TWP CODE-PARTY CAUCUS NOTICE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Brad Halbrook

HB 3260 requires longer notice for township party caucuses: 20-day published notice, 45-day clerk notice to parties, and 30-day party notice to the clerk.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Purpose

HB 3260 amends the Township Code to lengthen advance notice and communication deadlines associated with political party caucuses held in townships to nominate candidates for township offices. The change is intended to provide more notice and more time for coordination between township clerks and township central committees.

Key provisions / changes

Amends 60 ILCS 1/45-10 (Township Code, Sec. 45-10).

Increases the minimum newspaper publication notice period for a township party caucus from 10 days to 20 days before the caucus.

Requires the township clerk to notify each township central committee chairman or membership, by first-class mail, of their obligation to report the caucus time and location not less than 45 days before the caucus (changed from 30 days).

Requires each township central committee chairman to notify the township clerk, by first-class mail, of the caucus time and location not less than 30 days before the caucus (changed from 20 days).

Retains existing provisions that, if multiple parties’ caucus times/locations conflict, the township clerk will assign times/locations by a fair and impartial public lottery.

The statute also contains existing sanction language that can bar a party from nominating a candidate if the chairperson fails to meet statutory requirements (language is preserved in the section).

Who is affected

Township clerks — new earlier notification duty (45 days) to central committees.

Township central committee chairpersons/members — extended deadline to report caucus details to the clerk (30 days).

Political parties and voters in townships — longer public notice period prior to caucuses (20 days published notice).

Local newspapers used for legal publication (publication timeline extended).

Candidates and election administrators — indirectly affected by clarity and timing of nomination processes.

Timing & procedural aspects

Caucuses are held on the first Tuesday in December preceding the regular township election (unchanged).

Statutory citation: 60 ILCS 1/45-10.

Legislative history: Introduced Feb 18, 2025 by Rep. Brad Halbrook; passed both chambers in May 2025; signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Companion bill: SB 1593.

Potential impacts / considerations

Provides parties, clerks, and the public more lead time to coordinate and advertise caucuses, which may reduce scheduling conflicts and improve voter awareness.

Requires earlier administrative planning by county/township election officials and party organizations.

The section’s enforcement/sanction provisions mean failures to meet notice/meeting requirements can affect a party’s ability to nominate candidates; organizations should adopt procedures to comply with the new timelines.

Bill