SB0666 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 07900 AWJ 17972 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB0666

Introduced 1/25/2017, by Sen. Pamela J. Althoff

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

60 ILCS 1/45-50

Amends the Township Code. Provides that a participant in a caucus shall be entitled to only one vote for each office for which he or she is voting. Provides that a participant's vote shall not be weighted to be equal to more than one vote. Effective immediately.

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 5. The Township Code is amended by changing Section 45-50 as follows:

(60 ILCS 1/45-50)

Sec. 45-50. Caucus procedures.

(a) The rules of procedure for conducting a township or multi-township caucus must be approved and may be amended by a majority vote of the qualified participants attending the caucus. No participant shall be able to participate or vote at any township or multi-township caucus if the person is or was at anytime during the 12 months before the caucus any of the following:

(1) An elected or appointed public official of another established political party.

(2) An elected or appointed officer, director, precinct committeeman or representative of the township committeeman of another established political party.

(3) A judge of election under Article 13 or 14 of the Election Code for another statewide established political party.

(4) A voter who voted in the primary election of another statewide established political party different from the party holding the caucus.

(b) The rules of procedure shall include the following:

(1) No caucus shall commence earlier than 6:00 p.m.

(2) The caucus shall commence at the place specified in the notice of caucus.

(3) Procedures by which qualified caucus participants determine by a majority vote the duties of caucus judges of election. Caucus judges of election shall be appointed by a majority vote of the township or multi-township central committee. No judge of the Supreme Court, appellate court, or circuit court or associate judge shall serve as a caucus judge of election.

(4) Nominations for selection as a candidate shall be accepted from any qualified participant of the caucus.

(5) The method of voting (i.e., written ballot, voice vote, show of hands, standing vote) for determining the candidate or candidates selected for nomination.

(6) Whether candidates will be selected as a slate or as individual nominees for each office.

(7) Whether written notice of intent to be a caucus nominee is required.

(8) Other rules deemed necessary by the central committee at the time the rules are promulgated or by the majority of the qualified caucus participants when the rules are being considered at their meeting.

(9) A participant in a caucus shall be entitled to only one vote for each office for which he or she is voting. A participant's vote shall not be weighted to be equal to more than one vote.

(c) Individuals participating at an established political party township or multi-township caucus shall comply with each of the following:

(1) A participant shall be registered under Article 4, 5, or 6 of the Election Code.

(2) A participant shall be registered within the territory for which the nomination is made.

(3) A participant shall sign an affidavit that he or she is a registered voter and affiliated with the established political party holding the caucus.

(4) A participant shall not take part in the proceedings of more than one established political party township and multi-township caucus for the same election. This requirement also applies to the township and multi-township clerks.

(5) A participant shall not sign a petition of nomination for an independent or new political party candidate for the same election.

(6) A participant shall not become an independent candidate or a candidate of another established political party or a new political party for the same election.

(d) The voters participating at an established political party township or multi-township caucus shall not select for nomination more candidates than there are to be elected for each office.

(e) No candidate for nomination at a township or multi-township caucus shall be required to do either of the following:

(1) Circulate and file nominating petitions to become a candidate at the caucus.

(2) File a fee to become a candidate at the caucus.

(Source: P.A. 92-119, eff. 1-1-02.)

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