104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB1547
 
Introduced 2/4/2025, by Sen. Paul Faraci
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
65 ILCS 5/3.1-20-22  from Ch. 24, par. 3.1-20-22
    Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, if a majority of voters in a city of less than 100,000 inhabitants vote in favor of a proposition to stagger the terms of alderpersons, then in a city with an odd number of wards at the next regular election for alderpersons, one alderperson shall be elected from each odd-numbered ward for a term of 2 years and one alderperson shall be elected from each even-numbered ward for a term of 4 years


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A BILL FOR
 
SB1547LRB104 10468 RTM 20543 b

1    AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by 
5changing Section 3.1-20-22 as follows:
 
6    (65 ILCS 5/3.1-20-22)  (from Ch. 24, par. 3.1-20-22)
7    Sec. 3.1-20-22. Alderpersons; staggered terms. In any city 
8of less than 100,000 inhabitants, a proposition to stagger the 
9terms of alderpersons, with as nearly as possible one-half of 
10the alderpersons elected every 2 years, shall be certified by 
11the city clerk to the proper election authority, who shall 
12submit the proposition at an election in accordance with the 
13general election law, if a petition requesting that action is 
14signed by electors of the city numbering at least 10% of the 
15total vote cast at the last election for mayor of the city and 
16is filed with the city clerk.
17    The ballot shall have printed on it, but not as a part of 
18the proposition submitted, the following information for 
19voters: one alderperson elected from each even-numbered ward 
20shall serve a term of 2 years; one alderperson elected from 
21each odd-numbered ward shall serve a term of 4 years.
22    The proposition shall be substantially in the following 
23form: 
 
 
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1        Shall (name of city) adopt a system of staggered terms 
2    for alderpersons?
3    If a majority of those voting on the proposition vote in 
4favor of it, then (i) in a city with an even number of wards at 
5the next regular election for alderpersons, one alderperson 
6shall be elected from each even-numbered ward for a term of 2 
7years and one alderperson shall be elected from each 
8odd-numbered ward for a term of 4 years and (ii) in a city with 
9an odd number of wards at the next regular election for 
10alderpersons, one alderperson shall be elected from each 
11odd-numbered ward for a term of 2 years and one alderperson 
12shall be elected from each even-numbered ward for a term of 4 
13years. Thereafter, their successors shall be elected for terms 
14of 4 years.
15(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)