District System will not be implemented in time for 2011 election

Judge Rules it Impossible to Establish Voter Approved Referendum in Time for Election

On Nov. 2, 2010, voters approved a binding public referendum question on the general ballot that establishes districts within the City of Naperville. Despite the approval of the referendum question, city officials were examining the feasibility of implementing districts in time for the 2011 consolidated elections.

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, Judge Bonnie Wheaton entered a court order declaring it impossible for the city to properly implement the referendum in time for the 2011 election. She further allowed 60 days for interested parties to appear and file responsive pleadings. The matter will be re-evaluated by the court on Feb. 2, 2011. The Naperville Voter Education League is requesting that the referendum be implemented in time for the 2013 general election, but Judge Wheaton stated that she would need to be briefed on the issue before a decision can be made.

When this referendum becomes effective, the mayor and three councilmen will be elected at large while the remaining five councilmen will be elected from each of the five districts to be established. In subsequent elections, a resident would vote for one mayor, one councilman to represent his/her district and three at-large councilmen. Geographic boundaries of the districts would be determined and approved the city council based on 2010 census data.

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