{ "id": 3750217, "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. THE CHERRY VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT, Defendant-Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Cherry Valley Public Library District", "decision_date": "2005-03-03", "docket_number": "No. 2-04-0389", "first_page": "893", "last_page": "900", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "356 Ill. App. 3d 893" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "202 Ill. 2d 414", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1442052 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "426" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/202/0414-01" ] }, { "cite": "241 Ill. App. 3d 944", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2433781 ], "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "949", "parenthetical": "applying this principle to a contract" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/241/0944-01" ] }, { "cite": "284 Ill. App. 3d 832", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1260369 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "835-36" }, { "page": "835" }, { "page": "835-36" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/284/0832-01" ] }, { "cite": "198 Ill. 2d 156", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 29939 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "167" }, { "page": "167" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/198/0156-01" ] }, { "cite": "164 Ill. 2d 218", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 477021 ], "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "222" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/164/0218-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 Ill. 2d 230", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 57346 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "237" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/171/0230-01" ] }, { "cite": "298 Ill. App. 3d 560", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1073705 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "562" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/298/0560-01" ] }, { "cite": "343 Ill. App. 3d 648", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3719016 ], "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "650" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/343/0648-01" ] }, { "cite": "237 Ill. App. 3d 976", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5164044 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "980" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/237/0976-01" ] }, { "cite": "273 Ill. App. 3d 882", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 258693 ], "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "888-89" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/273/0882-01" ] }, { "cite": "197 Ill. 2d 225", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 259070 ], "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "232" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/197/0225-01" ] }, { "cite": "348 Ill. App. 3d 315", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 4022129 ], "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "319" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/348/0315-01" ] }, { "cite": "198 Ill. 2d 156", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 29939 ], "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "167" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/198/0156-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 685, "char_count": 15104, "ocr_confidence": 0.738, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.0573120743112626e-07, "percentile": 0.5556864512178123 }, "sha256": "a6defe9e1c0cfd687d5a4de47370c10e2be170bcbeffcfb8fc79292f0d883eb8", "simhash": "1:b92de98b09354cdc", "word_count": 2447 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:18:02.423948+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. THE CHERRY VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT, Defendant-Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE GROMETER\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nDefendant, the Cherry Valley Public Library District (District), appeals the judgment of the circuit court of Boone County granting summary judgment in favor of plaintiff, the State of Illinois. The present action was initiated when the State filed a quo warranto action chailenging the District\u2019s authority to annex territory in southwestern Boone County. The trial court held that the annexation was not authorized by section 15 \u2014 15 of the Public Library District Act of 1991 (Act) (75 ILCS 16/15 \u2014 15 (West 2002)) and that the notice of the annexation published by the District was defective (see 75 ILCS 16/1 \u2014 30 (West 2002)). For the reasons that follow, we affirm.\nThe instant dispute arose out of the District\u2019s attempt to annex certain land in Boone County. The land was adjacent to the District\u2019s borders and was located within two school districts that are partially served by the District. Invoking section 15 \u2014 15 of the Act (75 ILCS 16/ 15 \u2014 15 (West 2002)), the District sought to annex the territories by ordinance. No referendum was held. Section 15 \u2014 15 provides, in pertinent part, as follows:\n\u201cWhenever a municipality or school district included entirely or partially within a district has annexed or otherwise includes within its boundaries territory contiguous to the district and without local tax supported public library service, the district may annex that territory by the passage of an ordinance to that effect, describing the territory annexed and reciting the prior annexation or other inclusion of the territory by the municipality or school district.\u201d 75 ILCS 16/15 \u2014 15 (West 2002).\nThis statute allows, in certain circumstances, a library district to annex territories solely by passing an ordinance. Those circumstances are: (1) the municipality or school district is partially or wholly a part of a library district, and (2) the municipality or school district \u201chas annexed or otherwise includes\u201d the territory within its boundaries.\nAt issue in this appeal is the meaning of the phrase \u201cotherwise includes.\u201d The State reads it to require that the territory was the object of some action by the municipality or school district that resulted in it being included within the municipality or school district. The District, conversely, argues that \u201cotherwise includes\u201d simply means the state of being included within the entity in question. The distinction is significant in this case, for the territory at issue was never annexed or otherwise added to the two school districts. It was apparently always a part of them. If, then, the State is correct, section 15 \u2014 15 applies only where a school district or municipality takes some action to bring territory external to it within the boundaries of the school district or municipality. In that case, the District\u2019s attempted annexation at issue in the present case would be void, for section 15 \u2014 15 would not apply to this situation.\nTo resolve this question, we must construe section 15 \u2014 15. Statutory construction is a question of law; therefore, our review is de novo. Alison C. v. Westcott, 343 Ill. App. 3d 648, 650 (2003). Our primary goal in construing a statute is to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the legislature. Vrombaut v. Norcross Safety Products, L.L.C., 298 Ill. App. 3d 560, 562 (1998). Typically, the best indicator of that intent is the plain language of the statute itself. Boaden v. Department of Law Enforcement, 171 Ill. 2d 230, 237 (1996). However, where a statute is ambiguous, we may turn to external aids to guide our inquiry. People v. Hicks, 164 Ill. 2d 218, 222 (1995). Among these aids are the various rules of construction that have been developed by the courts. Useful here is the principle that a statute should be construed such that no portion of it is rendered meaningless. In re Marriage of Kates, 198 Ill. 2d 156, 167 (2001). Moreover, where two statutes relate to the same subject matter, they should be construed in pari materia, and an interpretation that gives meaning to both is favored. Anderson v. Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, 284 Ill. App. 3d 832, 835-36 (1996).\nWe have little difficulty concluding that this statute is ambiguous and that external aids of construction are necessary to discern the intent of the legislature. The parties and the Illinois Library Association, which filed a brief as amicus curiae, contend that the statute is clear and that its plain language controls. No one, however, agrees on what the statute means. Mere disagreement between the parties is not, of course, a sufficient reason to find a statute ambiguous. Cf. USG Interiors, Inc. v. Commercial & Architectural Products, Inc., 241 Ill. App. 3d 944, 949 (1993) (applying this principle to a contract). However, where, as here, multiple parties advance alternate but reasonable interpretations of a statute, the statute is ambiguous. Land v. Board of Education of the City of Chicago, 202 Ill. 2d 414, 426 (2002).\nThe District\u2019s reading of the statute finds support in the grammar of the statute itself, as well as some additional support in its legislative history. Section 15 \u2014 15 states that territory may be annexed to a library district if it has been annexed by a municipality or school district or if the school district or municipality otherwise includes the territory. Note that \u201chas annexed\u201d is in the past tense and \u201cotherwise includes\u201d is in the present tense. 75 ILCS 16/15 \u2014 15 (West 2002). Thus, it is colorable to interpret section 15 \u2014 15 as applying to territory that either has been previously annexed at some point or is a part of the municipality or school district at the present time. Moreover, as the District points out, the statute was amended in 1985 when \u201cincluded\u201d was changed to \u201cincludes.\u201d Pub. Act 84 \u2014 291, eff. January 1, 1986. Thus, argues the District, the legislature manifested an intent to bring all land presently included with a municipality or school district within the scope of section 15 \u2014 15. This is a reasonable interpretation of the statute.\nHowever, it is not the only reasonable interpretation of section 15 \u2014 15. Quite obviously, as the State points out, the District\u2019s reading of the statute renders \u201chas annexed\u201d superfluous. Territory that has previously been annexed by a municipality or school district is territory that is presently included with such an entity. Constructions that render a portion of a statute meaningless are not favored. Kates, 198 Ill. 2d at 167. Thus, the State\u2019s position that \u201cincludes\u201d refers to some action of inclusion other than an annexation is reasonable as well.\nWe find the State\u2019s interpretation of section 15 \u2014 15 to be proper. In resolving this issue, we find the statutory scheme of the entire Act dispositive. 75 ILCS 16/1 \u2014 1 et seq. (West 2002). It is axiomatic that statutes related to the same subject matter are to be read in conjunction. Anderson, 284 Ill. App. 3d at 835. Considering the Act as a whole, it is clear that the District\u2019s interpretation would not only render the phrase \u201chas annexed\u201d redundant, it would make another entire section of the Act meaningless. Section 15 \u2014 10 of the Act provides:\n\u201cUninhabited private property within municipality-\n(a) Territory within the boundaries of a municipality that has no voters residing in it and that consists in whole or in part of private property may be annexed to the district as provided in this Section.\n(b) A written petition describing the territory and signed by the owners of record of all land within the territory may be filed with the Board of Trustees of the library district. The petition, made under oath, shall request annexation and state that no voters reside within the territory. The trustees shall then, by ordinance, annex the described territory. No referendum need be held.\u201d 75 ILCS 16/ 15 \u2014 10 (West 2002).\nIf, as the District proposes, all territory within a municipality or school district falls within the scope of section 15 \u2014 15, section 15 \u2014 10 is completely superfluous. The District\u2019s reading of section 15 \u2014 15 means that all territory within a municipality is subject to annexation by ordinance. Section 15 \u2014 10 sets forth a procedure where any land within a municipality upon which no voters reside may be annexed by ordinance. Uninhabited land within a municipality is also simply land within a municipality. As land within a municipality, it would be subject to section 15 \u2014 15 if the District\u2019s construction were to prevail. Section 15 \u2014 10 would serve no purpose. We will not adopt an interpretation of a statute that renders another statute completely meaningless. See Anderson, 284 Ill. App. 3d at 835-36. Accordingly, we hold that section 15 \u2014 15 of the Act applies only where territory is added to a municipality through an annexation or some other such mechanism.\nHaving concluded that the District\u2019s attempted annexation under section 15 \u2014 15 of the territory at issue is invalid, we need not consider whether the notice that the District provided to effectuate this annexation was sufficient. The judgment of the circuit court of Boone County is affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nHUTCHINSON and RAPALA, JJ., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE GROMETER" }, { "text": "Supplemental Opinion on Denial of Rehearing\nJUSTICE GROMETER\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nDefendant, the Cherry Valley Public Library District, has filed a petition for rehearing in the instant case. In the petition, it argues that our decision was erroneous in two respects. First, defendant contests our reasoning regarding whether its interpretation of section 15 \u2014 15 of the Public Library District Act of 1991 (Act) (75 ILCS 16/ 15 \u2014 15 (West 2002)) would render section 15 \u2014 10 (75 ILCS 16/15 \u2014 10 (West 2002)) meaningless. It next argues that our reliance on the principle that a statute should not be interpreted so that a portion of it is rendered meaningless is erroneous in the present case. In the alternative, defendant requests that we certify this case for review by the supreme court pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 316. 155 Ill. 2d R. 316.\nDefendant first argues that section 15 \u2014 15 and section 15 \u2014 10 can be applied in slightly different circumstances. Therefore, section 15 \u2014 15, interpreted as defendant advocates, would not render section 15 \u2014 10 meaningless. Defendant points out that section 15 \u2014 15 applies only to territories within a municipality of which a library district already serves a portion, while section 15 \u2014 10 may be used even if the territory in question lies within a municipality that is not served by the library district. Generally, a statutory construction should be avoided that would lead to absurd results. In re Brandon L., 348 Ill. App. 3d 315, 319 (2004). Section 15 \u2014 10 allows for the annexation of uninhabited territory by ordinance with the consent of the owner of the property. 75 ILCS 16/15 \u2014 10 (West 2002). A section 15 \u2014 15 annexation requires a referendum if 10% of the registered voters in the area object; otherwise, the annexation may be accomplished by ordinance. 75 ILCS 16/15 \u2014 15 (West 2002). It would seem peculiar indeed if a library district could insinuate itself into a municipality by virtue of a friendly landowner and then take advantage of section 15 \u2014 15 where it previously could not have.\nDefendant\u2019s point is colorable; nevertheless, we adhere to our original decision. Notwithstanding the argument defendant makes in this petition, ordinary principles of statutory interpretation indicate that plaintiffs interpretation is the proper one. As we noted in our earlier opinion, section 15 \u2014 15 of the Act (75 ILCS 16/15 \u2014 15 (West 2002)) is ambiguous. The word \u201cincludes\u201d may be interpreted as either to make a part of or to be a part of. See Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary 833 (2002). On its face, then, the statute is ambiguous.\nTurning to external aids of construction, each party has something upon which to rely. As we stated before, defendant\u2019s interpretation finds some support in the grammar of the statute as well as its legislative history. It does, however, suffer from a major flaw; it makes the term \u201chas annexed\u201d superfluous. See In re Marriage of Kates, 198 Ill. 2d 156, 167 (2001). Plaintiffs construction of the statute does not. We find this consideration entitled to more weight in the instant case. Quite obviously, the legislature meant something when it wrote \u201chas annexed.\u201d See Sylvester v. Industrial Comm\u2019n, 197 Ill. 2d 225, 232 (2001). This is simply a more compelling factor than speculation about changes in the grammar of the provision. In other words, plaintiffs interpretation is more reasonable.\nThis case presents an exceedingly close question. Both parties present considerable support for their respective positions. In such circumstances, a court must choose the construction that it determines is most reasonable. When confronted with an unresolvable ambiguity in a purported contract, we may simply conclude that no contract exists. See Meyer v. Marilyn Miglin, Inc., 273 Ill. App. 3d 882, 888-89 (1995). We do not have this luxury with a statute. The statute was enacted, it exists, and it must mean something. Given two reasonable interpretations, we must choose one. The only basis for choice is determining which is the most reasonable. Here, we conclude that plaintiffs construction must prevail.\nDefendant states that phrases such as \u201cor otherwise includes\u201d appear over 3,000 times in Illinois statutes. It argues, \u201cIt is simply not uncommon or unusual for the legislature to specify specific examples of a statute\u2019s application, followed by the \u2018or otherwise\u2019 reference to the more general term.\u201d If such phrases are merely legislative boilerplate, it would seem that defendant would have an even greater problem advocating its position. The sole term left with meaningful content, which \u201cotherwise includes\u201d exemplifies, is \u201cannexed.\u201d \u201cAnnexed\u201d clearly implies an action of inclusion rather than a state of being included.\nFinally, defendant requests that we certify this case for supreme court review. 155 Ill. 2d R. 316. This power should be used sparingly. Watson v. J.C. Penney Co., 237 Ill. App. 3d 976, 980 (1992). While this case is one of first impression and of obvious importance to library districts, it is also a relatively straightforward case. Thus, we deem it best that defendant proceeds through usual channels and seeks leave to appeal from the supreme court.\nAccordingly, defendant\u2019s petition for rehearing is denied.\nHUTCHINSON and KAPALA, JJ., concur.", "type": "rehearing", "author": "JUSTICE GROMETER" } ], "attorneys": [ "Eugene G. Doherty, of Holmstrom & Kennedy, of Rockford, for appellant.", "James E Hursh, State\u2019s Attorney, of Belvidere (Martin E Moltz and Sally A. Swiss, both of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Frosecutor\u2019s Office, of counsel), for the Feople.", "Phillip B. Lenzini, of Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick, EC., of Feoria, for amicus curiae." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. THE CHERRY VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT, Defendant-Appellant.\nSecond District\nNo. 2\u201404\u20140389\nOpinion filed March 3, 2005.\nSupplemental opinion on denial of rehearing filed May 4, 2005.\nEugene G. Doherty, of Holmstrom & Kennedy, of Rockford, for appellant.\nJames E Hursh, State\u2019s Attorney, of Belvidere (Martin E Moltz and Sally A. Swiss, both of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Frosecutor\u2019s Office, of counsel), for the Feople.\nPhillip B. Lenzini, of Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick, EC., of Feoria, for amicus curiae." }, "file_name": "0893-01", "first_page_order": 911, "last_page_order": 918 }