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SB 1957

CITY CLERK ELECTIONS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Cristina Castro

Large Illinois cities with 100,000+ people that appoint but don’t elect clerks/treasurers must nominate and elect them like mayors/council in 2027.

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Bill Summary · SB 1957

SB 1957 — City Clerk Elections (Summary)

Status: Enacted — Signed by Governor 6/20/2025; effective immediately
Introduced: 2/6/2025 (Sen. Cristina Castro) — Companion: HB 4387
Statute amended: Illinois Municipal Code, 65 ILCS 5/5‑2‑19

Purpose

Require certain large Illinois cities that currently appoint their city clerk and/or treasurer to instead nominate and elect those officers at the 2027 consolidated municipal election, using the same nomination and election procedures that govern election of mayor and council under Article 5 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new subsection to 65 ILCS 5/5‑2‑19 directing that:
    • For the 2027 consolidated election, any city that (a) exceeds 100,000 inhabitants according to the most recent federal decennial census and (b) does not currently elect its clerk and treasurer, must nominate and elect its clerk and treasurer in the same manner provided for mayor and council under Article 5.
    • The requirement applies both to cities that already exceed 100,000 on the effective date of the act and to cities that cross that threshold based on the most recent decennial census, and it applies even if the city previously adopted an ordinance providing for appointment of the clerk or treasurer.
  • The election and ballot placement procedures (primary and municipal election ballots, headings, and rules for filling vacancies/nominations) will follow the mechanisms already laid out in Article 5 and Section 5‑2‑19.

Who is affected

  • Municipalities in Illinois that:
    • Exceed 100,000 residents per the most recent federal decennial census, and
    • Currently have one or both of the offices (city clerk, city treasurer) filled by appointment rather than election.
  • Local officials (mayors, city councils) in affected cities will lose the ability to appoint those offices where appointment ordinances exist.

Timeline / procedural notes

  • Effective immediately upon gubernatorial signature (6/20/2025).
  • Directs implementation at the 2027 consolidated municipal election.
  • Uses existing Article 5 nomination and election procedures (primary ballot, municipal election ballot formatting, rules for candidate replacement).

Potential impacts (practical considerations)

  • Converts appointed clerk/treasurer positions in large cities into elected offices, changing accountability and political dynamics.
  • Municipalities that had appointment ordinances must prepare for candidate filing, primary procedures and general election administration for these offices in 2027.
  • Potentially increased election administration costs and campaigns for those offices.

For precise legal effect and ballot mechanics, consult the amended text of 65 ILCS 5/5‑2‑19 and related Article 5 provisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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