HB2496 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 15806 AWJ 21173 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB2496

Introduced 2/19/2021, by Rep. Seth Lewis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Local Government Term Limit Review Act. Provides that, no later than December 31, 2021, and no less than every 2 years thereafter, every governmental unit that is governed by an elected governing body that has not enacted term limits by ordinance or resolution shall consider and decide, by verbal or written vote, ordinance, or resolution or by referendum of the electors of the governmental unit, whether to impose term limits for the chairpersons, presidents, or executives of their governing bodies. Defines "governmental unit" as a unit of local government or school district. Provides that, if a governmental unit has a term limit policy for chairpersons, executives, or presidents of its governing body, before a person may be elected chairperson, executive, or president, the governmental unit's clerk or secretary shall determine which members of the governing body are eligible to serve as chairperson, executive, or president of the governing body based upon the term limit policy. Provides that the clerk or secretary shall submit an eligibility report to the governing body listing those members who are eligible and ineligible before the meeting at which the chairperson, executive, or president is to be elected. Provides that, after electing the chairperson, executive, or president of a governing board, the governing body shall review the governmental unit's term limit policy and decide, by verbal or written vote, on whether they want to make any changes, including elimination of the policy, or maintain the current policy. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

HOME RULE NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

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 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Local Government Term Limit Review Act.

Section 5. Definition. As used in this Act, "governmental unit" means a unit of local government or school district.

Section 10. Home rule. A home rule unit may not regulate term limits in a manner inconsistent with this Act. This Act is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State.

Section 15. Two-year review of term limits for chairpersons, presidents, and executives of governmental units.

(a) No later than December 31, 2021, and no less than every 2 years thereafter, every governmental unit that is governed by an elected governing body that has not enacted term limits by ordinance or resolution shall consider and decide, by verbal or written vote, ordinance, or resolution or by referendum of the electors of the governmental unit, whether to impose term limits for the chairpersons, presidents, or executives of their governing bodies.

(b) This Section does not apply to governing or administrative bodies that are appointed by a governmental unit or the State.

Section 20. Review of term limit policy before electing chairperson, executive, or president.

(a) If a governmental unit has a term limit policy for chairpersons, executives, or presidents of its governing body, before a person may be elected chairperson, executive, or president, the governmental unit's clerk or secretary shall determine which members of the governing body are eligible to serve as chairperson, executive, or president of the governing body based upon the term limit policy. The clerk or secretary shall submit an eligibility report to the governing body listing those members who are eligible and ineligible before the meeting at which the chairperson, executive, or president is to be elected.

(b) Only after the governing body of a governmental unit receives the eligibility report may the body elect their chairperson, executive, or president.

(c) After electing the chairperson, executive, or president as provided in this Section, the governing body shall review the governmental unit's term limit policy and decide, by verbal or written vote, on whether they want to make any changes, including elimination of the policy, or maintain the current policy.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.