Des Plaines city clerk supports overturning term limits

Des Plaines City Clerk Donna McAllister sat quietly at a recent council meeting as she kept a record of the meeting, even as the discussion centered on her.

Some aldermen and residents last week questioned why she's bound by the city's term limits when her position is more administrative than political. Keeping the city record has been McAllister's duty for the 26∏ years she has held the job, but term limits will prevent her from continuing her marathon run. As an elected official, she will have to leave office next spring as she has served two 4-year terms since the time the limits took effect in 1999.

She may have been quiet as she dutifully took notes at the meeting, but McAllister has strong feelings.

"I would certainly like to see term limits overturned," she said Friday. "I worry that someone coming in for four or eight years couldn't learn that job in that time."

On a personal note, McAllister said she cannot fathom doing anything other than serve as city clerk. "It's a job I love, and I really wouldn't want to do anything else," she said.

In 2000, Des Plaines voters rejected a proposal to appoint the city clerk.

Des Plaines aldermen now are considering putting a possible repeal of term limits to the city's voters. On Aug. 18 the council may decide to put a question on November ballots to ask voters again about term limits.

Seventh Ward Alderman Don Smith, who will have to step down next spring due to limits, wants a separate question on Nov. 4 ballots in an attempt to eliminate term limits for the city clerk position.

Others agree. "It will be years before we find another one like her," 4th Ward Alderman Jean Higgason said.

It seems to have confounded people in Des Plaines, even those who support term limits.

"I don't know why. The city clerk's more of a department head," 6th Ward Alderman Mark Walsten said.

Des Plaines isn't alone. Rolling Meadows, the only other Northwest suburb with term limits, also limits its city clerk to two consecutive terms. Many other suburbs that elect their clerks but do not have limits, like Palatine, Barrington, Wheeling and Bartlett.