(A) Words and phrases shall be read in context and construed according to the rules of grammar and common usage. Words and phrases that have acquired a technical or particular meaning, whether by legislative or judicial definition or otherwise, shall be construed accordingly.
(B) As used in this code, unless the context otherwise requires, the following rules will be followed.
(1) The singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular. (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70 § 1.03)
(2) Words of one gender shall include the other genders. (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70 § 1.04)
(3) Words in the present tense shall include the future. (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70 § 1.02)
(4) AND may be read OR, and OR may be read AND, if the sense requires it.
(C) The time within which any act provided by law is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is Saturday or Sunday or is a holiday as defined or fixed in any statute now or hereafter in force in this state, and then it shall also be excluded. If the day succeeding Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday is also a holiday or a Saturday or Sunday, then the succeeding day shall also be excluded. (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70 § 1.11)
(D) When the law requires an act to be done which may by law as well be done by an agent as by the principal, the requirement shall be construed to include all such acts when done by an authorized agent.
(E) Words purporting to give joint authority to three or more municipal officers or other persons shall be construed as giving authority to a majority of the officers or persons. (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70 § 1.09)
(F) These rules of construction shall not apply to any provision of this code which shall contain any express provision excluding that construction, or when the subject matter or context of this code may be repugnant thereto.
(G) All general provisions, terms, phrases, and expressions shall be liberally construed in order that the true intent and meaning of the President and Board of Trustees may be fully carried out. (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70 § 1.01)
(H) The provisions of any ordinance, so far as they are the same as those of any prior ordinance, shall be construed as a continuation of the prior provisions, and not as a new enactment. (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 70 § 2)
(Am. Ord. 93-01, passed 1-12-93)