For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Except as otherwise provided in this section, words and phrases shall be construed according to the common usage of the language; provided, however, that technical words and phrases and others as may have acquired a special meaning in the law shall be construed according to technical or special meaning.
ADOPTING ORDINANCE. The ordinance of the city adopting the Codified Ordinances of Berwyn, Illinois, as next published, in conformity with state law and this Chapter 202.
ANOTHER. When used to designate the owner of property which is the subject of an offense, includes not only natural persons but also every other owner of property.
CITY, MUNICIPALITY or MUNICIPAL CORPORATION. The City of Berwyn, irrespective of its population or legal classification.
COUNCIL or CITY COUNCIL. The Council of the City of Berwyn.
COUNTY. Cook County, Illinois.
COUNTY BOARD. The County Board of Cook County, Illinois.
(ILCS Ch. 70, Act 5, § 1.07)
COURT. Construed to mean any court of competent jurisdiction.
DECREE. Synonymous with JUDGMENT.
(ILCS Ch. 70, Act 5, § 1.24)
ELECTORS. Persons qualified to vote for elective officers at municipal elections.
(ILCS Ch. 65, Act 5, § 1-1-2)
HERETOFORE or HEREAFTER. HERETOFORE means any time previous to the day on which the ordinance, resolution or statute takes effect; HEREAFTER means at any time after that date.
(ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70, § 1.17)
HIGHWAY, ROAD or STREET. May include any road laid out by authority of the United States, or of this state, or of any town or county of this state, and all bridges thereupon.
(ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70, § 1.16)
ILCS. Illinois Compiled Statutes, 1992, as heretofore and hereafter amended.
IN THE CITY. Includes all territory over which the city has jurisdiction of its police powers or other regulatory powers.
JOINT AUTHORITY. Words giving authority to a board, commission, authority or to three or more officers or employees or other persons shall be construed as giving authority to a majority thereof, unless otherwise specifically provided.
KEEPER or PROPRIETOR. Includes all persons, whether acting by themselves, or as a servant, agent or employee.
LAND or REAL ESTATE. Includes rights and easements of an incorporeal nature.
MAY. The act referred to is permissive.
MAYOR. The Mayor of the city.
MONTH. A calendar month.
(ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70, § 1.10)
MUNICIPAL CODE. The Illinois Municipal Code, ILCS Ch. 65, Act 5.
OATH. Includes affirmation and SWEAR includes affirm.
(ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70, § 1.12)
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
(1) Whenever reference is made in these Codified Ordinances to a city officer or employee by title only, this shall be construed as though followed by the words “of the City of Berwyn” and shall be taken to mean the officer or employee of the city having the title mentioned or performing the duties indicated.
(2) No provision of these Codified Ordinances designating a duty of an officer or employee shall be so construed as to make the officer or employee liable for any fine or penalty provided in these Codified Ordinances for a failure to perform that duty, unless the intention of Council to impose a fine or penalty on the officer or employee is specifically clear and expressed in the section designating the duty.
OWNER. When applied to property, includes any part owner, joint owner, purchaser and seller under a contract and/or deed, or tenant in common of the whole or part of the property, and includes any beneficiary of a land trust which owns property.
PERSON. Any legal person; includes associations, partnerships, corporations, joint ventures and bodies politic and corporate as well as individuals.
(ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70, § 1.05)
PERSONAL PROPERTY. Includes all property except real.
POLICE OFFICERS. Police officers employed and in the service of the city. POLICE FORCE shall be construed to include persons in the employ of a city as members of the Department of Police, who are or shall hereafter be appointed and sworn as POLICE OFFICERS.
(ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70, § 1.20)
PRECEDING; FOLLOWING. Next before and next after, respectively.
PREMISES. As applied to property, includes land and buildings.
PROPERTY. Includes real, personal, mixed estates and other interests.
PUBLIC AUTHORITY. Includes school districts; units of legal government; the village, city, county, state or federal governments, officers and agencies thereof, or any commissions or committees thereof; or any duly authorized public official.
PUBLIC PLACE. Includes any street, sidewalk, park, cemetery, school yard, body of water or watercourse, public conveyance, or any other place for the sale of merchandise, public accommodation or amusement.
REAL PROPERTY. Includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.
REGISTERED MAIL. Includes certified mail and CERTIFIED MAIL includes registered mail.
SHALL. The act referred to is mandatory.
SIDEWALK. The portion of the street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines, intended for use of pedestrians.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 1-188)
SPECIAL DISTRICTS. The meaning ascribed in Article VII of the Constitution of the State of Illinois of 1970.
(ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70, § 1.29)
STATE. The State of Illinois.
STREET. Where the context admits, includes alleys, lanes, courts, boulevards, squares and other public thoroughfares.
TENANT or OCCUPANT. As applied to premises, includes any person holding a written or oral lease, or who actually occupies the whole or any part of the premises, alone or with others.
THIS CODE or THIS CODE OF ORDINANCES. The city code hereby adopted, and as hereinafter modified by amendment, revision, and by the adoption of new titles, chapters or sections.
UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. The meaning established in Section 1 of Article VII of the Constitution of the State of Illinois of 1970.
(ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70, § 1.28)
WEEK. Seven consecutive days.
WHOEVER. Includes all persons, natural and artificial; partners; principals, agents and employees; and all officials, public or private.
WHOLESALE; WHOLESALER; WHOLESALE DEALER. Shall be understood and held to relate to the sale of goods, merchandise, articles or things in quantity to persons who purchase for the purpose of resale, as distinguished from a retail dealer who sells in smaller quantities directly to the consumer.
WRITTEN or IN WRITING. Includes printing, electronic, and any other mode of representing words and letters; but when the written signature of any person is required by law on any official or public writing or bond, required by law, it shall be (1) in the proper handwriting of that person, or in case he or she is unable to write, his or her proper mark, or (2) an electronic signature as defined in the Electronic Commerce Security Act, ILCS Ch. 5, Act 175, §§ 1-101 et seq., except as otherwise provided by law.
(ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70, § 1.15)
YEAR. A calendar year unless otherwise expressed; and the word YEAR alone is equivalent to the expression “Year of Our Lord.”
(ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70, § 1.10)