Rod Blagojevich

Governor

August 25, 2003

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate

93^rd General Assembly

Quick-take authority should be limited in scope, limited in time, limited to specific property, and confined to a public purpose.  This bill contains provisions that have raised many questions as to the appropriate use of quick-take in regards to economic development.  The provision regarding Palatine fails in this regard but I am interested in any subsequent bill regarding Palatine if it is limited to specific property with clearly defined boundaries as opposed to an entire area in a redevelopment district.

In case of the SWIDA provision, each project subject to the quick-take authority must have specific, limited and clearly defined boundaries when it is submitted for approval from the Department of Transportation.  Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 212, entitled “AN ACT in relation to local government”, with the following specific recommendations for change:

On page 4, line 18, after “2005”, by inserting “, subject to the written approval of the Illinois Secretary of Transportation based upon the overall economic development and fiscal plans and needs of the State of Illinois.” And

by deleting line 23 on page 4 through line 22 on page 5.

With these changes, Senate Bill 212 will have my approval.  I respectfully request your concurrence.

Sincerely,

Rod R. Blagojevich

Governor