[Ord. No. 63-35, 12-16-1963]
All territory in Monroe County, shall be and is hereby designated as the Monroe County Region and a planning commission is hereby created and designated as this Monroe County Regional Planning Commission. (See 55 ILCS 5/5-14001)
[Ord. No. 63-35, 12-16-1963]
The following shall be ex-officio members and their terms shall be coterminous with their terms of elected or appointed office. However, the following ex-officio members shall not be entitled to vote on any matters:
(A) 
Chairman of the County Board of Commissioners.
(B) 
County Superintendent of Highways.
(C) 
County Treasurer.
(D) 
Chairman of City or Village Planning Commissions.
(E) 
County Superintendent of Schools.
(F) 
Zoning Officer.
(G) 
County Health Director.
(H) 
State’s Attorney.
(I) 
Natural Resource Conservation Service Representative.
(J) 
Mapping and Platting Director.
(K) 
Southwestern Illinois Planning Commission Advisory.
(L) 
County Sheriff.
[Ord. No. 63-35, 12-16-1963; Ord. No. 23-14, 11-30-2023]
The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint fifteen (15) members to the Planning Commission. These members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. Terms of office shall begin on January 1st and extend to the end of their terms of office or until their successor is duly appointed and has qualified. Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
[Ord. No. 63-35, 12-16-1963]
All members of the Commission shall serve without compensation. A member of the Commission, once qualified, shall not be removed during his term of office except for cause and after a hearing held before the governing body which he was appointed. Members may receive a mileage allowance as prescribed by the County Board. The Secretary shall receive a salary as established by the County Board.
[Ord. No. 63-35, 12-16-1963]
The Commission shall elect a Chairman from its members, and such other officers as it may determine. The terms of the Chairman and other officers shall be for one (1) year, with eligibility for re-election.
[Ord. No. 63-35, 12-16-1963; Ord. No. 23-14, 11-30-2023]
The Commission shall meet as determined by the Chairman upon receipt of timely applications filed with respect to territory located within Monroe County, Illinois. All meetings shall be open to the public except for executive session.
[Ord. No. 63-35, 12-16-1963]
The Commission shall adopt by-laws, including rules for the transaction of business and shall keep a complete record of its functions and activities, which shall be a public record.
[Ord. No. 63-35, 12-16-1963]
The Planning Commission shall have the powers, duties, and functions as provided in the Illinois Regional Planning Act and to further the means and methods of operation and functioning, the Commission:
(A) 
Shall prepare and recommend to the County Board a Regional Plan, or functional segments thereof, looking to the present and future development of the Region. Such Regional Plan may include recommendations for land use, circulation, future location of planned major streets in unsubdivided land, general location of public works, urban renewal, storm or floodwater runoff channels and basins, and other such problems and development relevant to Regional Planning. Such plan shall be known as the Official Regional Plan of Monroe County. The Regional Planning Commission may thereafter, from time to time, recommend changes in such Regional Plan.
(B) 
Shall prepare and recommend to the County Board, from time to time, plans for specific improvements to promote the realization of the Regional Plan.
(C) 
Shall have access to information, reports, and data relating to planning in possession of departments of the County Government.
(D) 
May request for its information, all municipal or other governmental agency plans, zoning ordinances, official maps, building codes, subdivision regulations, or amendments or revisions of any of them, as well as copies of their special reports dealing in whole or in part with planning matters.
(E) 
Shall advise and consult with units of government concerning the relationship of any plans, projects, proposals, and policies adopted or under consideration by any such unit of government to other plans, projects, proposals and policies applicable to the Regional Planning Area.
(F) 
Shall have authority to contract with any unit of government to provide specialized planning services with appropriate reimbursement when a unit of government so desires.
(G) 
Shall prepare an annual budget in the same manner as other departments of the County. Any monies received as gifts, donations or grants from private sources for planning purposes shall be deposited in a special non-reverting fund to be available for expenditure by the Regional Planning Commission. The County Treasurer shall draw all warrants against such special non-reverting fund only upon vouchers signed by officers of the Regional Planning Commission as authorized by regulations of the Commission.
(H) 
Shall have authority, with the concurrence of the County Board to accept, receive and expend funds, grants and services from the federal government, or its agencies, and from departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of state and local governments.
(I) 
Shall have authority to provide such information and reports as may be necessary to secure financial aid.
(J) 
Shall have authority to contract with respect to any funds, grants or services from whatever source derived.
(K) 
Shall have authority to appoint an Executive Director and such other employees as it deems necessary, and engage consultants as it may require.
(L) 
Shall prepare an annual report and prepare and publish studies, reports and plans in connection with its work.
(M) 
May acquire equipment and materials for its use and incur necessary expenses within the limits of its budgets.
(N) 
May, by formal and affirmative vote, pay, within the Commission’s budget, the reasonable traveling expenses of members of the Commission, when duly authorized by the Commission, to attend planning conferences or meetings of planning institutes or hearings upon pending planning legislation, and meetings of the Planning Commission or its Executive Committee.
[Ord. No. 63-35, 12-16-1963]
The Regional Planning Commission shall serve in a general advisory capacity to the County Board and to this end, the County Clerk shall make available to the Regional Planning Commission, for its consideration, a copy of all ordinances, resolutions, plans and other data relative to capital improvements of any nature. The Commission may report in relation thereto if it deems a report necessary or advisable or when specifically requested by the County Board, for the consideration of the County Board before the final action on them is taken by the Board.