(A) General rule. Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain, or ordinary and usual sense. However, technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context or the intent of the County Board clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BOARD or COUNTY BOARD. The Madison County Board.
CODE, THIS CODE or THIS CODE OF ORDINANCES. This county code as adopted by ordinance, and modified by amendment, revision and adoption of new titles, chapters or sections.
COUNTY. Madison County, Illinois.
MAY. The act referred to is permissive.
MONTH. A calendar month.
OATH. An affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in such cases the words SWEAR and SWORN shall be equivalent to the words AFFIRM and AFFIRMED.
OFFICER, OFFICE, EMPLOYEE, COMMISSION or DEPARTMENT. An officer, office, employee, commission or department of this municipality unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
OWNER. As applied to a building or land shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant of the whole or part of such building or land, either alone or with others.
PERSON. Extends to and includes person, persons, firm, corporation, copartnership, trustee, lessee or receiver. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, the terms PERSON or WHOEVER as applied to any unincorporated entity shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers or agents thereof.
SHALL. The act referred to is mandatory, and not directory or discretionary.
STATE. The State of Illinois.
SUBCHAPTER. A division of a chapter, designated in this code by a heading in the chapter analysis and a capitalized heading in the body of the chapter, setting apart a group of sections related by the subject matter of the heading. Not all chapters have SUBCHAPTERS.
YEAR. A calendar year, unless otherwise expressed.
(1993 Code, § 10.05)