Guild v. City of Chicago

Citations

• 82 Ill. 472

Syllabus

<p>1. Statute—of the title of an act. Where the title of an act is “ An act to provide for the incorporation of cities and villages,” anything legitimately appertaining to the incorporation of cities and villages is germane to the subject expressed in the title, and a provision in the act that applies to cities and towns already incorporated, as wTell as those to become incorporated under the act, although, as to towns already incorporated, it may only have the effect of an amendment to their charters, is, nevertheless, germane to the subject expressed in the title, and is not unconstitutional.</p> <p>2. Constitution—construction of section 22 of article 4. Section 22 of article 4 of the constitution, was not designed to -repeal or change charters of cities, towns and villages in force at the adoption of the constitution, but merely to provide that no city, town or village should thereafter become incorporated or have its charier changed or amended, except by virtue of a general law; and all that is practicable or could have been intended, was, that the legislature should, by a general law, provide for the incorporation of cities, towns and villages, or the change or amendment of their charters, leaving it to those interested to bring themselves within its operation.</p> <p>3. Legislative autiiobity—delegation. The fact that a law depends upon a future event or contingency for its taking effect, and that contingency may arise from the voluntary act of others, does not render it liable to the objection that it is a delegation of legislative authority to them upon whose acts the taking effect of the law depends.</p> <p>4. Towns and cities—amendment of 'charters must he under general law. Amendments of the charters of cities, towns and villages must be by general law, which must apply alike to all cities, towns and villages desiring to amend their charters in that particular respect, so that one city, town or village may not amend its charter by adopting one provision,