§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

The following definitions and rules of construction shall apply to this Code and to all ordinances and resolutions unless the context requires otherwise:

Generally. When provisions conflict, the specific shall prevail over the general. All provisions shall be liberally construed so that the intent of the city council may be effectuated. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language, but technical words, technical phrases and words and phrases that have acquired peculiar and appropriate meanings in law shall be construed according to such meanings.

Circuit court, court. The term "circuit court" or "court" means the Circuit Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit in and for Peoria County, Illinois.

City. The term "city" means the City of Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois.

City council, council. The terms "city council" and "council" mean the City Council of the City of Chillicothe.

Code. The term "Code" means the Chillicothe Code, as designated in section 1-1.

Computation of time. The time within which any act provided by law is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is Saturday or Sunday or is a holiday as defined or fixed in any statute now or hereafter in force in this state, and then it shall also be excluded. If the day succeeding such Saturday, Sunday or holiday is also a holiday or a Saturday or Sunday then such succeeding day shall also be excluded.

Conjunctions. In a provision involving two or more items, conditions, provisions or events, which items, conditions, provisions or events are connected by the conjunction "and," "or" or "either … or," the conjunction shall be interpreted as follows:

(1)

"And" indicates that all the connected terms, conditions, provisions or events apply.

(2)

"Or" indicates that the connected terms, conditions, provisions or events apply singly or in any combination.

(3)

"Either … or" indicates that the connected terms, conditions, provisions or events apply singly but not in combination.

Corporate authorities. The term "corporate authorities" means the mayor and aldermen.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, 65 ILCS 5/1-1-2(2).

Corporate limits, city limits. The term "corporate limits" or "city limits" means the legal boundaries of the city.

County. The term "county" means Peoria County, Illinois.

Delegation of authority. A provision that authorizes or requires a city officer or city employee to perform an act or make a decision authorizes such officer or employee to act or make a decision through subordinates.

Gender. Words of one gender include all other genders.

ILCS. The abbreviation "ILCS" refers to the Illinois Compiled Statutes, as amended. Any reference to an act by short title is a reference to such act as amended.

Includes, including. The terms "includes" and "including" are terms of enlargement and not of limitation or exclusive enumeration, and the use of the terms does not create a presumption that components not expressed are excluded.

Joint authority. A grant of authority to three or more persons as a public body confers the authority to a majority of the number of members, as fixed by statute or ordinance.

May. The term "may" is to be construed as being permissive and not mandatory.

May not. The term "may not" has a prohibitory effect.

Month. The term "month" means a calendar month.

Must. The term "must" is to be construed as being mandatory.

Number. The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular.

Oath. The term "oath" includes an affirmation.

Officers, departments, etc. References to officers, departments, boards, commissions or employees are to city officers, city departments, city boards, city commissions and city employees.

Owner. The term "owner," as applied to property, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or part of such property.

Person. The term "person" means any individual, corporation, organization, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, and any other legal entity.

Personal property. The term "personal property" means any property other than real property.

Plan commission. The term "plan commission" refers to the city's plan commission.

Premises. The term "premises," as applied to real property, includes land and structures.

Property. The term "property" means real and personal property.

Real property. The term "real property" includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.

Shall. The term "shall" is to be construed as being mandatory.

State. The term "state" means the State of Illinois.

Street. The term "street" shall be construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts and all other public ways in the city and shall include all areas thereof embraced between property lines and dedicated to the public use.

Swear. The term "swear" includes the term "affirm."

Tenant, occupant. The term "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, includes any person holding a written or oral lease or who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, either alone or with others.

Tense. The present tense includes the past and future tenses. The future tense includes the present tense.

Week. The term "week" means a period of seven consecutive days.

Wholesale dealer, wholesaler, etc. The term "wholesaler" or "wholesale dealer" means a person who sells personal property to persons who purchase for purposes of resale, as distinguished from a retail dealer who sells directly to the consumer.

Written. The term "written" includes any form of words, letters, symbols or figures.

Year. The term "year" means 12 consecutive months.

(Code 1996, § 1-3-2)

State law reference

Definitions and rules of construction applicable to statutes, 5 ILCS 70/1.01 et seq.