(70 ILCS 1710/36.2) (from Ch. 85, par. 1186.2)
    Sec. 36.2. There is created Southwestern Illinois Council on Economic Development as an advisory committee to the Commission. The Council shall be composed of no less than 18 members who shall be residents of the area of the Commission's jurisdiction. Members of the Council shall be representatives of business, local government, labor, agriculture, education, the unemployed and other areas of significant interest relating to economic development.
    The Council shall maintain a level of minority membership equal to or greater than the proportionate level of minority population which exists within the area of operation of the Commission.
    Council members shall be appointed by the President of the Commission with advice from the Commission's Executive Committee and the Council.
    Every member of the Council shall be appointed and serve for a term of 2 years and until his successor is appointed and qualified, said term to commence on January 1, and to terminate on December 31 of the following year; provided that to achieve staggered terms all the initial members shall be appointed on the effective date of this amendment and, as designated by the President, one-half shall serve until December 31, 1979 and one-half shall serve until December 31, 1980.
    If a vacancy occurs by death, resignation, incapacity, or for cause, the President shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term in the same manner as the member's appointment was made.
    The Council shall elect its own officers who may constitute or be a part of the Council's Executive Committee. The Council shall prepare its own bylaws defining the manner and procedure of the Council's operation.
    The Committee shall advise the Commission on matters relating to the economic development of the area of jurisdiction of the Commission and shall provide recommendations to the Commission on matters concerning the operation and management of the Southwestern Illinois Overall Economic Development Program as set forth in the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended.
(Source: P.A. 82-944.)