(A) The Mayor is hereby authorized to render a declaration of a state of emergency within the City of Oak Forest based on the following findings and supporting facts:
(1) That any type of emergency, natural disaster or catastrophe which will likely cause damage, injury, losses, hardship or suffering to the community or its residents, which can be construed broadly to include disease epidemics and other public health emergencies, is imminent or has occurred.
(2) That the emergency is severe enough to require the declaration of emergency in order to supplement local resources in preventing loss of life or injury, alleviating damages, loss, hardship or suffering or to necessitate measures to be taken, including the identification of any applicable procedures, rules or regulations that will be waived or suspended, during the emergency.
(B) The exercise of these powers shall be based upon a statement, signed under oath by the Mayor, finding that the standards herein which form the basis for such a declaration have been met, along with those facts which substantiate such a finding and declaring that a state of emergency exists.
(C) This written declaration shall be filed with the Clerk of the municipality as soon as practicable.
(D) Any state of emergency declared pursuant to this authority shall expire no later than the adjournment of the first regular meeting of the corporate authorities after the state of emergency has been declared.
(E) A declaration of emergency pursuant to this authority may not suspend in any way the rights of residents of the City of Oak Forest under the Illinois or United States Constitutions.
(Ord. 2020-03-0786O, passed 3-26-2020)
Cross-reference:
Civil Emergencies, see Ch. 93.