SB2930 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 18667 RTM 32110 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2930

Introduced 1/27/2026, by Sen. Steve McClure

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

70 ILCS 605/4-5

from Ch. 42, par. 4-5

Amends the Illinois Drainage Code. In provisions concerning the election of commissioners in districts organized under Farm Drainage Act and certain other districts, provides that an adult landowner is entitled to one vote per parcel of land owned by the owner. Specifies that, if a parcel of land is owned by more than one adult owner, then only one of the owners representing all of the owners may cast a vote per parcel. Provides that, by casting a vote, the voter certifies that the voter is the owner of the parcel. Provides that, if a parcel of land is owned by multiple owners, then the voter casting a vote certifies that a majority of the owners has granted the voter the authority to cast a vote on behalf of all the owners. Provides that, if a parcel of land is owned by an entity, then the person presenting himself or herself on behalf of the entity certifies that the person has the authority to vote on behalf of the entity. Provides that only people owning land in a district may be elected as a commissioner of the district. Provides that a commissioner holding the office that is being considered for election shall not be a judge of the election. Provides that the judges of election shall not be responsible for determining the ownership of any parcel of land. Provides that the judges of election may take reasonable measures to verify that no more than one person casts a vote for all the owners of any parcel. Provides that a person who willfully misrepresents the person's eligibility to cast a vote in an election under these provisions commits a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that the polls shall open at 4:00 p.m. (rather than 2:00 p.m.) and close at 6:00 p.m. (rather than 4:00 p.m.) unless the judges of election shall determine to hold the polls open a longer period to accommodate the voters. Provides that in no event shall the polls remain open later than 7:00 p.m. (rather than 6:00 p.m.).

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Drainage Code is amended by changing Section 4-5 as follows:

(70 ILCS 605/4-5) (from Ch. 42, par. 4-5)

Sec. 4-5. Election of commissioners Commissioners in districts Districts organized under Farm Drainage Act and certain other districts Districts. Commissioners for all districts that which, at the time this Act becomes effective, are operating and existing under the provisions of the Farm Drainage Act, shall be elected by the adult owners of land in the district in the manner provided by this Section unless the landowners have elected to change from the election to the appointment of commissioners in the manner provided in Section 4-6.

An election shall be held in all combined, union, special, user, mutual, or other districts that which were operating and existing under the Farm Drainage Act at the time this Act became effective and in districts that which have changed from the appointment to the election of commissioners as provided in Section 4-8, on the first Tuesday in September 1956 and annually thereafter for the purpose of electing a successor to the commissioner whose term will next expire. Commissioners so elected shall serve for a term of 3 years from the date of their election and until their successors have been elected and have qualified.

In any case where the commissioners have failed to give notice and to hold an election as provided in this Section, the circuit court of the county in which the district is organized may, on the petition of any owner of land in the district, designate the time and place for a special election. Any commissioner elected at such special election shall serve for the remainder of the term expiring 3 years from the date on which the election should have been held and until his successor is elected and has qualified.

The commissioners in office shall designate the place within the district at which the election will be held, and they shall file such designation in writing with the clerk of the circuit court at least 4 four weeks prior to the date of the election. The clerk shall give at least 2 two weeks notice of the time and place of the election by publication for 2 successive weeks in the manner provided by Section 4-22. Notice by mailing shall not be required.

Voting shall be by secret ballot. The clerk of the circuit court shall cause the ballots to be prepared. The ballots shall show on their face the name of the district, the date of the election, the term for which a commissioner is to be elected, the names of the declared candidates and a blank line for write-in candidates. A square shall appear before each name and before the blank line. There shall also be a space for the voter to write in the number of parcels of land owned by the voter. The reverse side of the ballot shall show the official nature of the ballot by the certificate of the clerk.

Every adult owner of land in the district shall be entitled to vote in the manner provided for in this paragraph. An adult landowner is entitled to one vote per parcel of land owned by the owner. If a parcel of land is owned by more than one adult owner, then only one of the owners representing all of the owners may cast a vote per parcel. By casting a vote, the voter certifies that the voter is the owner of the parcel. If a parcel of land is owned by multiple owners, then the voter casting a vote certifies that a majority of the owners have granted the voter the authority to cast a vote on behalf of all the owners. If a parcel of land is owned by an entity, then the person presenting himself or herself on behalf of the entity certifies that the person has the authority to vote on behalf of the entity.

Any qualified person owning land within the district may declare the person's his candidacy for the office of commissioner and thereby become entitled to have the person's his name placed on the ballot by filing a statement of the person's his candidacy in writing with the clerk at least 3 weeks prior to the date of the election.

The commissioners in office at the time of the election shall be the judges of the election, except that a commissioner holding the office that is being considered for election shall not be a judge of the election. In the event that one or more of the commissioners is absent or refuses or cannot to serve as judge, then the electors present at the opening of the polls may choose a person or persons to fill the vacancy or vacancies. The polls shall open at 4:00 p.m. 2:00 P.M. and close at 6:00 p.m. 4:00 P.M. unless the judges of election shall determine to hold the polls open a longer period to accommodate the voters. In no event shall the polls remain open later than 7:00 p.m. 6:00 P.M.

The judges of election shall not be responsible for determining the ownership of any parcel of land and may rely upon the representations of the person presenting himself or herself as the owner of land or the person authorized by a majority of the other owners of the land to cast a vote on behalf of all the owners. The judges of election may take reasonable measures to verify that no more than one person casts a vote for all the owners of any parcel. A person who willfully misrepresents the person's eligibility to cast a vote in an election under this Section commits a Class A misdemeanor.

Upon the closing of the polls the judges of election shall promptly canvass the ballots and the ballots together with the poll books, tally lists and the results shall be returned to the clerk of the circuit court within 48 hours after the election. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected. In case of a tie the judges shall determine by lot who is elected. The expense of the election shall be borne by the district.

In the event that a vacancy occurs in the office of commissioner whether by death, ineligibility, removal from office or failure to qualify the commissioners in office shall fill the vacancy by appointment. The commissioner so appointed shall serve until the next annual election. If the unexpired term caused by such vacancy be for more than one year then, at the next annual election, the adult landowners shall elect a commissioner to complete the then unexpired portion of the term in addition to electing a commissioner for a regular term.

Commissioners elected under this Section shall, within 20 days after their election, qualify by subscribing to an oath of office and giving bond, in the manner provided in Section 4-4.

(Source: P.A. 86-297.)