(A) Pursuant to the Local Government Travel Expenses Control Act, being 50 ILCS 150/, non-home rule units of local government are required to establish regulations with respect to allowable travel, meal and lodging expenses.
(B) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ENTERTAINMENT. Includes, but is not limited to, shows, amusements, theaters, circuses, sporting events or any other place of public or private entertainment or amusement, unless ancillary to the purpose of the program or event
PUBLIC BUSINESS. Expenses incurred in the performance of a public purpose which is required or useful for the benefit of the city to carry out the responsibilities of city business.
TRAVEL. Any expenditure directly incident to official travel by employees and officers of the city or by wards or charges of the city involving reimbursement to travelers or direct payment to private agencies providing transportation or related services.
(C) (1) The city shall only reimburse the following types of travel, meal and lodging expenses incurred by its employees and officers up to the following maximum allowable amounts:
Type of Reimbursement | Rate |
Type of Reimbursement | Rate |
Mileage | |
Auto | Federal rate |
Per Diem/Meals | |
Within the State of Illinois | |
Breakfast | $5.50 |
Lunch | $5.50 |
Dinner | $17 |
Per Diem - Quarter | $7 |
Per Diem - Day | $28 |
Outside the State of Illinois | |
Breakfast | $6.50 |
Lunch | $6.50 |
Dinner | $19 |
Per Diem - Quarter | $8 |
Per Diem - Day | $32 |
Lodging | |
Chicago Metro | Federal rate * |
Suburban Cook County | |
Counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, | $132 |
McHenry and Will | $80 |
Downstate Illinois | |
Counties of Champaign, Kankakee, LaSalle, McLean, Macon, Madison, Peoria, Rock Island, St Clair, Sangamon, Tazewell, and Winnebago | $70 |
All other counties | $60 |
Out-of-state | $110 |
(2) Alcohol is specifically excluded from reimbursement.
(D) No reimbursement of travel, meal or lodging expenses incurred by a city employee or officer shall be authorized unless the “Travel, Meal and Lodging Expense Reimbursement Request Form”, attached to Ordinance 2017-003 and made a part hereof as if set out in full herein, has been submitted and approved. All documents and information submitted with the form shall be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.)
(E) Expenses for travel, meals and lodging of:
(1) Any officer or employee that exceeds the maximum reimbursement allowed under the regulations adopted under division (C) above; or
(2) Any member of the corporate authorities of the city may only be approved by roll call vote at an open meeting of the corporate authorities of the city. However, in the event of an emergency or other extraordinary circumstances, the corporate authorities may approve more than the maximum allowable expenses set forth above.
(F) The city shall not reimburse any elected official, employee or officer for any activities which would be considered entertainment activities which would otherwise be considered entertainment, but which are excluded from the prohibition on reimbursement due to being ancillary to the purpose of the program or event, may be reimbursed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(Ord. 2017-003, passed 2-14-2017)