July, 2003

The first matter of business is to extend an apology to Precision Midwest for the poor quality of their advertisements in the spring 2003 issue of the Illinois Surveyor. The 2 half page ads on page 20 and 24 should not have been screened, which resulted in the poor quality.

2003 LEGISLATIVE REPORT:
The first session of the Ninety-Third General Assembly is over. There were 2,089 Senate Bills, 3,818 House Bills, 197 Senate Resolutions, 423 House Resolutions, 38 Senate Joint Resolutions and 38 House Joint Resolutions introduced.

IPLSA Legislative Chairman Dick Rawlings, Malinda and I read the synopsis of every one of these pieces of legislation. Currently we are watching the following legislation.  The bold type indicates the final action taken.

SB0157– Amends the Plat Act.  A county may require a surveyor to provide geodetic survey horizontal control values for a minimum of 2 opposing corners of the subdivision that are permanently monumented.  Horizontal control values must be provided in the Illinois State Plane Coordinate System in the zone as defined by each county and referenced on the plat.  Each county may specify levels of positional accuracy for the horizontal control values of the subdivision corners to be measured by the surveyor. The county may also require vertical control values referenced to a statewide datum for a minimum of 2 opposing corners of the subdivision that are permanently monumented.  The bill also added language to paragraph 1, 2, 8, and 9, of part (b) of the exemptions.  IPLSA was opposed to the original bill and asked that both bills be amended.

Amendment #1 passed both in the Senate and the House. It changed the levels of positional accuracy for the horizontal control values of the subdivision corners to be measured by the surveyor; State Standards when developed shall determine those levels of accuracy.  The amendment also struck out the proposed additions to paragraph 1, 2, 8, and 9, of part (b) of the exemptions. After this bill had passed the Senate IPLSA met with the House Sponsor Brent Hassert and expressed our opposition of putting the information on the Final Plat.  A legislative sub-committee of licensed surveyors from the Northeast Chapter made up of John A. Thornhill, Jr., Russell P. Ory, Gary L. Kolba, Christopher R. Dietz, Michael E. Filipski and Thomas E. Cichowski, drafted an amendment requiring the information be put on an overlay.  Representative Hassert agreed to the amendment and it was adopted.  The bill was held on the House Floor on Second Reading but was not called before the session ended.  The bill is dead for now.

SB0171– Would allow part of the recording filing fee to defray the cost of providing electronic access to the county’s GIS records.  

SB0719, SB0720, SB0721, and SB0722 – These bills were introduced by Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. The bills are known as “shell bills” because there is no language in the bills until late in the session.  During the last days of the session SB0719 and SB0723 were amended with language to purchase certain State owned buildings.  Passed both Houses, was sent to the Governor and will become effective immediately with his signature.

SB0698 – Amends the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Act of 1989.  Amends various parts of the definition of land surveying. Adds language that will allow IDPR to have membership in a similar organization to NCEES. Adds that the Licensing Board has final recommendations of disciplinary action based on technical issues. Adds the requirement of at least 8 Licensing Board meetings per year. This bill was introduced at the request of IPLSA.  It was amended 3 times in the Senate and one time in the House.  Passed both Houses, was sent to the Governor and will become effective January 1, 2004.  The Administrative Rules of the Illinois Land Surveyors Act will have to be revised.  The definition of surveying was amended, the minimum Licensing Board meetings will be 4 and “civil” and “criminal” was added to trespass.

SB1361 – Amends the Highway Code. Changes the word approximate to exact when it comes to locations and widths of right of way for future additions to the state highway system.  Also requires the filing of an environmental impact study in the recorders office and provides that, not more than 10 years after a protected corridor is established under this Section, and not later than the expiration of each succeeding 10 year period, the Department shall hold public hearings to discuss the viability and feasibility of the protected corridor.  The Department shall give due consideration to the information obtained at the hearing and, if construction of the roadway is no longer feasible, shall abolish the protected corridor.  The bill was held in a Senate Committee and is dead at this time.

HB0494 – This was introduced with the same language as SB0157 (see SB0157) and it passed the House but was held in the Senate. The bill is dead.

HB0526. – Would allow part of the recording filing fee to defray the cost of providing electronic access to the county’s GIS records. Passed both Houses, was sent to the Governor and will become effective immediately with his signature.

HB1168 – Amends the School Code. Annexations of contiguous portion of elementary or high school district.  Contiguous means having a common border of not less than 100 linear feet.  Defines “specially qualified professional land surveyor” means a professional land surveyor whose credentials include serving or have served as a paid advisor or consultant to at least 2 of the following: any department, board, commission, authority, or other agency of the State of Illinois.  It further provides that this “specially qualified professional land surveyor” can notarize a statement. This bill was opposed by IPLSA and after meeting with Representative Robert S. Molaro (D-Chicago) who sponsored the bill he agreed not to move the bill forward. The bill is dead.

HB2299 – Amends the Municipal Code. Whenever the corporate authorities of any municipality, whether incorporated by special act or under any general law, determine that the public interest will be sub served by vacating any street or alley, or part thereof, within their jurisdiction in any incorporated area, they may vacate that street or alley, or part thereof, by an ordinance.  Adds the following: The ordinance shall provide the legal description or permanent index number of the particular parcel or parcels of property acquiring title to the vacated property.   .  Passed both Houses, was sent to the Governor and will become effective immediately with his signature.

HB3076 –Amends the Plat Act. The bill would add the following language: The recorder or register of titles shall not record or register a plat unless the plat is accompanied by the certification of the County Clerk required by Section 2.5 of this Act.  Section 2.5 would be added with the following language:  Sec. 2.5. Certification by the County Clerk. Before a plat is recorded or registered, the plat must be submitted to the County Clerk and the County Clerk must certify that no parcel contained within the plat is divided by any political subdivision or taxing district boundary.  This bill was introduced by Representative Dave Winters (R of Shirland, IL) in Winnebago County on behalf of someone in the Winnebago County Clerks Office. IPLSA is opposed to the bill and members of the Winnebago Chapter are meeting with the Clerk’s Office to see why they want this legislation.  Representative Winters agreed to hold the bill while meetings take place.  This bill was opposed by IPLSA and after meeting with Representative David Winters (R-Shirland) who sponsored the bill he agreed not to move the bill forward. The bill is dead.

HB3511 – Amends the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Act of 1989.  It removes paying compensation to members of the Land Surveyors Licensing Board for their service as Board members, but continues reimbursement to them for actual travel, incidentals, and expenses necessarily incurred in carrying out their duties as members of the Board.  It does provide that members of the Board who experience a significant financial hardship due to loss of income on days of attendance at meetings or while otherwise engaged in the business of the Board may be paid a hardship allowance, as determined by and subject to the approval of the Governor’s Travel Control Board.  This bill was not called for 3^rd reading in the House and is dead

Executive Director/Lobbyists Note:
I would like to thank IPLSA Legislative Committee Chairman Dick Rawlings, PLS for his help following the legislative activities of this session.  Also thanks to the Chapter Legislative Committee members and those who responded to the Legislative Alerts.  A special thanks to Jerry Papesh, PLS who was able to offer his influence to the legislative process. 

GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE TAKES DESIGN PROFESSION FUND MONEY:
For the second time in the History of the Design Professionals Administration and Investigation Fund, the Governor and the Legislature has taken money from the dedicated fund.  The first time they took $500,000 and this time they took $1,000,000 to help balance the State’s budget crisis.

STATE LICENSE FEES GOING UP
Anyone who wants a permit or holds a license from the state, from the local barber to the nuclear power plant operator will be asked to help fill the nearly $5 billion budget gap by paying increased fees.

LINCOLN STATUE PROJECT UPDATE:
The fundraising continues. I have raised about 70% of the money needed to complete the full-size Lincoln Surveyor Statue.  On June 3^rd I met the sculptor John McClarey at the foundry in Oregon, Illinois where he delivered the full-size clay sculpture.  We have set the unveiling for Saturday, October 4^th at New Salem, Illinois.  Mark your calendar now and join us for the unveiling, which will be held in conjunction with a weekend of Surveying with Abraham Lincoln at New Salem.  IPLSA members in period costume will depict 1830’s surveying and there will be a static display of surveying equipment. Later in the evening there will be a candle light walk through the park and the cabins will be lit by candles.

HEART OF ILLINOIS CHAPTER SEMINAR HELPS LINCOLN STATE PROJECT
On May 3^rd the Heart of Illinois Chapter sponsored a seminar on an Introduction to GPS, which was presented by Dr. Chris Pearson, NGS Illinois State Geodetic Advisor.  All the profits from the seminar were donated to the project.  The Chicago Chapter and the Northeast Chapter have also donated to the project.

UPCOMING IPLSA SEMINARS:
Several IPLSA sponsored seminars have been scheduled for this year.  Please watch the newsletter and the IPLSA website for information.  It is the goal of IPLSA to provide at least one spring and one fall seminar each year both in the northern and southern part of the state. See calendar of events in this issue of the Illinois Surveyor.

SIT/PLS REFRESHER COURSE TO BE OFFERED:
Candidates for the October 24 & 25, 2003 exams can take advantage of a refresher course presented by Roy R. Frank, Jr., PLS.  The 2-day SIT refresher course will be held August 13 & 14 and 2-day PLS refresher course will be held August 15 & 16 in Springfield.  A 1-day refresher course for the Jurisdictional Exam will held August 16.  Watch for mailing or contact IPLSA for more information.  The course is limited to 30 participants.

ILLINOIS NSPS TRIG-STAR WINNERE ANNOUNCED:
For the second time in a row a student from Champaign Central High School was named the Illinois NSPS Trig-Star Winner.  Holly Nelson, a junior was named the winner in the IPLSA East Central Chapter.  Holly was presented $100 check from Dave Phillippe, PLS for winning the chapter contest and IPLSA Executive Director Bob Church presented a $250 check for being the Illinois State winner.  The $250 came from IPLSF Foundation.  The presentations were made on May 13 during Champaign Central’s Award ceremonies.  Holly will go on to compete in the National Trig-Star Competition and the chance to win $0000. See Photo on page __.  Thanks goes out Ed Clancy, PLS for heading up the East Central Chapter Trig-Star Program.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF EXAMINERS FOR ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING
NCEES has distributed over 5,000 questionnaires as part of the land surveying Professional Activities and Knowledge Survey (PAKS).  The questionnaire asks recipients to rate the importance of statements describing tasks and knowledge required of a newly licensed land surveyor. If you receive a questionnaire please take the time to fill out and return it ASAP.