Evening star., 1939-04-29
Illinois Studies Bill
TO End Urban bIiqhf'
By Private Initiative
Rebuilding Operations
Would Be Supervised
By Pubic Agencies

Following in general a plan which
has been suggested by the National
Association of Real Estate Boards
for the authorization of public serv-
ice corporations through which pri-
vate initiative and public agencies
could cooperate in large-scale Ee-
planning, reconditioning and re-
building operations for combating
urban blight" a bill has been in
troduced in the Legislature of IL
linois which would provide for the
creation of such corporations. 1t
would give them. under safeguards,
the power of eminent domain in
carrying out the rehabilitation and
rebuilding of slum and blighted
areas.
The act does not attempt to pre-
scribe in detail the type of con-
struction to be undertaken, and the
proposed new agencies would be
free to plan their whole large-scale
operation to meet economic need
in the community.
The proposed act declares the ces-
sation of slum and blight condi-
tions and the rehabilitation and re-
building of slum and blighted areas
to be in the best interests of the
health, morals, safety and general
welfare of the citizens of the State,
and such cessation and rehabilita-
ton and rebuilding to be a public
policy of the State.
It adds: 1T is believed Z" that
cessation of such conditions may be
accomplished through the eradica-
ton of slum and blight areas and
the concomitant devotion of such
areas to their highest and best land
use consistent with those restric-
tions adapted to that purpose, and
1t appears to the Legislature that
the accomplishment of this end by
private initiative, through public
service building corporations, super
vised and controlled by the pub
lie, should be fostered, encouraged
and aided = =. The activities of
public service building corporations
as provided in this act are hereby
declared to be public use"
The proposed public service build
Ing corporations, a number Of which
might be authorized to operate
within a given territory, are en-
powered Ito acquire, construct, alter,
renovate, demolish and rebuild,
maintain and operate lands and
Improvements" and, subject to the
supervision and control of State
agency, to bring such areas as come
under their operation into their
highest and best use. Streets might
be vacated and areas replanned in
the rebuilding operation, but the
operation must not be in contra
vention of any officially adopted city
plan.
Detailed supervision and regula-
ton of the proposed companies is
placed in the hands of the State
Housing Board. The corporations
may acquire no real property or
undertake any building construc-
ton without its approval. Plans
and specifications of proposed con-
struction and land use are to be
reviewed by the local plan commits
sion Cor the zoning commission If
no plan commission exists which
may make recommendations
Public hearings are to be held by
the board upon each proposed
project. Upon the facts found the
board, if it approves the project as
In the public interest, issues a GER
tificate that the acquisition of real
property for it is part Of the public
use declared by the act. Provision
Is made for objection by property
owners in the proposed area of oper-
alton, for review, in the case of any
objection, by the county court and