Recall question on DuPage ballots
After being deluged with more than 20 ballot questions in the February primary, DuPage County voters are getting some relief when they head to the polls Nov. 4.
Only nine questions were submitted to the DuPage Election Commission by Thursday's deadline for the upcoming general election, two of which will be posed to every voter in the county.
DuPage voters may be the only ones in the state to be asked their thoughts on adding recall powers to the state constitution. State Sen. Dan Cronin, an Elmhurst Republican, helped spearhead the initiative with county board member Jeff Redick. Cronin was unaware of this question appearing on any other ballots in the state. It's only an advisory question, but Cronin believes it will help push the measure forward to a statewide vote.
"We believe the Illinois political culture is so shamefully dysfunctional that we desperately need this tool to change behavior of public officials," Cronin said.
The other countywide question is one that will be on every Illinois voter's ballot come Election Day. Voters are asked to decide if the state should convene a Constitutional Convention, or as it's been nicknamed by Springfield insiders - a Con-Con. The state's constitution requires the question be posed to voters at least once every 20 years. Voters decided against it in 1988. The purpose of the convention is to give voters a chance to amend or draft a new constitution.
The last constitution rewritting occurred in 1970, before that 1870, said Ken Menzel, an election specialist with the state board of elections. If voters decide to convene, they would then be asked elect two delegates from each of the state's 58 Senate districts. Any resident may run for the delegate post, and any recommendations of those delegates to the state's constitution would be voted on again by the populace, Menzel said.
In other ballot activity, property tax increases are sought for a $22 million recreation center in Lisle, operations and construction of a new $25 million library in Villa Park, $200,000 worth of road construction in Winfield Township and two new elementary schools and repairs to a middle school in Bensenville.
The Lisle recreation center would cost an additional $100 annually for the owner of $300,000 house. The Villa Park library project would cost about $235 more a year for the owner of a $250,000 house there. Winfield Township residents with a $300,000 house would have to pay about $20 more per year. The owner of a $300,000 house in Bensenville would pay about $395 more a year to cover the $50 million debt service for schoolhouse construction, equipping and repairs in Bensenville School District 2.
Additionally, Oakbrook Terrace is asking voters to allow city officials to appoint the next city clerk. Currently, the clerk is an elected post, but City Manager Marty Bourke said the post should be appointed to ensure the full-time job that pays $30,000 annually is filled by someone with "expertise."
Hinsdale is also seeking a 1 percent sales tax increase for the next 20 years to help fund a $66 million infrastructure overhaul, officials said.
Got questions?
Here's a list of ballot questions DuPage County voters are being asked to consider Nov. 4.
State: Every Illinois voter will be asked whether to convene a Constitutional Convention that would allow delegates to amend the current constitution or draft a new one.
County: Advisory question about recalling elected officials in statewide offices.
Bensenville Elementary District 2: A $50 million property tax hike to build two new schools and renovate a middle school.
Hinsdale: 1 percent sales tax hike for 20 years to help with $66 million infrastructure overhaul.
Lisle: A $22 million property tax increase to build and equip new recreation center.
Villa Park: Two property tax hike questions to build and operate a $25 million library.
Winfield Township: Property tax hike to add $200,000 to road maintenance fund.