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SB 1347

Maternal Health Coordinator Program; created, report.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Emily Jordan

Allows voters to petition to dissolve a local government unit and transfer its assets, debts, and staff to a receiving unit, with dual-unit approval and strong vote thresholds.

Left in Finance and Appropriations
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1347

SB 1347 — Citizens Empowerment Act (Illinois) — Summary

Note: The submitted document included text from unrelated bills (Arizona AHCCCS dental provisions; Hawaii appropriations). This summary covers the Illinois "Citizens Empowerment Act" (SB 1347) introduced 1/28/2025 by Senator Chris Balkema.

Main purpose

SB 1347 creates a statutory process by which registered voters (electors) may petition to place a referendum on the next general election ballot to dissolve a unit of local government and transfer its assets, personnel, obligations and liabilities to a designated receiving unit of local government.

Key provisions

  • Petition filing and content

    • Petitions must be filed with both the governing boards of the dissolving unit and the receiving unit not less than 122 days before a general election.
    • Required petition elements: names of the dissolving and receiving units, proposed date of dissolution, signatures of electors equal to at least 5% of the total votes cast in the preceding general election, and an affidavit of publication showing public notice was published in a local newspaper at least 122 and not more than 152 days before the election.
    • Signatures must have been signed within 365 days before filing; a local unit may, by ordinance/resolution, shorten that window to as little as 180 days.
    • The proposed dissolution date must be at least 90 days after the election.

  • Notice and ballot placement

    • Petitioners must publish a prescribed notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected territories; failure to publish voids the petition and any referendum results.
    • If the petition meets requirements, the dissolution referendum is placed on the next general election ballot with specified ballot language.

  • Approval thresholds

    • The referendum must be approved by electors of both the dissolving unit and the receiving unit.
    • Approval in each unit requires either: (a) three-fifths (60%) of those voting on the question, or (b) a majority of those voting in the election in that unit (i.e., a majority of all ballots cast in the election, not just those answering the question).

  • Effect of approval

    • If approved, on or before the dissolution date all real and personal property, other assets, personnel, contracts, obligations and liabilities transfer to the receiving unit.
    • The dissolving unit is dissolved on the specified date; afterward the receiving unit may exercise all rights and duties of the dissolved unit (including any taxing authority).

  • Conforming changes & effective date

    • Amends the Election Code (modifies Section 28‑7 and related rules) to accommodate the new process. The bill provides that it is effective immediately.

Who is affected

  • Residents and registered voters of any unit of local government that could be targeted for dissolution and the residents of the receiving unit.
  • Local governments (dissolving and receiving) — administrative, financial, personnel and contractual responsibilities will shift on dissolution.
  • Election authorities responsible for administering petitions, notices and the referendum.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Fiscal and operational: dissolution will transfer both assets and liabilities (including debts and contractual obligations), creating potential fiscal impacts for receiving units.
  • Governance and services: consolidations may change local service delivery, taxation authority and local representation.
  • Thresholds and public notice requirements are designed to ensure both localities support a dissolution, but the dual-unit approval and strict timelines may make successful petitions administratively and politically challenging.

Procedural status (from submitted material)

  • Introduced in Illinois Senate on January 28, 2025 by Sen. Chris Balkema; initial readings and referral to assignments occurred thereafter. (Refer to official legislative tracking for current status and committee actions.)

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

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