104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB1424

 

Introduced 1/31/2025, by Sen. Cristina Castro

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
55 ILCS 5/5-1049.2

    Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the lease of real estate is permitted when a vacant property, structure, or facility owned by the county can be used in the interest of the public or for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the county.


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A BILL FOR

 

SB1424LRB104 09945 RTM 20015 b

1    AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Counties Code is amended by changing
5Section 5-1049.2 as follows:
 
6    (55 ILCS 5/5-1049.2)
7    Sec. 5-1049.2. Lease of county property.
8    (a) The county board may lease real estate acquired or
9held by the county for any term not exceeding 99 years and may
10lease the real estate when, in the opinion of the county board,
11the real estate is no longer necessary, appropriate, required
12for the use of, profitable to, or for the best interests of the
13county. The authority to lease shall be exercised by an
14ordinance passed by three-fourths of the full county board
15then holding office, at any regular meeting or at any special
16meeting called for that purpose.
17    (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), upon three-fourths
18vote, by the full county board, the county board may lease
19farmland acquired or held by the county for any term not
20exceeding 5 years. Farmland may be leased to either public or
21private entities via a cash lease, crop-sharing arrangement,
22or custom farming arrangement. The bid process for a lease
23entered into under this subsection must be publicly advertised

 

 

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1and sealed bids must be opened at a county board meeting for
2public review. Counties shall not acquire farmland for the
3sole purpose of entering into a cash lease, crop-sharing
4arrangement, or custom farming arrangement or other
5speculative purpose.
6    (c) The lease of real estate is permitted when a vacant
7property, structure, or facility owned by the county can be
8used in the interest of the public or for the benefit and
9enjoyment of residents of the county.
10(Source: P.A. 103-415, eff. 8-4-23.)