AISWCD RESOLUTION 2007-5

Pursuit of an Attorney or Attorneys

WHEREAS, The Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a public body, corporate and politic, and works with the general public on a daily basis.

WHEREAS,  The Illinois Attorney General’s Office is over worked and not always available to answer questions in a timely manner.

WHEREAS,  The SWCD’s are more often dealing with legal issues requiring legal council, such as: Freedom Of Information Act requests, the Open Meetings Act, General Elections and Personnel issues.

WHEREAS,  Soil & Water Conservation Districts need to have legal advice from an attorney  well versed in the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act, District activities and other laws that apply to public bodies, thereby avoiding additional legal fees for researching  the SWCD background.

THEREFORE, let it be resolved that the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts actively pursue an attorney or attorneys and charged by the attorney or attorney’s, knowledgeable in public body matters, for the use of the SWCD’s throughout the State of Illinois. The attorney or attorneys would be available to answer legal questions routed through the Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, if the association is not able to answer internally.  Fees charged by the attorney or attorneys would be based upon a schedule pre-negotiated by the Association and be paid by the requesting District.

Approved by DeWitt County SWCD, March 2007

Approved by  Land Use Council #6, June 6, 2007

Not Approved by Legislative Committee: June 11, 2007

Not Approved by Resolution Committee: June 11, 2007

Not Approved by AISWCD Board: June 12, 2007

Resolution 2007-5 PASSED with Amendments on July 30, 2007