Gurba v. Community High School District No. 155

Illinois Official Reports
Supreme Court
Gurba v. Community High School District No. 155, 2015 IL 118332
Caption in Supreme JEFF GURBA et al., Appellees, v. COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
Court: DISTRICT NO. 155 et al., Appellants.
Docket Nos. 118332, 118369 cons.
Filed September 24, 2015
Decision Under Appeal from the Appellate Court for the Second District; heard in that
Review court on appeal from the Circuit Court of McHenry County, the Hon.
Michael J. Chmiel, Judge, presiding.
Judgment Affirmed.
Counsel on Dean W. Krone, Robert E. Swain, Steven M. Richart and Kerry P.
Appeal Burnet, of Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn LLP, of
Arlington Heights, for appellant Board of Education of Community
High School District No. 155.
Michael G. Nerheim, Special State’s Attorney, of Waukegan (Carla N.
Wyckoff and Lisle A. Stalter, Assistant State’s Attorneys, of counsel),
for appellant Leslie Schermerhorn.
Thomas R. Burney, Thomas C. Zanck and James L. Wright, of Zanck,
Coen, Wright & Saladin, P.C., of Crystal Lake, and Jerome S. Schain,
Michael R. Burney and Patrick T. Brankin, of Schain, Banks, Kenny
& Schwartz, Ltd., of Chicago, for appellee Jeff Gurba et al.
Victor P. Filippini, Jr., and Betsy L. Gates, of Evanston, for appellee
City of Crystal Lake.
Ares G. Dalianis, Brian P. Crowley and Scott R. Metcalf, of Franczek
Radelet P.C., of Chicago, for amicus curiae Illinois Association of
School Boards et al.
Laurie Reynolds, of University of Illinois College of Law, of
Champaign, amicus curiae.
Roger Huebner, of Springfield, for amicus curiae Illinois Municipal
League.
Justices JUSTICE BURKE delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Chief Justice Garman and Justices Freeman, Thomas, Kilbride,
Karmeier, and Theis concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION
¶1 The question presented in this consolidated appeal is whether municipal zoning ordinances
govern a school district’s construction of football stadium bleachers on school property. The
appellate court below affirmed the judgment of the circuit court holding that a school district is
subject to, and its school board must comply with, local governmental zoning and storm water
restrictions. 2014 IL App (2d) 140098. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the appellate
court’s judgment.
¶2 BACKGROUND
¶3 Crystal Lake South High School (Crystal Lake South) is located in the city of Crystal Lake,
Illinois (City), a municipal corporation with home rule authority situated in McHenry County.
The area surrounding the school is zoned “R-2 residential single family,” and the school
constitutes a legal, nonconforming use. The Crystal Lake South campus is owned by
Community High School District No. 155 (District) and operated by the Board of Education of
Community High School District No. 155 (Board).
¶4 In 2013, the Board decided to replace the bleachers at the Crystal Lake South football
stadium after a failed structural inspection. The Board’s plan involved switching the locations
of the home and visiting bleachers so that the new home bleachers would now be adjacent to
residential property next to the school. The new home bleachers would be larger, higher, and
closer to the property line than the existing bleachers abutting the residences. The Board
applied for a permit for the project from Leslie Schermerhorn, the McHenry County Regional
Superintendent of Schools. Schermerhorn approved the plans and issued a building permit
pursuant to section 3-14.20 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/3-14.20 (West 2012)). The
District began work on the project without notifying the city of Crystal Lake or seeking a
building permit, zoning approval, or storm water management approval from the City.
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¶5 Upon learning of the project, the City informed the Board that it was required to comply
with the provisions of the Crystal Lake Unified Development Ordinance, which regulates
zoning and land use, as well as the City’s storm water management ordinance. The City
ordered the Board to stop construction on the project until it had obtained a special-use permit,
a storm water permit, and zoning variances. The Board disregarded the order and proceeded
with construction of the new bleachers. The Board took the position that a school district’s
construction on property used for school purposes is not subject to the zoning authority of the
local municipality.
¶6 At the same time, three plaintiffs who own residential properties adjacent to the school
filed suit against the Board and the District, seeking to privately enforce the City’s zoning
restrictions pursuant to section 11-13-15 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-13-15
(West 2012)). Plaintiffs alleged that the new, larger, bleachers did not comply with local
zoning regulations and negatively affected the value of their properties. 1 The Board
subsequently filed a third-party complaint for declaratory judgment against the city of Crystal
Lake and Schermerhorn asking the circuit court to decide whether the City has authority over
the District to enforce its zoning and storm water ordinances.
¶7 The parties to the third-party complaint filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The
circuit court of McHenry County awarded summary judgment in favor of the City. The
appellate court affirmed the circuit court’s order. 2014 IL App (2d) 140098.2 The Board and
Schermerhorn filed petitions for leave to appeal in this court pursuant to Illinois Supreme
Court Rule 315(a) (Ill. S. Ct. R. 315(a) (eff. July 1, 2013)). We allowed the petitions and
consolidated the two appeals.
¶8 We allowed the Illinois Association of School Boards, the Illinois Association of School
Administrators, and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials to file a brief as amici
curiae in support of appellants, and we allowed the Illinois Municipal League and Professor
Laurie Reynolds to file separate amicus curiae briefs in support of the City. Ill. S. Ct. R. 345(a)
(eff. Sept. 20, 2010).
¶9 ANALYSIS
¶ 10 Under section 2-1005(c) of the Code of Civil Procedure, summary judgment may be
granted only where the pleadings, depositions, admissions, and affidavits on file, when viewed
in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, show that there is no genuine issue as to
any material fact and that the moving party is clearly entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
735 ILCS 5/2-1005(c) (West 2012). When parties file cross-motions for summary judgment,
they mutually concede that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that only a question
of law is involved. Pielet v. Pielet, 2012 IL 112064, ¶ 28. Our review of an order granting
summary judgment is de novo. Schultz v. Illinois Farmers Insurance Co., 237 Ill. 2d 391,
399-400 (2010). The issues in this case involve statutory analysis and interpretation,
presenting questions of law which are subject to de novo review. People v. Elliott, 2014 IL
1
Appended to this opinion are copies of photographs from the record depicting the view from
plaintiffs’ back yards before and after the construction of the new bleachers.
2
The underlying enforcement action filed by the private property owners remains pending in the
circuit court.
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115308, ¶ 11. In construing a statute, our primary goal is to ascertain and effectuate the
legislature’s intent. Id. The best indicator of that intent is the statutory language itself, which
must be given its plain and ordinary meaning. Id.
¶ 11 At issue is whether a school district is subject to local zoning and land use regulations in
the course of exercising its statutory powers to construct new facilities on school property.
Zoning is primarily a legislative function, and it is within the province of local governmental
bodies to determine the use of land and to establish zoning classifications. La Grange State
Bank v. County of Cook, 75 Ill. 2d 301, 307 (1979). In the absence of express statutory
exclusions, municipalities are empowered by the Illinois Municipal Code to regulate all land
uses within their territory. See 65 ILCS 5/11-13-1 et seq. (West 2012); Village of Chatham,
Illinois v. County of Sangamon, Illinois, 216 Ill. 2d 402, 430-31 (2005); People of the Village
of Cahokia v. Wright, 57 Ill. 2d 166, 168 (1974).
¶ 12 The General Assembly has chosen to exempt certain entities from municipal zoning
regulations under the Municipal Code. For instance, section 11-13-1(12) of the Municipal
Code prohibits a home rule or non-home rule municipality from banning the display of outdoor
political campaign signs on residential property. 65 ILCS 5/11-13-1(12) (West 2012). Another
section of the Municipal Code restricts municipalities’ zoning powers with respect to antennas
or antenna support structures that are used for amateur radio communications. 65 ILCS
5/11-13-1.5 (West 2012). However, there is no statutory provision restricting the authority of a
municipality to regulate zoning or storm water management on school property. Thus, under
the plain terms of the Municipal Code, school property is subject to municipal zoning laws.
¶ 13 Moreover, as a home rule municipality, the City has broad powers to perform any function
pertaining to its government and affairs, including, but not limited to, the power to regulate for
the protection of the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public. Ill. Const. 1970, art. VII,
§ 6(a); Schillerstrom Homes, Inc. v. City of Naperville, 198 Ill. 2d 281, 287 (2001). Included
within the realm of home rule powers are municipal development regulations such as zoning
ordinances, which “undoubtedly pertain to local affairs.” Schillerstrom Homes, 198 Ill. 2d at
290. See also LeCompte v. Zoning Board of Appeals, 2011 IL App (1st) 100423, ¶ 19. The
General Assembly may choose to restrict a home rule unit’s powers by “provid[ing]
specifically by law for the exclusive exercise by the State of any power or function of a home
rule unit.” Ill. Const. 1970, art. VII, § 6(h). If there is no express preemption by the General
Assembly, a home rule unit may “exercise and perform concurrently with the State any power
or function of a home rule unit to the extent that the General Assembly by law does not
specifically limit the concurrent exercise or specifically declare the State’s exercise to be
exclusive.” Ill. Const. 1970, art. VII, § 6(i). See Schillerstrom Homes, 198 Ill. 2d at 287. The
General Assembly has not enacted any statute expressly preempting or limiting a home rule
unit’s zoning powers over public school property. We conclude, therefore, that it is within the
City’s home rule authority to impose its zoning ordinances on the District and the Board.
¶ 14 Despite the lack of any statutory provision expressly exempting school property from
municipal or home rule zoning authority, the Board nevertheless argues that the City’s zoning
powers do not extend to property owned by a school district. The Board contends that the
City’s zoning and storm water ordinances unduly interfere with the General Assembly’s
constitutional authority to regulate the public education system. We disagree. Article X,
section 1, of the Illinois Constitution requires the State to “provide for an efficient system of
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high quality public educational institutions and services” in order to fulfill the fundamental
goal of “the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities.” Ill. Const.
1970, art. X, § 1. In service of this goal, the General Assembly has “plenary power over the
Illinois school system.” Board of Education of School District No. 150 v. City of Peoria, 76 Ill.
2d 469, 476 (1979). The General Assembly has exercised its plenary power by enacting a
comprehensive statutory scheme for the creation, management, and operation of Illinois
schools, including various provisions setting forth the powers, duties, and obligations of school
boards. Id.
¶ 15 There is no support for the Board’s contention that the application of local zoning laws to
school district property unduly interferes with the General Assembly’s plenary power over
public education. To the contrary, section 10-22.13a of the School Code evinces the General
Assembly’s intent that school districts are subject to local zoning laws. This section authorizes
a school board “[t]o seek zoning changes, variations, or special uses for property held or
controlled by the school district.” 105 ILCS 5/10-22.13a (West 2012). It would be unnecessary
for the General Assembly to authorize a school district to seek zoning changes if it did not
intend for school property to be subject to local zoning ordinances in the first place. See 2011
Ill. Att’y Gen. Op. 11-005, at 3. The Board argues that section 10-22.13a is permissive, not
mandatory, because it references a “power” of a school board rather than a “duty.” Thus, the
Board would find that section 10-22.13a empowers a school district to request zoning changes,
variances, or special use permits from the local government if it so desires but does not require
it to do so. We reject this interpretation as an unreasonable reading of the statute. The more
natural reading is that section 10-22.13a confers upon a school board the specific power to
request zoning changes or variances because it falls within the jurisdiction of the local zoning
regulations.
¶ 16 The Board offers another interpretation of the zoning change provision in section
10-22.13a, suggesting that it applies only to property owned by a school district which is not
used for “school purposes.” The Board’s reading is not supported by the plain statutory
language. It is well settled that a court may not depart from the plain language of a statute by
reading into it exceptions, limitations, or conditions that the legislature did not express.
Gillespie Community Unit School District No. 7 v. Wight & Co., 2014 IL 115330, ¶ 36. There
is no indication that the General Assembly intended for section 10-22.13a to apply only to
property not used for “school purposes.”
¶ 17 Further support for our conclusion that the City’s zoning ordinances do not unduly
interfere with the educational goals of the General Assembly is found in Wilmette Park District
v. Village of Wilmette, 112 Ill. 2d 6 (1986). In that case, the park district filed a complaint
against the village claiming it was exempt from the village’s zoning ordinance and, therefore,
did not have to apply for a special-use permit to install new lights on its property. This court
disagreed, holding that:
“[n]either the Illinois Municipal Code nor the Park District Code provides park
districts with immunity from the zoning ordinances of their host municipality. ***
*** Absent an explicit statutory grant of immunity, the mere fact that the park
district, a local unit of government, has a statutory duty to operate its parks cannot be
extended to support the inference that it can exercise its authority without regard to the
zoning ordinances of its host municipality.” Id. at 14-15.
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¶ 18 The park district in Wilmette Park District argued similarly to the Board in this case that
the village’s zoning laws interfered with the park district’s statutory authority over park
operations. Id. at 18. This court rejected that argument, holding that the village’s interest did
not “originate from a desire to ‘manage’ park land or projects, but rather from its legitimate
interest and authority in planning and regulating the use of land within the entire community to
minimize abrasive activities and promote use consistent with the community character and
expectations of its residents.” Id. In the same way, the City’s regulation of school-owned
property for the benefit of the community as a whole is not equivalent to the regulation of
public education activities such as school curricula, administration and staffing.
¶ 19 The Board next argues that school construction is not subject to local zoning laws because
the School Code limits municipalities’ review and inspection of school construction plans
pursuant to the “Health/Life Safety Code for Public Schools” (Health/Life Safety Code).
Section 2-3.12 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/2-3.12(c) (West 2012)) authorizes the State
Board of Education to create the Health/Life Safety Code, which is referred to in various
statutory provisions as a school “building code.” 23 Ill. Adm. Code 180; 105 ILCS 5/2-3.12,
3-14.20, 3-14.21 (West 2012). The School Code authorizes a municipality to register with the
regional superintendent of schools if it wishes to receive notice of school construction plans or
inspect construction sites. 105 ILCS 5/3-14.20, 3-14.21(d) (West 2012). The municipality may
then object in writing to the plans, referencing the specific provisions of the Health/Life Safety
Code upon which the objections are based. Id.
¶ 20 The Board and Schermerhorn contend that the foregoing provisions delineate the only
opportunities for a municipality to participate in the construction of public school facilities.
They argue that the City is estopped from objecting to the bleacher construction project or
attempting to assert its zoning laws because it never registered with the regional superintendent
to receive notice of school construction plans pursuant to section 3-14.20 of the School Code.
This argument misconstrues the Health/Life Safety Code, whose purposes and goals are
distinct from local zoning regulations.
¶ 21 It is clear from the plain language of its relevant provisions that the Health/Life Safety
Code is a statewide building code which sets forth minimum construction standards and
building specifications for public school facilities. Neither the building code itself nor the
statutes referencing the code mention zoning, land-use, or storm water management. These
issues are local matters ordinarily regulated by counties and municipalities. See 65 ILCS
5/11-13-1 et seq. (West 2012) (authorizing zoning by municipalities); 55 ILCS 5/5-12001 et
seq. (West 2012) (authorizing zoning by counties); 70 ILCS 605/1-1 et seq. (West 2012)
(Illinois Drainage Code).
¶ 22 The issues involved in zoning—the size, height, and location of buildings, setbacks from
property lines, and the due process rights of neighboring property owners—are not addressed
by a building code. The Health/Life Safety Code is concerned with building and construction
standards to protect the health, safety, and welfare of those who use public school facilities.
See 105 ILCS 5/2-3.12(a) (West 2012). It does not address the health, safety, and welfare of
the community as a whole. The City’s decision not to be notified of building code matters did
not waive or diminish the City’s interest in or authority over zoning and storm water
management issues on school-owned property. Thus, the Health/Life Safety Code does not
preempt or limit the City’s authority over zoning and land use issues within its jurisdiction.
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¶ 23 As a home rule municipality, the City has the power to regulate land use within its
jurisdiction through zoning. There is no statute which exempts school district property from
the exercise of the City’s zoning laws. Accordingly, we hold that the bleacher construction
project undertaken by the Board and the District is subject to the City’s zoning and storm water
ordinances.
¶ 24 CONCLUSION
¶ 25 For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the appellate court affirming the trial
court’s order granting summary judgment in favor of the city of Crystal Lake and decreeing
that the Board of Education of Community High School District No. 155 is subject to the
City’s zoning and storm water ordinances.
¶ 26 Affirmed.
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