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SB 1547

ELECTIONS-ODD NUMBER OF WARDS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Paul Faraci

Allows cities under 100,000 in Illinois with odd wards to stagger alderman terms by voter approval: odd wards get 2-year terms, even wards 4-year terms, then all 4-year cycles.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 1547

SB 1547 — Elections: Staggered Aldermanic Terms in Cities with an Odd Number of Wards

Status: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (Introduced Feb 2025)
Statutory reference amended: 65 ILCS 5/3.1-20-22 (Illinois Municipal Code)

Main purpose

SB 1547 clarifies and prescribes how to implement staggered terms for alderpersons in Illinois cities under 100,000 population when the city has an odd number of wards. The aim is to ensure a roughly equal rotation of alderperson elections (about one‑half every two years) even when ward counts are not divisible evenly.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 3.1‑20‑22 of the Illinois Municipal Code to specify initial term lengths when voters approve a proposition to stagger aldermanic terms.
  • If a majority of voters adopt staggered terms:
    • In a city with an even number of wards: one alderperson elected from each even‑numbered ward serves a 2‑year term and one from each odd‑numbered ward serves a 4‑year term at the next regular alderperson election (preserves one‑half turnover).
    • In a city with an odd number of wards: at the next regular alderperson election one alderperson shall be elected from each odd‑numbered ward for a 2‑year term and one alderperson from each even‑numbered ward for a 4‑year term (this provision creates the initial offset needed to stagger terms when the ward count is odd).
  • Thereafter, successors to those initially elected shall serve 4‑year terms, maintaining the stagger thereafter.
  • Continues existing petition and ballot procedures for placing the stagger proposition before voters (petition threshold described in current statute).

Who is affected

  • Cities in Illinois with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants that adopt staggered alderperson terms by voter approval.
  • Voters in those cities (who vote on the proposition).
  • Current and future alderpersons in affected wards (initially some serve 2‑year terms, others 4‑year terms; thereafter all terms are 4 years with staggered election cycles).

Procedure and timeline

  • The proposition to stagger terms must be placed on the ballot pursuant to the existing petition process (petition signed by electors numbering at least 10% of the total vote cast at the last mayoral election).
  • If a majority of those voting on the proposition approve it, the initial assignment of 2‑ and 4‑year terms takes effect at the next regular alderperson election. Thereafter the staggered system continues with 4‑year terms.

Potential effects / considerations

  • Provides a clear rule for initial term allocation in cities with odd ward counts, preventing ambiguity or uneven turnover.
  • Ensures continuity on city councils by creating predictable staggered elections.
  • Cities and election authorities will need to apply the specified odd/even assignment at the first election after voter approval to implement the stagger correctly.

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

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