(65 ILCS 5/5-2-12) (from Ch. 24, par. 5-2-12)

Sec. 5-2-12. Alderpersons or trustees elected at large; vacancies; mayor or president to preside.

(a) If a city or village adopts the managerial form of municipal government but does not elect to choose alderpersons or trustees from wards or districts, then the following provisions of this Section shall be applicable.

(b) The city council shall be elected at large. In cities of less than 50,000 population, the council shall consist of (i) the mayor and 4 councilmen or (ii) the mayor and 6 councilmen if the size of the city council is increased under subsection (k). In cities of at least 50,000 but less than 100,000 population, the council shall consist of the mayor and 6 councilmen. In cities of at least 100,000 but not more than 500,000 population, the council shall consist of the mayor and 8 councilmen.

(c) Except in villages that were governed by Article 4 immediately before the adoption of the managerial form of municipal government, the village board shall be elected at large and shall consist of a president and the number of trustees provided for in Section 5-2-15 or 5-2-17, whichever is applicable.

(d) The term of office of the mayor and councilmen shall be 4 years, provided that in cities of less than 50,000, the 2 councilmen receiving the lowest vote at the first election shall serve for 2 years only; in cities of at least 50,000 but less than 100,000, the 3 councilmen receiving the lowest vote at the first election shall serve for 2 years only; and in cities of at least 100,000 but not more than 500,000, the 4 councilmen receiving the lowest vote at the first election shall serve for 2 years only.

(e) The election of councilmen shall be every 2 years. After the first election, only 2 councilmen in cities of less than 50,000, 3 councilmen in cities of at least 50,000 but less than 100,000, or 4 councilmen in cities of at least 100,000 but not more than 500,000, shall be voted for by each elector at the primary elections, and only 2, 3, or 4 councilmen, as the case may be, shall be voted for by each elector at each biennial general municipal election, to serve for 4 years.

(f) In addition to the requirements of the general election law, the ballots shall be in the form set out in Section 5-2-13. In cities with less than 50,000, the form of ballot prescribed in Section 5-2-13 shall be further modified by printing in the place relating to councilmen the words "Vote for not more than Two", or "Vote for not more than Three" if the size of the city council is increased under subsection (k), instead of the words "Vote for not more than Four". In cities of at least 50,000 but less than 100,000, the ballot shall be modified in that place by printing the words "Vote for not more than Three" instead of the words "Vote for not more than Four". Sections 4-3-5 through 4-3-18, insofar as they may be applicable, shall govern the election of a mayor and councilmen under this Section.

(g) If a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor or councilman, the remaining members of the council, within 60 days after the vacancy occurs, shall fill the vacancy by appointment of some person to the office for the balance of the unexpired term or until the vacancy is filled by interim election under Section 3.1-10-50, and until the successor is elected and has qualified.

(h) Except in villages that were governed by Article 4 immediately before the adoption of the managerial form of municipal government, in villages that have adopted this Article 5 the term of office of the president, the number of trustees to be elected, their terms of office, and the manner of filling vacancies shall be governed by Sections 5-2-14 through 5-2-17.

(i) Any village that adopts the managerial form of municipal government under this Article 5 and that, immediately before that adoption, was governed by the provisions of Article 4, shall continue to elect a mayor and 4 commissioners in accordance with Sections 4-3-5 through 4-3-18, insofar as they may be applicable, except that the 2 commissioners receiving the lowest vote among those elected at the first election after this Article 5 becomes effective in the village shall serve for 2 years only. After that first election, the election of commissioners shall be every 2 years, and 2 commissioners shall be elected at each election to serve for 4 years.

(j) The mayor or president shall preside at all meetings of the council or board and on all ceremonial occasions.

(k) In cities of less than 50,000 population, the city council may, by ordinance, provide that the city council shall, after the next biennial general municipal election, consist of 6 instead of 4 councilmen. If the size of the council is increased to 6 councilmen, then at the next biennial general municipal election, the electors shall vote for 4 instead of 2 councilmen. Of the 4 councilmen elected at that next election, the one receiving the lowest vote at that election shall serve a 2-year term. Thereafter, all terms shall be for 4 years.

(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)