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The Herald & Review Archives
Herald & Review (Decatur, IL)
November 8, 2007
Section: News
Page: A3
Charges timing during primary illegal
MIKE FRAZIER H&R Staff Writer
DECATUR - The Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce plans to appeal a recent court decision that allows voters to decide in February whether to change the form of Decatur city government. The Chamber board of directors disputes the legality of the ballot propositions and says voters could be confused by ballot questions that are "worded inconsistently." Proponents of changing the form of city government are confident they are on solid legal ground. "It appears to be just another ploy to take the people’s right to vote away," said Brian Burcham, an organizer of Change Decatur. "But I can tell you right now, it ain’t going to work." Judge A.G. Webber IV ruled last month that two questions will be placed on the Feb. 5 primary ballot: Shall the city of Decatur retain the manager form of municipal government? Shall the city of Decatur adopt the strong mayor form of municipal government? The Chamber board voted Tuesday to hire an attorney to appeal the decision. "Although the Chamber presently has no position on the proposal to change to an aldermanic form of government, it disputes the legality of placing questions to abandon the present managerial form of government on a primary election ballot," states a Chamber news release. Illinois Municipal Code "expressly prohibits" such propositions on primary election ballots, the Chamber contends. Stephen Daniels, an organizer of Change Decatur, said the legal issues are "clear and well-established" to put the questions on the February ballot. Supporters of Change Decatur include Chamber members, Daniels said. "We have offered to talk with (the Chamber board) and meet with them several times, and they have not had any conversation with us," Daniels said. Change Decatur seeks to replace the city manager and council form of government with a strong mayor and aldermanic system. The city currently is served by the mayor and six council members, who are elected at large to represent the entire community. Under Change Decatur’s plan, the community would be divided into wards represented by 20 aldermen and a strong mayor. Voters must answer the first question "no" and the second question "yes" to change the manager-council form of government to an aldermanic form. If both questions are answered "no," the city would revert to a commissioner form of government. Daniels said if both questions are answered "yes," the manager form of government would be retained and the second question is nullified. Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.
Copyright, 2007, Herald & Review, Decatur, IL
