Change to Competitive Bidding Threshold for Park Districts

Illinois Senate Bill 1612, amending the Illinois Park District Code, the Conservation District Act and the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act, was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on August 1, 2025  and became effective immediately (P.A. 104-0114). The new law amends Section 8-1(c) of the Illinois Park District Code, raising the competitive bidding threshold for park district purchases of supplies and materials (not otherwise exempt from competitive bidding) from $30,000 to $60,000. The competitive bidding threshold for contracts for work (labor) remains at $30,000. As before, if a park board’s policy requires competitive bidding for purchases of supplies and materials in a lesser amount, the policy’s lower threshold(s) must be followed.

Park districts may now purchase supplies or materials up to $60,000 without competitive bidding, provided their purchasing policies align with the new threshold. However, park districts are still required to competitively bid any contract for labor (work) involving an expenditure of more than $30,000, unless the labor or work is otherwise exempt under the Park Code.

It is recommended that all park districts who wish to take advantage of the new $60,000 bidding threshold for supply and material purchases review and update their purchasing policies. Please contact your Robbins Schwartz attorney with any questions regarding this recent amendment to the Park Code or other legislative changes.