Sign Usage Ordinance 18-08

Marion Park District has adopted the following Sign Usage Ordinance 18-08 effective November 27, 2018.

MARION PARK DISTRICT
ORDINANCE NO. 18-08

WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners finds and determines it is in the best interest of the Park District and its residents, to regulate the placement of advertisements and signs; and

WHEREAS, the Governmental Purpose behind the Park District is to provide a safe and aesthetic recreational venue

WHEREAS, The placement of signs has become more and more of a problem in that they make mowing, weed eating, and other maintenance more difficult and expensive; and

WHEREAS, the placement of signs having grown more prevalent has created additional trash and debris; and

WHEREAS, Signs take up space, obstruct views, distract motorists and pedestrians, displace alternative land uses; and

WHEREAS, signs are not all promptly removed creating an additional burden upon the District; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the District to ban all unapproved signs whether for yard sales, auctions, political campaigns, retail sales, or marketing of any kind and nothing herein should be construed in a manner which violates free speech.

WHEREAS, for the purpose of this ordinance a political campaign sign shall mean any sign, flag, poster, or banner supporting or opposing a candidate for public office or supporting or opposing a political party or question of public policy.

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the District to remove any and all signs from District Property, without notice.

NOW, THEREFORE, The Board of Commissioners of the Marion Park District, Marion, Illinois, Hereby Ordains as Follows:

Signs on District Property-

No person shall place any signs on Park District property without prior written authorization. Said authorization shall only be issued by the Park District in connection with an event for which proper registration has been made with the District. Signs placed on Park District property without prior written authorization shall be removed without notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing set forth herein shall limit any individual or political candidate, candidate’s committee, political party, or political action committee from licensing or renting any facility of the District for any event, political event, fundraiser, or similar event, so long as it comports with the rules, ordinances, and other guidelines of the District, on the same terms available to the general public, or from displaying signs, distributing handbills, and promoting a political candidate on the day of the event within the room or other licensed or rented area of the facility where the event is held, nor shall the District be prohibited from hosting polling places for any elections or allowing the accompanying signage authorized under Section 17-29 of the Election Code. However, in no event may a person conduct any electioneering or solicitation in violation of 10 ILCS 5/7-41(c).

Penalty –

Any person violating or disobeying any clauses or provision of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, is subject to immediate ejection from District property, is subject to banishment for a length of time to be determined by the Board, or the Marion Police Department based upon the results of any investigation, and shall be fined upon conviction not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense, the fine to be recovered in manner and form as provided by law. A separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day during or on which violation occurs or continues and for each sign posted in violation of this Ordinance, for each offense upon conviction thereof.

Severability –

The invalidity or unenforceability of one or more terms or provisions of this Ordinance shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. To the extent possible, such term or provision shall be deemed modified tot eh extent necessary to render such term or provision enforceable, preserving to the fullest permissible intent of the Ordinance.

Signed Ordinance 18-08