Lakemoor plans term limits referendum

Lakemoor residents will have a chance to decide whether their village president and trustees should be limited to a maximum of three consecutive terms in office with a binding referendum question to be placed on the April 5 ballot.

At a Thursday night meeting, trustees' opinions were split evenly enough that Village President Todd Weihofen had to cast a tiebreaking vote to put the question to the public.

Trustee Phil Lonigro emphasized the board's vote was not about their personal opinions on term limits, but whether the voters should make the decision.

“What we're passing tonight has nothing to do with whether we want them or not, this is just about getting it to the voters,” Lonigro said.

Lonigro voted for the referendum, along with Weihofen and trustees Kathy Lennon and Colin McIntyre. Lennon said the aim of the measure is to avoid career politicians in local government. The three term limit would allow local politicians to serve for a maximum of 12 consecutive years.

Opponents wondered if there would be enough candidates in the village of about 5,000 residents to fill all the open positions if limits are imposed.

“When you have people who are really willing to commit their time and help and you're telling them they can't do it anymore, then who is going to step up to the plate?” Trustee Kimberly Beach said.

Beach added that voters may not realize how few people offer their time for village service.

However, Weihofen said 13 or 14 people had picked up election packets for the April election. That does not guarantee all those people will run for office, but Weihofen sees it as an indication of interest in village government.