[1960 Code, Sec. 1.16.010]
In order that adequate provisions be made for the preparation of a comprehensive City plan for the guidance, direction and control of the growth and development of the City, a Plan Commission, which shall be a department of the City government, is hereby created under authority of the Illinois municipal code.[1]
[1]
See 65 ILCS 5/11-12-4.
[Ord. 556, 12-2-2002]
The Plan Commission shall consist of 11 members, to include the Mayor, who shall be an ex officio member of said commission with power to vote, and 10 other members, citizens of the City, appointed by the Mayor on the basis of their particular fitness for their duty on said Plan Commission, and subject to the approval of the City Council.
Ex officio members shall serve for the term of their elective office. Of the 10 appointed citizen members, three shall serve for a period of three years, three for a period of two years, and four for a period of one year. Thereafter, such appointed citizen members shall serve for a period of three years. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired terms only, and all members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except that if the Council deems it advisable, the secretary may receive such compensation as may be fixed from time to time by said Council and provided for in the appropriation ordinance.
[1960 Code, Sec. 1.16.040]
Immediately following their appointment, the members of the Plan Commission shall meet, organize, elect such officers as it may deem necessary and adopt and later change or alter rules and regulations of organization and procedure consistent with City ordinances and state laws. The commission shall keep written records of its proceedings, which shall be open at all times to public inspection. The commission shall also file an annual report with the Mayor and Council setting forth its transactions and recommendations.
[1960 Code, Sec. 1.16.050]
Said Plan Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(A) 
Prepare and recommend to the City Council a comprehensive plan of public improvements, looking to the present and future development and growth of the City. Such a plan after its adoption by the Council will be known as the official plan of Lincoln.
Such plan shall include reasonable requirements in reference to streets, alleys and public grounds within the corporate limits and in contiguous territory outside of and distant not more than 1 1/2 miles from such limits, and not included in any other municipality, such requirements to be effective whenever such lands shall be subdivided after the adoption of such plan.
(B) 
Prepare and recommend to the City Council from time to time such changes in the plan or any part thereof as may be deemed necessary by the Council or by the Plan Commission.
(C) 
Prepare and recommend to the Council from time to time plans and/or recommendations for specific improvements in pursuance of such official plan.
(D) 
Give aid to the officials of the City charged with the direction of projects for improvements embraced within the official plan, to further the making of such improvements and generally to promote the realization of the official plan.
(E) 
Arrange and conduct any form of publicity relative to its activities for the general purpose of public understanding.
(F) 
Cooperate with municipal or regional planning commissions and other agencies or groups to further the local planning program and to assure harmonious and integrated planning for the area.
(G) 
Exercise such other powers germane to the powers granted under authority of state law.
[1960 Code, Sec. 1.16.060]
Following the adoption of an official plan in the manner prescribed by law, no map or plat of any subdivision presented for record affecting land within the corporate limits of the City or in contiguous territory outside of and distant not more than 1 1/2 miles from such limits and not included in any other municipality, shall be entitled to record or shall be valid unless the subdivision thereon shall provide for streets, alleys and public grounds in conformity with any requirements applicable thereto of such official plan.
[1960 Code, Sec. 1.16.070]
The City Clerk shall furnish the Plan Commission for its consideration a copy of all ordinances, plans and data relative to public improvements of any nature. The Plan Commission may report in relation thereto if it deems a report necessary or advisable for the consideration of the City Council.
[1960 Code, Sec. 1.16.080]
The commission may, at the discretion of the Council, employ necessary help whose salaries, wages and other necessary expenses shall be provided for by adequate appropriation made by the Council from the public funds. If the Plan Commission shall deem it advisable to secure technical advice or services, it may be done upon authority from the Council and appropriations by the Council therefor.