Des Plaines schedules special meeting on term limits

Des Plaines aldermen will reopen talk of term limits on Thursday.

Fifth Ward Alderman Carla Brookman, who must vacate her seat next spring due to term limits, has heard from at least a dozen people, prompting her to call for a meeting so other aldermen can discuss term limits.

The committee of the whole meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at city hall, 1420 Miner St.

"I just hope a lot of people come out," Brookman said Friday. "It doesn't matter if you're for it or against."

No formal action to place the term limit question on November ballots can be taken at the meeting since it's not a council meeting.

Term limits took effect in Des Plaines after voters approved them by a lopsided margin in 1998. Des Plaines officials elected since 1999 can serve no more than two four-year terms.

Brookman, Mayor Tony Arredia, 1st Ward Alderman Patricia Beauvais, 3rd Ward Alderman Laura Murphy, 7th Ward Alderman Don Smith and City Clerk Donna McAllister will have to step down next spring due to term limits. In spring 2007, former Aldermen Thomas Christiansen, Dick Sayad and Tom Becker had to leave office.

Rolling Meadows is the only other Northwest suburb with term limits.