(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 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.
(5 ILCS 70/1.03)
(2) Words of one gender shall include the other genders.
(5 ILCS 70/1.04)
(3) Words in the present tense shall include the future.
(5 ILCS 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.
(5 ILCS 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.
(5 ILCS 70/1.09)
(F) The rules of construction shall not apply to any law which shall contain any express provision excluding that construction, or when the subject matter or context of the law 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 City Council may be fully carried out.
(5 ILCS 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.
(5 ILCS 70/2)
(I) When, in any ordinance, any act or duty shall be required to be done within a “reasonable time” or upon a “reasonable notice”, such reasonable time or reasonable notice shall be construed to mean such time only as may be necessary in the prompt execution of such duty, or a compliance with such notice.
(J) The words “written” or “in writing” shall be construed to include printing.
(Prior Code, § 10.04) (Ord. 60-1, passed 12-19-1960)