Item 4A. Rules of the Board
Superintendent's Recommendation:
MOTION TO AMEND THE RULES OF THE BOARD.
Prepared By: Eric Quiring, General Counsel
Background:
During the January 15, 2026 Board meeting, the Board proposed and discussed amendments to the Rules of the Board. In addition, during the December Board meeting, Chair Gibbs proposed changes to the Board attendance rule. As a result, the following amendments are now proposed for approval:
- Section III. Add a clause to the end of subsection A, as follows:
"No Commissioner shall serve more than two consecutive terms in any particular elected Board Officer position."
- Section III. Add a new subsection stating the following:
"D. No later than the first Board meeting in December, candidates for Office shall declare their intent to the Board."
- Section VII. Add language to the end of subsection A, as follows:
"Study Sessions shall be conducted at least twice per year, and summaries shall be accepted by the Board at its subsequent regular Board meeting."
- Section XIV. Remove language from the end of this section, as follows:
"To appropriately discharge duties and responsibilities at a consistently high level of citizen performance, it is important that all Commissioners keep currently abreast of the affairs of the Board and the Park District. Commissioners are obliged, by virtue of their office, to represent the people they have been entrusted to serve. In carrying out their responsibilities, Commissioners should make every effort to attend Board meetings and other meetings on District business as they may be called upon from time to time. Should a Commissioner be absent for three regular Board meetings held on the third Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in the Administrative Center in any calendar year, the Commissioner shall forfeit compensation for three months. All other meetings, including, but not limited to, study sessions, public hearings, emergency meetings, and special meetings shall not be considered meetings for the purpose of this Rule. Commissioners may appeal to the Board if extenuating circumstances exist. The Board is granted full discretion to reverse a loss of compensation and shall state the reasons for its decision."
These revisions are included in the attached Rules of the Board. The Legislative Procedures and Media Relations Guidelines are also attached for reference.
Relationship to the System Plan:
The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:
Goal 1: You Belong Here
Goal 2: Parks Matter
Goal 3: Lead by Example
Attachments:
Rules of the Board - 2-19-26.pdf
Rules of the Board - Legislative Procedures.pdf
