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Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes > Chapter 110 > Board Of Higher Education
Adjourn: A motion to adjourn a legislative chamber or a committee, if passed, ends that day's session.
Advice and consent: Under the Constitution, presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and international treaties become effective only when the Senate approves them by a two-thirds vote.
Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
Allegation: something that someone says happened.
Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
Amortization: Paying off a loan by regular installments.
Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
Appraisal: A determination of property value.
Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
Caucus: From the Algonquian Indian language, a caucus meant "to meet together." An informal organization of members of the legislature that exists to discuss issues of mutual concern and possibly to perform legislative research and policy planning for its members. There are regional, political or ideological, ethnic, and economic-based caucuses.
Charity: An agency, institution, or organization in existence and operating for the benefit of an indefinite number of persons and conducted for educational, religious, scientific, medical, or other beneficent purposes.
Combined waterworks and sewerage system: means and includes a waterworks and sewerage system, as defined in this Section, that a township determines to operate in combination. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/205-5
Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
County board: means the board of county commissioners in counties not under township organization, and the board of supervisors in counties under township organization, and the board of commissioners of Cook County. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.07
Debt: means indebtedness incurred by a dissolving township including, but not limited to, mortgages, judgments, and moneys due through the issuance and sale of bonds, or through an equivalent manner of borrowing for which notes or other evidences of indebtedness are issued fixing the amount of principal and interest from time to time payable to retire the indebtedness. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/23-5
Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
Design professional: means any individual, sole proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, corporation, professional corporation, or other entity that offers services under the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989, the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989, the Structural Engineering Practice Act of 1989, or the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act of 1989. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-7
Design-build: means a delivery system that provides responsibility within a single contract for the furnishing of architecture, engineering, land surveying, and related services as required and the labor, materials, equipment, and other construction services for the project. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-7
Design-build contract: means a contract for a public project under this Division between a commission and a design-build entity to furnish: architecture, engineering, land surveying, public art or interpretive exhibits, and related services, as required; and the labor, materials, equipment, and other construction services for the project. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-7
Design-build entity: means any individual, sole proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, corporation, professional corporation, or other entity that proposes to design and construct any public project under this Division. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-7
Devise: To gift property by will.
Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
Dissolving road district: means a road district in a dissolving township, which is dissolved under subsection (c) of Section 23-25. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/23-5
Dissolving township: means a township which is proposed to be dissolved into and be merged with 2 other adjacent townships. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/23-5
Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
Escheat: Reversion of real or personal property to the state when 1) a person dies without leaving a will and has no heirs, or 2) when the property (such as a bank account) has been inactive for a certain period of time. Source: OCC
Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
Evaluation criteria: means the requirements for the separate phases of the selection process as defined in this Division and may include the specialized experience, technical qualifications and competence, capacity to perform, past performance, experience with similar projects, assignment of personnel to the project, and other appropriate factors. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-7
Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. Source: OCC
Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
Freedom of Information Act: A federal law that mandates that all the records created and kept by federal agencies in the executive branch of government must be open for public inspection and copying. The only exceptions are those records that fall into one of nine exempted categories listed in the statute. Source: OCC
Garbage: means wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food and wastes from the handling, storage, and sale of produce. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/210-10
General Revenue Law of Illinois: or any equivalent expression, when used with reference to revenue, shall be deemed to refer to the Property Tax Code and all existing and future amendments thereto and modifications thereof, and all rules now or hereafter adopted pursuant thereto. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.23
Germane: On the subject of the pending bill or other business; a strict standard of relevance.
Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
Heretofore: means any time previous to the day on which the statute takes effect; and the word "hereafter" at any time after such day. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.17
Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
individual: shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.36
Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
Intangible property: Property that has no intrinsic value, but is merely the evidence of value such as stock certificates, bonds, and promissory notes.
Interest rate: The amount paid by a borrower to a lender in exchange for the use of the lender's money for a certain period of time. Interest is paid on loans or on debt instruments, such as notes or bonds, either at regular intervals or as part of a lump sum payment when the issue matures. Source: OCC
Intestate: Dying without leaving a will.
Joint resolution: A legislative measure which requires the approval of both chambers.
Judgement: The official decision of a court finally determining the respective rights and claims of the parties to a suit.
Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
Juror: A person who is on the jury.
Jury instructions: A judge's directions to the jury before it begins deliberations regarding the factual questions it must answer and the legal rules that it must apply. Source: U.S. Courts
Labor organization: includes any organization, labor union, craft union, or any voluntary unincorporated association designed to further the cause of the rights of union labor that is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining or of dealing with employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or apprenticeships or applications for apprenticeships, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, including apprenticeships or applications for apprenticeships. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/33G-3
Lawsuit: A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty, resulting in harm to the plaintiff.
Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
Legacy: A gift of property made by will.
Legal tender: coins, dollar bills, or other currency issued by a government as official money. Source: U.S. Mint
Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
Month: means a calendar month, and the word "year" a calendar year unless otherwise expressed; and the word "year" alone, is equivalent to the expression "year of our Lord. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.10
Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
Mortgagee: The person to whom property is mortgaged and who has loaned the money.
Mortgagor: The person who pledges property to a creditor as collateral for a loan and who receives the money.
Municipalities: has the meaning established in Section 1 of Article VII of the Constitution of the State of Illinois of 1970. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.27
Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
oath: shall be deemed to include an affirmation, and the word "sworn" shall be construed to include the word "affirmed. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.12
Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
open space: means any space or area of land or water of an area of 50 acres or more, the preservation or the restriction of development or use of which would (i) maintain or enhance the conservation of natural or scenic resources; (ii) protect natural streams or water supply; (iii) promote conservation of soils, wet lands, or shores; (iv) afford or enhance public outdoor recreation opportunities; (v) preserve flora and fauna, geological features, historic sites, or other areas of educational or scientific interest; (vi) enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring highways, parks, or other public lands; (vii) implement the plan of development adopted by the planning commission of any municipality or county; or (viii) promote orderly urban or suburban development. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/115-5
Open space plan: means the written plan adopted by the board to implement an open space program and includes properly adopted amendments or additions to the plan. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/115-5
Open space program: means the acquisition of the fee or of a lesser right or interest in tracts of open land in the township for open space purposes. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/115-5
Open space purposes: includes (i) the preservation and maintenance of open land, scenic roadways, and pathways; (ii) the holding of real property described in clause (i), with or without public access, for the education, pleasure, and recreation of the public or for other open space values; (iii) the preservation of portions of that property in their natural condition and the development of other portions of that property; (iv) the management and use of that property in a manner and with restrictions that will leave it unimpaired for the benefit of future generations; and (v) otherwise promoting the conservation of the nature, flora and fauna, natural environment, and natural resources of the township. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/115-5
Operation or management: means directing or carrying out the enterprise's affairs and is limited to any person who knowingly serves as a leader, organizer, operator, manager, director, supervisor, financier, advisor, recruiter, supplier, or enforcer of an enterprise in violation of this Article. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/33G-3
Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
Pattern of predicate activity: means : (1) at least 3 occurrences of predicate activity that
Personal property: All property that is not real property.
Petty offense: A federal misdemeanor punishable by six months or less in prison. Source: U.S. Courts
Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC
Predicate activity: means any act that is a Class 2 felony or higher and constitutes a violation or violations of any of the following provisions of the laws of the State of Illinois (as amended or revised as of the date the activity occurred or, in the instance of a continuing offense, the date that charges under this Article are filed in a particular matter in the State of Illinois) or any act under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged as a Class 2 felony or higher in this State: (1) under the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal
Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
Probate: Proving a will
Probation officers: Screen applicants for pretrial release and monitor convicted offenders released under court supervision.
Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
Recess: A temporary interruption of the legislative business.
Recourse: An arrangement in which a bank retains, in form or in substance, any credit risk directly or indirectly associated with an asset it has sold (in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) that exceeds a pro rata share of the bank's claim on the asset. If a bank has no claim on an asset it has sold, then the retention of any credit risk is recourse. Source: FDIC
Recycling: means the transfer of brush, wood chips, or leaves by employees of the township to a facility or place that will utilize the product without charge. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/210-10
Refuse: means (i) combustible trash, including but not limited to paper, cartons, boxes, barrels, wood, excelsior, tree branches, yard trimmings, wood furniture, and bedding; (ii) noncombustible trash, including but not limited to metals, tin cans, metal furniture, dirt, small quantities of rock and pieces of concrete, glass, crockery, and other mineral waste; and (iii) street rubbish, including but not limited to street sweepings, dirt, leaves, catch-basin dirt, and contents of litter receptacles. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/210-10
Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
Rescission: The cancellation of budget authority previously provided by Congress. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifies that the President may propose to Congress that funds be rescinded. If both Houses have not approved a rescission proposal (by passing legislation) within 45 days of continuous session, any funds being withheld must be made available for obligation.
Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
Scope and performance criteria: means the requirements for the commission project, including, but not limited to, the intended usage, capacity, size, scope, quality and performance standards, life-cycle costs, and other programmatic criteria that are expressed in performance-oriented and quantifiable specifications and drawings that can be reasonably inferred and are suited to allow a design-build entity to develop a proposal. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-7
Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
Sewerage system: means and includes any one or more of the following: sewerage treatment plant or plants, collecting, intercepting, and outlet sewers, lateral sewers and drains, including combined and separate storm water and sanitary drains, force mains, conduits, pumping stations, ejector stations, and all other appurtenances, extensions, and improvements necessary, useful, or convenient for the collection, treatment, and disposal in a sanitary manner of sewage and industrial wastes. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/205-5
Sewerage system: means and includes any or all of the following: a sewerage treatment plant or plants, collecting, intercepting and outlet sewers, lateral sewers, and drains, including combined and separate storm water and sanitary drains, force mains, conduits, pumping stations, ejector stations and all other appurtenances, extensions and improvements necessary, useful, or convenient for the collection, treatment, and disposal in a sanitary manner of sewage and industrial wastes. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS 5/11-139-1
Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
Subpoena duces tecum: A command to a witness to produce documents.
Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
Supplemental appropriation: Budget authority provided in an appropriations act in addition to regular or continuing appropriations already provided. Supplemental appropriations generally are made to cover emergencies, such as disaster relief, or other needs deemed too urgent to be postponed until the enactment of next year's regular appropriations act.
System: means a waterworks system, a sewerage system, or any separate integral part of a waterworks system or a sewerage system, or a waterworks system and sewerage system in combination as authorized and provided in Section 205-10. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/205-5
Testator: A male person who leaves a will at death.
Testify: Answer questions in court.
Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
Trust account: A general term that covers all types of accounts in a trust department, such as estates, guardianships, and agencies. Source: OCC
Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
Uniform Commercial Code: A set of statutes enacted by the various states to provide consistency among the states' commercial laws. It includes negotiable instruments, sales, stock transfers, trust and warehouse receipts, and bills of lading. Source: OCC
Unlawful death: includes the following offenses: under the Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012: Sections 9-1 (first degree murder) or 9-2 (second degree murder). See Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/33G-3
Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
Voice vote: A vote in which the Presiding Officer states the question, then asks those in favor and against to say "Yea" or "Nay," respectively, and announces the result according to his or her judgment. The names or numbers of legisators voting on each side are not recorded.
waterworks: as used in this Division 130, means and includes a waterworks system in its entirety or any integral part thereof, including mains, hydrants, meters, valves, standpipes, storage tanks, pumping tanks, intakes, wells, impounding reservoirs, or purification plants. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS 5/11-130-2
waterworks: means and includes a waterworks system in its entirety or any integral part thereof, including mains, hydrants, meters, values, standpipes, storage tanks, pump tanks, intakes, wells, impounding reservoirs, pumps, machinery, purification plants, softening apparatus, and all other elements, useful in connection with a water supply or water distribution system. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS 5/11-139-1
Waterworks system: means and includes a waterworks system in its entirety, or any integral part of a waterworks system, including mains, hydrants, meters, valves, standpipes, storage tanks, pumps, tanks, intakes, wells, impounding reservoirs, machinery, purification plants, softening apparatus, and all other elements useful in connection with a water supply or water distribution system. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 60 ILCS 1/205-5
