Illinois Statutes Chapter 30. Finance § 557/5. Definitions

§ 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

“Contractor” means a person who contracts with a governmental entity to improve real property or to perform or manage construction. “Contractor” does not mean a person licensed under the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989,  1 the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act of 1989,  2 or the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989. 3

“Governmental entity” means a county, a municipality, a township, a public educational institution, a special district, or any political subdivision thereof. “Governmental entity” does not include the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

“Improve” means to build, alter, repair, or demolish an improvement on, connected with, or beneath the surface of any real property; to excavate, clear, grade, fill, or landscape any real property; to construct driveways or roadways; or to perform labor on improvements.

“Improvement” includes, but is not limited to, all or any part of any building, structure, erection, alteration, demolition, excavation, clearing, grading, filling, landscaping, trees, shrubbery, driveways, or roadways on real property.

“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, governmental entity, or any other legal entity.

“Real property” means the real estate that is improved, including, but not limited to, lands, leaseholds, tenements, hereditaments, and improvements placed on the real estate.