(30 ILCS 375/7) (from Ch. 85, par. 847) Sec. 7. If any provision of this Act or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this Act which can be given without the invalid application or provision, and to this end the provisions of this Act are declared to be severable. (Source: P.A. 77-1504.)

(30 ILCS 375/8) (from Ch. 85, par. 848) Sec. 8. This Act does not apply to any home rule unit. (Source: P.A. 77-1504.)