(65 ILCS 5/2-3-9) (from Ch. 24, par. 2-3-9)
    Sec. 2-3-9. Upon the filing of a petition signed by one-fourth of the registered voters of any city, the city clerk shall certify, in the manner provided by the general election law the question of whether the city shall incorporate as a village, to the proper election authorities who shall submit the question at an election in accordance with the general election law. After one referendum for the purpose has taken place, no other referendum for the same purpose shall be held until ten months has elapsed.
    The question shall be substantially in the following form:
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Shall the city of....               YES
incorporate as a village    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
under the general law?              NO
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If a majority of the votes cast on the question are in favor of the incorporation of the city into a village, then the city shall be a village under this Code. It shall retain its name as the Village of.... and shall succeed to all rights and be liable for all debts and liabilities of the city.
    The officers of the former city, shall hold their offices until the next general municipal election, at which village officers are elected and until their successors have qualified.
(Source: P.A. 81-1490.)