Vote on term limits unlikely in Des Plaines

A move to reverse term limits for Des Plaines officials appears to have fallen a couple thousand signatures short of landing on February primary ballots.

A Des Plaines resident known for his past support of ballot questions has challenged a question that would ask voters if they wanted to allow "unlimited" terms for city officials.

Brian Burkross says the ballot question is a binding one, which would require at least 3,085 signatures, or 10 percent of the number of registered voters in Des Plaines.

Resident Beverly Becker last week filed 123 pages of signatures to place the question "Shall the City of Des Plaines allow an unlimited number of terms of office for each elected city official?" on Feb. 5 ballots. Each page has spaces for 10 signatures, but the city clerk's office gave no estimate for the number of signatures submitted.

For nonbinding ballot questions, at least 8 percent of the number of Des Plaines voters in the last governor's election, or 1,291, would be needed, Burkross says.

"I believe that everybody has a right to bring a referendum to a ballot," Burkross said. "However, I do believe they need to follow the rules and do it the right way."

Becker, who isn't related to former Alderman Tom Becker, couldn't be reached for comment Thursday.

A hearing on the objection will be held next week before the city's electoral board, which includes Mayor Tony Arredia, 1st Ward Alderman Patricia Beauvais and City Clerk Donna McAllister. Ironically, all three would be prevented from running again by current term limits.

City Attorney David Wiltse said the proposed question would require a binding referendum to take effect. But he wouldn't comment further before speaking with the electoral board.

Burt Odelson, an election law attorney, said signatures equaling 10 percent of the city's registered voters are needed for ballot questions aimed at government change.

Odelson said he would advise any client to get at least 10 percent and some extra signatures if they wanted to get a question like this on the ballot.

"It's a no-brainer," Odelson said. "It's not even going to make the ballot."

If the question doesn't qualify for the primary, anyone can push for it to be on next fall's general election ballots. But new signatures would have to be submitted, Wiltse said.

In 1998, Des Plaines voters resoundingly approved limits of two terms. Rolling Meadows is the only other Northwest suburb with term limits.