HB1584 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 07734 RTM 17779 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB1584

Introduced 1/28/2025, by Rep. Daniel Didech

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

65 ILCS 5/3.1-10-50
65 ILCS 5/3.1-10-51
70 ILCS 1205/2-25	from Ch. 105, par. 2-25
75 ILCS 5/4-4	from Ch. 81, par. 4-4
75 ILCS 16/30-25
105 ILCS 5/5-14	from Ch. 122, par. 5-14
105 ILCS 5/10-10	from Ch. 122, par. 10-10

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code, the Park District Code, the Illinois Local Library Act, and the School Code. In provisions concerning vacancies in certain elected offices, requires that, if a vacancy occurs in a specified office with at least 32 months remaining in the term of the office and at least 141 days before the next election for that office, then the vacancy shall be filled in that election. Provides that, if a vacancy occurs in a specified office with less than 32 months remaining in the term of the office or less than 141 days before the next election for that office, then the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term by the person that was appointed to the office to fill the vacancy. In provisions concerning vacancies in offices with 2-year terms, requires that, if a vacancy occurs in a specified office at least 141 days before the next election for that office, then the vacancy shall be filled in that election.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by changing Sections 3.1-10-50 and 3.1-10-51 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/3.1-10-50)

Sec. 3.1-10-50. Events upon which an elective office becomes vacant in municipality with population under 500,000.

(a) Vacancy by resignation. A resignation is not effective unless it is in writing, signed by the person holding the elective office, and notarized.

(1) Unconditional resignation. An unconditional resignation by a person holding the elective office may specify a future date, not later than 60 days after the date the resignation is received by the officer authorized to fill the vacancy, at which time it becomes operative, but the resignation may not be withdrawn after it is received by the officer authorized to fill the vacancy. The effective date of a resignation that does not specify a future date at which it becomes operative is the date the resignation is received by the officer authorized to fill the vacancy. The effective date of a resignation that has a specified future effective date is that specified future date or the date the resignation is received by the officer authorized to fill the vacancy, whichever date occurs later.

(2) Conditional resignation. A resignation that does not become effective unless a specified event occurs can be withdrawn at any time prior to the occurrence of the specified event, but if not withdrawn, the effective date of the resignation is the date of the occurrence of the specified event or the date the resignation is received by the officer authorized to fill the vacancy, whichever date occurs later.

(3) Vacancy upon the effective date. For the purpose of determining the time period that would require an election to fill the vacancy by resignation or the commencement of the 60-day time period referred to in subsection (e), the resignation of an elected officer is deemed to have created a vacancy as of the effective date of the resignation.

(4) Duty of the clerk. If a resignation is delivered to the clerk of the municipality, the clerk shall forward a certified copy of the written resignation to the official who is authorized to fill the vacancy within 7 business days after receipt of the resignation.

(b) Vacancy by death or disability. A vacancy occurs in an office by reason of the death of the incumbent. The date of the death may be established by the date shown on the death certificate. A vacancy occurs in an office by permanent physical or mental disability rendering the person incapable of performing the duties of the office. The corporate authorities have the authority to make the determination whether an officer is incapable of performing the duties of the office because of a permanent physical or mental disability. A finding of mental disability shall not be made prior to the appointment by a court of a guardian ad litem for the officer or until a duly licensed doctor certifies, in writing, that the officer is mentally impaired to the extent that the officer is unable to effectively perform the duties of the office. If the corporate authorities find that an officer is incapable of performing the duties of the office due to permanent physical or mental disability, that person is removed from the office and the vacancy of the office occurs on the date of the determination.

(c) Vacancy by other causes.

(1) Abandonment and other causes. A vacancy occurs in an office by reason of abandonment of office; removal from office; or failure to qualify; or more than temporary removal of residence from the municipality; or in the case of an alderperson of a ward or councilman or trustee of a district, more than temporary removal of residence from the ward or district, as the case may be. The corporate authorities have the authority to determine whether a vacancy under this subsection has occurred. If the corporate authorities determine that a vacancy exists, the office is deemed vacant as of the date of that determination for all purposes including the calculation under subsections (e), (f), and (g).

(2) Guilty of a criminal offense. An admission of guilt of a criminal offense that upon conviction would disqualify the municipal officer from holding the office, in the form of a written agreement with State or federal prosecutors to plead guilty to a felony, bribery, perjury, or other infamous crime under State or federal law, constitutes a resignation from that office, effective on the date the plea agreement is made. For purposes of this Section, a conviction for an offense that disqualifies a municipal officer from holding that office occurs on the date of the return of a guilty verdict or, in the case of a trial by the court, on the entry of a finding of guilt.

(3) Election declared void. A vacancy occurs on the date of the decision of a competent tribunal declaring the election of the officer void.

(4) Owing a debt to the municipality. A vacancy occurs if a municipal official fails to pay a debt to a municipality in which the official has been elected or appointed to an elected position subject to the following:

(A) Before a vacancy may occur under this paragraph (4), the municipal clerk shall deliver, by personal service, a written notice to the municipal official that (i) the municipal official is in arrears of a debt to the municipality, (ii) that municipal official must either pay or contest the debt within 30 days after receipt of the notice or the municipal official will be disqualified and his or her office vacated, and (iii) if the municipal official chooses to contest the debt, the municipal official must provide written notice to the municipal clerk of the contesting of the debt. A copy of the notice, and the notice to contest, shall also be mailed by the municipal clerk to the appointed municipal attorney by certified mail. If the municipal clerk is the municipal official indebted to the municipality, the mayor or president of the municipality shall assume the duties of the municipal clerk required under this paragraph (4).

(B) In the event that the municipal official chooses to contest the debt, a hearing shall be held within 30 days of the municipal clerk's receipt of the written notice of contest from the municipal official. An appointed municipal hearing officer shall preside over the hearing, and shall hear testimony and accept evidence relevant to the existence of the debt owed by the municipal officer to the municipality.

(C) Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall make a determination on the basis of the evidence presented as to whether or not the municipal official is in arrears of a debt to the municipality. The determination shall be in writing and shall be designated as findings, decision, and order. The findings, decision, and order shall include: (i) the hearing officer's findings of fact; (ii) a decision of whether or not the municipal official is in arrears of a debt to the municipality based upon the findings of fact; and (iii) an order that either directs the municipal official to pay the debt within 30 days or be disqualified and his or her office vacated or dismisses the matter if a debt owed to the municipality is not proved. A copy of the hearing officer's written determination shall be served upon the municipal official in open proceedings before the hearing officer. If the municipal official does not appear for receipt of the written determination, the written determination shall be deemed to have been served on the municipal official on the date when a copy of the written determination is personally served on the municipal official or on the date when a copy of the written determination is deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the municipal official at the address on record with the municipality.

(D) A municipal official aggrieved by the determination of a hearing officer may secure judicial review of such determination in the circuit court of the county in which the hearing was held. The municipal official seeking judicial review must file a petition with the clerk of the court and must serve a copy of the petition upon the municipality by registered or certified mail within 5 days after service of the determination of the hearing officer. The petition shall contain a brief statement of the reasons why the determination of the hearing officer should be reversed. The municipal official shall file proof of service with the clerk of the court. No answer to the petition need be filed, but the municipality shall cause the record of proceedings before the hearing officer to be filed with the clerk of the court on or before the date of the hearing on the petition or as ordered by the court. The court shall set the matter for hearing to be held within 30 days after the filing of the petition and shall make its decision promptly after such hearing.

(E) If a municipal official chooses to pay the debt, or is ordered to pay the debt after the hearing, the municipal official must present proof of payment to the municipal clerk that the debt was paid in full, and, if applicable, within the required time period as ordered by a hearing officer or circuit court judge.

(F) A municipal official will be disqualified and his or her office vacated pursuant to this paragraph (4) on the later of the following times if the municipal official: (i) fails to pay or contest the debt within 30 days of the municipal official's receipt of the notice of the debt; (ii) fails to pay the debt within 30 days after being served with a written determination under subparagraph (C) ordering the municipal official to pay the debt; or (iii) fails to pay the debt within 30 days after being served with a decision pursuant to subparagraph (D) upholding a hearing officer's determination that the municipal officer has failed to pay a debt owed to a municipality.

(G) For purposes of this paragraph, a "debt" shall mean an arrearage in a definitely ascertainable and quantifiable amount after service of written notice thereof, in the payment of any indebtedness due to the municipality, which has been adjudicated before a tribunal with jurisdiction over the matter. A municipal official is considered in arrears of a debt to a municipality if a debt is more than 30 days overdue from the date the debt was due.

(d) Election of an acting mayor or acting president. The election of an acting mayor or acting president pursuant to subsection (f) or (g) does not create a vacancy in the original office of the person on the city council or as a trustee, as the case may be, unless the person resigns from the original office following election as acting mayor or acting president. If the person resigns from the original office following election as acting mayor or acting president, then the original office must be filled pursuant to the terms of this Section and the acting mayor or acting president shall exercise the powers of the mayor or president and shall vote and have veto power in the manner provided by law for a mayor or president. If the person does not resign from the original office following election as acting mayor or acting president, then the acting mayor or acting president shall exercise the powers of the mayor or president but shall be entitled to vote only in the manner provided for as the holder of the original office and shall not have the power to veto. If the person does not resign from the original office following election as acting mayor or acting president, and if that person's original term of office has not expired when a mayor or president is elected and has qualified for office, the acting mayor or acting-president shall return to the original office for the remainder of the term thereof.

(e) Appointment to fill alderperson or trustee vacancy. An appointment by the mayor or president or acting mayor or acting president, as the case may be, of a qualified person as described in Section 3.1-10-5 of this Code to fill a vacancy in the office of alderperson or trustee must be made within 60 days after the vacancy occurs. Once the appointment of the qualified person has been forwarded to the corporate authorities, the corporate authorities shall act upon the appointment within 30 days. If the appointment fails to receive the advice and consent of the corporate authorities within 30 days, the mayor or president or acting mayor or acting president shall appoint and forward to the corporate authorities a second qualified person as described in Section 3.1-10-5. Once the appointment of the second qualified person has been forwarded to the corporate authorities, the corporate authorities shall act upon the appointment within 30 days. If the appointment of the second qualified person also fails to receive the advice and consent of the corporate authorities, then the mayor or president or acting mayor or acting president, without the advice and consent of the corporate authorities, may make a temporary appointment from those persons who were appointed but whose appointments failed to receive the advice and consent of the corporate authorities. The person receiving the temporary appointment shall serve until an appointment has received the advice and consent and the appointee has qualified or until a person has been elected and has qualified, whichever first occurs.

(f) Election to fill vacancies in municipal offices with 4-year terms. If a vacancy occurs in an elective municipal office with a 4-year term and there remains an unexpired portion of the term of at least 32 28 months, and the vacancy occurs at least 141 130 days before the general municipal election next scheduled under the general election law, then the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term at that general municipal election. Whenever an election is held for this purpose, the municipal clerk shall certify the office to be filled and the candidates for the office to the proper election authorities as provided in the general election law. If a vacancy occurs with less than 32 28 months remaining in the unexpired portion of the term or less than 141 130 days before the general municipal election, then:

(1) Mayor or president. If the vacancy is in the office of mayor or president, the vacancy must be filled by the corporate authorities electing one of their members as acting mayor or acting president. Except as set forth in subsection (d), the acting mayor or acting president shall perform the duties and possess all the rights and powers of the mayor or president until a mayor or president is elected at the next general municipal election and has qualified. However, in villages with a population of less than 5,000, if each of the trustees either declines the election as acting president or is not elected by a majority vote of the trustees presently holding office, then the trustees may elect, as acting president, any other village resident who is qualified to hold municipal office, and the acting president shall exercise the powers of the president and shall vote and have veto power in the manner provided by law for a president.

(2) Alderperson or trustee. If the vacancy is in the office of alderperson or trustee, the vacancy must be filled by the mayor or president or acting mayor or acting president, as the case may be, in accordance with subsection (e).

(3) Other elective office. If the vacancy is in any elective municipal office other than mayor or president or alderperson or trustee, the mayor or president or acting mayor or acting president, as the case may be, must appoint a qualified person to hold the office until the office is filled by election, subject to the advice and consent of the city council or the board of trustees, as the case may be.

(g) Vacancies in municipal offices with 2-year terms. In the case of an elective municipal office with a 2-year term, if the vacancy occurs at least 141 130 days before the general municipal election next scheduled under the general election law, the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term at that general municipal election. If the vacancy occurs less than 141 130 days before the general municipal election, then:

(1) Mayor or president. If the vacancy is in the office of mayor or president, the vacancy must be filled by the corporate authorities electing one of their members as acting mayor or acting president. Except as set forth in subsection (d), the acting mayor or acting president shall perform the duties and possess all the rights and powers of the mayor or president until a mayor or president is elected at the next general municipal election and has qualified. However, in villages with a population of less than 5,000, if each of the trustees either declines the election as acting president or is not elected by a majority vote of the trustees presently holding office, then the trustees may elect, as acting president, any other village resident who is qualified to hold municipal office, and the acting president shall exercise the powers of the president and shall vote and have veto power in the manner provided by law for a president.

(2) Alderperson or trustee. If the vacancy is in the office of alderperson or trustee, the vacancy must be filled by the mayor or president or acting mayor or acting president, as the case may be, in accordance with subsection (e).

(3) Other elective office. If the vacancy is in any elective municipal office other than mayor or president or alderperson or trustee, the mayor or president or acting mayor or acting president, as the case may be, must appoint a qualified person to hold the office until the office is filled by election, subject to the advice and consent of the city council or the board of trustees, as the case may be.

(h) In cases of vacancies arising by reason of an election being declared void pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (c), persons holding elective office prior thereto shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified or appointed and confirmed by advice and consent, as the case may be.

(i) This Section applies only to municipalities with populations under 500,000.

(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)

(65 ILCS 5/3.1-10-51)

Sec. 3.1-10-51. Vacancies in municipalities with a population of 500,000 or more.

(a) Events upon which an elective office in a municipality of 500,000 or more shall become vacant:

(1) A municipal officer may resign from office. A vacancy occurs in an office by reason of resignation, failure to elect or qualify (in which case the incumbent shall remain in office until the vacancy is filled), death, permanent physical or mental disability rendering the person incapable of performing the duties of his or her office, conviction of a disqualifying crime, abandonment of office, removal from office, or removal of residence from the municipality or, in the case of an alderperson of a ward, removal of residence from the ward.

(2) An admission of guilt of a criminal offense that would, upon conviction, disqualify the municipal officer from holding that office, in the form of a written agreement with State or federal prosecutors to plead guilty to a felony, bribery, perjury, or other infamous crime under State or federal law, shall constitute a resignation from that office, effective at the time the plea agreement is made. For purposes of this Section, a conviction for an offense that disqualifies the municipal officer from holding that office occurs on the date of the return of a guilty verdict or, in the case of a trial by the court, the entry of a finding of guilt.

(3) Owing a debt to the municipality. A vacancy occurs if a municipal official fails to pay a debt to a municipality in which the official has been elected or appointed to an elected position subject to the following:

(A) Before a vacancy may occur under this paragraph (3), the municipal clerk shall deliver, by personal service, a written notice to the municipal official that (i) the municipal official is in arrears of a debt to the municipality, (ii) that municipal official must either pay or contest the debt within 30 days after receipt of the notice or the municipal official will be disqualified and his or her office vacated, and (iii) if the municipal official chooses to contest the debt, the municipal official must provide written notice to the municipal clerk of the contesting of the debt. A copy of the notice, and the notice to contest, shall also be mailed by the municipal clerk to the appointed municipal attorney by certified mail. If the municipal clerk is the municipal official indebted to the municipality, the mayor or president of the municipality shall assume the duties of the municipal clerk required under this paragraph (3).

(B) In the event that the municipal official chooses to contest the debt, a hearing shall be held within 30 days of the municipal clerk's receipt of the written notice of contest from the municipal official. An appointed municipal hearing officer shall preside over the hearing, and shall hear testimony and accept evidence relevant to the existence of the debt owed by the municipal officer to the municipality.

(C) Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall make a determination on the basis of the evidence presented as to whether or not the municipal official is in arrears of a debt to the municipality. The determination shall be in writing and shall be designated as findings, decision, and order. The findings, decision, and order shall include: (i) the hearing officer's findings of fact; (ii) a decision of whether or not the municipal official is in arrears of a debt to the municipality based upon the findings of fact; and (iii) an order that either directs the municipal official to pay the debt within 30 days or be disqualified and his or her office vacated or dismisses the matter if a debt owed to the municipality is not proved. A copy of the hearing officer's written determination shall be served upon the municipal official in open proceedings before the hearing officer. If the municipal official does not appear for receipt of the written determination, the written determination shall be deemed to have been served on the municipal official on the date when a copy of the written determination is personally served on the municipal official or on the date when a copy of the written determination is deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the municipal official at the address on record in the files of the municipality.

(D) A municipal official aggrieved by the determination of a hearing officer may secure judicial review of such determination in the circuit court of the county in which the hearing was held. The municipal official seeking judicial review must file a petition with the clerk of the court and must serve a copy of the petition upon the municipality by registered or certified mail within 5 days after service of the determination of the hearing officer. The petition shall contain a brief statement of the reasons why the determination of the hearing officer should be reversed. The municipal official shall file proof of service with the clerk of the court. No answer to the petition need be filed, but the municipality shall cause the record of proceedings before the hearing officer to be filed with the clerk of the court on or before the date of the hearing on the petition or as ordered by the court. The court shall set the matter for hearing to be held within 30 days after the filing of the petition and shall make its decision promptly after such hearing.

(E) If a municipal official chooses to pay the debt, or is ordered to pay the debt after the hearing, the municipal official must present proof of payment to the municipal clerk that the debt was paid in full, and, if applicable, within the required time period as ordered by a hearing officer.

(F) A municipal official will be disqualified and his or her office vacated pursuant to this paragraph (3) on the later of the following times the municipal official: (i) fails to pay or contest the debt within 30 days of the municipal official's receipt of the notice of the debt; (ii) fails to pay the debt within 30 days after being served with a written determination under subparagraph (C) ordering the municipal official to pay the debt; or (iii) fails to pay the debt within 30 days after being served with a decision pursuant to subparagraph (D) upholding a hearing officer's determination that the municipal officer has failed to pay a debt owed to a municipality.

(G) For purposes of this paragraph, a "debt" shall mean an arrearage in a definitely ascertainable and quantifiable amount after service of written notice thereof, in the payment of any indebtedness due to the municipality, which has been adjudicated before a tribunal with jurisdiction over the matter. A municipal official is considered in arrears of a debt to a municipality if a debt is more than 30 days overdue from the date the debt was due.

(b) If a vacancy occurs in an elective municipal office with a 4-year term and there remains an unexpired portion of the term of at least 32 28 months, and the vacancy occurs at least 141 130 days before the general municipal election next scheduled under the general election law, then the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term at that general municipal election. Whenever an election is held for this purpose, the municipal clerk shall certify the office to be filled and the candidates for the office to the proper election authorities as provided in the general election law. If the vacancy is in the office of mayor, the city council shall elect one of their members acting mayor. The acting mayor shall perform the duties and possess all the rights and powers of the mayor until a successor to fill the vacancy has been elected and has qualified. If the vacancy is in any other elective municipal office, then until the office is filled by election, the mayor shall appoint a qualified person to the office subject to the advice and consent of the city council.

(c) If a vacancy occurs later than the time provided in subsection (b) in a 4-year term, a vacancy in the office of mayor shall be filled by the corporate authorities electing one of their members acting mayor. The acting mayor shall perform the duties and possess all the rights and powers of the mayor until a mayor is elected at the next general municipal election and has qualified. A vacancy occurring later than the time provided in subsection (b) in a 4-year term in any elective office other than mayor shall be filled by appointment by the mayor, with the advice and consent of the corporate authorities.

(d) A municipal officer appointed or elected under this Section shall hold office until the officer's successor is elected and has qualified.

(e) An appointment to fill a vacancy in the office of alderperson shall be made within 60 days after the vacancy occurs. The requirement that an appointment be made within 60 days is an exclusive power and function of the State and is a denial and limitation under Article VII, Section 6, subsection (h) of the Illinois Constitution of the power of a home rule municipality to require that an appointment be made within a different period after the vacancy occurs.

(f) This Section applies only to municipalities with a population of 500,000 or more.

(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)

Section 10. The Park District Code is amended by changing Section 2-25 as follows:

(70 ILCS 1205/2-25) (from Ch. 105, par. 2-25)

Sec. 2-25. Vacancies. Whenever any member of the governing board of any park district (i) dies, (ii) resigns, (iii) becomes under legal disability, (iv) ceases to be a legal voter in the district, (v) is convicted in any court located in the United States of any infamous crime, bribery, perjury, or other felony, (vi) refuses or neglects to take his or her oath of office, (vii) neglects to perform the duties of his or her office or attend meetings of the board for the length of time as the board fixes by ordinance, or (viii) for any other reason specified by law, that office may be declared vacant. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by a majority of the remaining members of the board. Any person so appointed shall hold his or her office until the next regular election for this office, at which a member shall be elected to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term, subject to the following conditions:

(1) If the vacancy occurs with less than 32 28 months remaining in the term, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold his or her office until the expiration of the term for which he or she has been appointed, and no election to fill the vacancy shall be held.

(2) If the vacancy occurs with more than 32 28 months left in the term, but less than 141 123 days before the next regularly scheduled election for this office, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold his or her office until the second regularly scheduled election for the office following the appointment, at which a member shall be elected to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.

(Source: P.A. 101-257, eff. 8-9-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

Section 15. The Illinois Local Library Act is amended by changing Section 4-4 as follows:

(75 ILCS 5/4-4) (from Ch. 81, par. 4-4)

Sec. 4-4. Vacancies shall be declared in the office of trustee by the board when the elected or appointed trustee declines or is unable to serve, or is absent without cause from all regular board meetings for a period of one year, or is convicted of a misdemeanor for failing, neglecting, or refusing to discharge any duty imposed upon a trustee by this Act, or becomes a nonresident of the city, village, incorporated town, or township, or who fails to pay the library taxes levied by the corporate authorities. Vacancies shall also be declared in the office of trustee by the board when, at the election of the first board of library trustees or at any subsequent election, there are not sufficient trustees elected to fill an entire board of 7 trustees.

Vacancies in the board of trustees in a city or a village under the commission form of government shall be reported to the mayor or president and be filled in like manner as original appointments.

If a vacancy occurs in the board of trustees in any incorporated town or village (other than a village under the commission form of government) or in any township, the vacancy may be filled by the remaining trustees until the next regular library election at which library trustees are scheduled to be elected under the consolidated schedule of elections in the general election law, at which election a trustee shall be elected to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. If, however, the vacancy occurs with less than 32 28 months remaining in the term, and if the vacancy occurs less than 141 88 days before the next regular scheduled election for this office, then the person so appointed shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term, and no election to fill the vacancy shall be held. If there is a failure to appoint a library trustee or a failure to elect a library trustee, or if the person elected or appointed fails to qualify for office, the trustee may continue in office if available and qualified until his successor has been elected or appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled within 90 days after a vacancy has been declared.

(Source: P.A. 102-977, eff. 5-27-22.)

Section 20. The Public Library District Act of 1991 is amended by changing Section 30-25 as follows:

(75 ILCS 16/30-25)

Sec. 30-25. Vacancies.

(a) Vacancies shall be declared in the office of trustee by the board when an elected or appointed trustee (i) declines, fails, or is unable to serve, (ii) becomes a nonresident of the district, (iii) is convicted of a misdemeanor by failing, neglecting, or refusing to discharge any duty imposed upon him or her by this Act, or (iv) has failed to pay the library taxes levied by the district. Absence without cause from all regular board meetings for a period of one year shall be a basis for declaring a vacancy.

(b) All vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the remaining trustees until the next regular library election, at which time a trustee shall be elected for the remainder of the unexpired term. If, however, the vacancy occurs with less than 32 28 months remaining in the term, and if the vacancy occurs less than 141 88 days before the next regular scheduled election for this office, then the person so appointed shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term and no election to fill the vacancy shall be held. If the vacancy is in the office of a trustee of a library district with an appointed board, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the remaining trustees. Vacancies shall be filled within 90 days after a vacancy has been declared. If the trustees fail to appoint a new member within 90 days after a vacancy has been declared, the State Librarian shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy within 60 days after the trustees have failed to fill the vacancy. If the State Librarian fails to fill the vacancy within the 60 days after the trustees have failed to fill the vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled at the next regularly scheduled election. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, if a vacancy occurred prior to May 27, 2022 and that vacancy has not been filled by the trustees before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, the State Librarian shall fill the vacancy within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 102-977, eff. 5-27-22; 102-1107, eff. 12-14-22.)

Section 25. The School Code is amended by changing Sections 5-14 and 10-10 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/5-14) (from Ch. 122, par. 5-14)

Sec. 5-14. Term of office of successors - Vacancies. Successors to the trustees whose terms of office expire at the time prescribed in Section 5-13, and their successors, shall hold their offices for 6 years and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Trustees of schools shall enter upon the duties of their office on the third Monday of the month following their election.

Whenever a vacancy occurs, the remaining trustees shall fill the vacancy until the next regular school election, at which election a successor shall be elected to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. However, if the vacancy occurs with less than 32 28 months remaining in the term, or if the vacancy occurs less than 141 88 days before the next regularly scheduled election for this office then the person so appointed shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term, and no election to fill the vacancy shall be held. The successor shall have the same residential qualifications as his predecessor. Should they fail so to act, within 30 days after the vacancy occurs, the regional superintendent of the region in which the township lies, or if the township is divided by a county line or lines, the regional superintendent of the region in which a majority of the children, who reside in districts subject to the jurisdiction of the trustees of schools of such township, attend school, shall within 15 days after the remaining trustees have failed to fill the vacancy, fill the vacancy as provided for herein. The successor shall have the same type of residential qualifications as his predecessor.

(Source: P.A. 93-847, eff. 7-30-04.)

(105 ILCS 5/10-10) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-10)

Sec. 10-10. Board of education; term; vacancy. All school districts having a population of not fewer than 1,000 and not more than 500,000 inhabitants, as ascertained by any special or general census, and not governed by special Acts, shall be governed by a board of education consisting of 7 members, serving without compensation except as herein provided. Each member shall be elected for a term of 4 years for the initial members of the board of education of a combined school district to which that subsection applies. If 5 members are elected in 1983 pursuant to the extension of terms provided by law for transition to the consolidated election schedule under the general election law, 2 of those members shall be elected to serve terms of 2 years and 3 shall be elected to serve terms of 4 years; their successors shall serve for a 4 year term. When the voters of a district have voted to elect members of the board of education for 6 year terms, as provided in Section 9-5, the terms of office of members of the board of education of that district expire when their successors assume office but not later than 7 days after such election. If at the regular school election held in the first odd-numbered year after the determination to elect members for 6 year terms 2 members are elected, they shall serve for a 6 year term; and of the members elected at the next regular school election 3 shall serve for a term of 6 years and 2 shall serve a term of 2 years. Thereafter members elected in such districts shall be elected to a 6 year term. If at the regular school election held in the first odd-numbered year after the determination to elect members for 6 year terms 3 members are elected, they shall serve for a 6 year term; and of the members elected at the next regular school election 2 shall serve for a term of 2 years and 2 shall serve for a term of 6 years. Thereafter members elected in such districts shall be elected to a 6 year term. If at the regular school election held in the first odd-numbered year after the determination to elect members for 6 year terms 4 members are elected, 3 shall serve for a term of 6 years and one shall serve for a term of 2 years; and of the members elected at the next regular school election 2 shall serve for terms of 6 years and 2 shall serve for terms of 2 years. Thereafter members elected in such districts shall be elected to a 6 year term. If at the regular school election held in the first odd-numbered year after the determination to elect members for a 6 year term 5 members are elected, 3 shall serve for a term of 6 years and 2 shall serve for a term of 2 years; and of the members elected at the next regular school election 2 shall serve for terms of 6 years and 2 shall serve for terms of 2 years. Thereafter members elected in such districts shall be elected to a 6 year term. An election for board members shall not be held in school districts which by consolidation, annexation or otherwise shall cease to exist as a school district within 6 months after the election date, and the term of all board members which would otherwise terminate shall be continued until such district shall cease to exist. Each member, on the date of his or her election, shall be a citizen of the United States of the age of 18 years or over, shall be a resident of the State and the territory of the district for at least one year immediately preceding his or her election, shall be a registered voter as provided in the general election law, shall not be a school trustee, must not have been removed from a school board pursuant to Section 2-3.25f-5 of this Code (unless subsequently appointed as a member of an Independent Authority or if it has been 10 years since the abolition of the Independent Authority in the district), and shall not be a child sex offender as defined in Section 11-9.3 of the Criminal Code of 2012. When the board of education is the successor of the school directors, all rights of property, and all rights regarding causes of action existing or vested in such directors, shall vest in it as fully as they were vested in the school directors. Terms of members are subject to Section 2A-54 of the Election Code.

Nomination papers filed under this Section are not valid unless the candidate named therein files with the county clerk or the county board of election commissioners, as the case may be, of the county in which the principal office of the school district is located a receipt from the county clerk showing that the candidate has filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Such receipt shall be so filed either previously during the calendar year in which his nomination papers were filed or within the period for the filing of nomination papers in accordance with the general election law.

Whenever a vacancy occurs, the remaining members shall notify the regional superintendent of that vacancy within 5 days after its occurrence and shall proceed to fill the vacancy until the next regular school election, at which election a successor shall be elected to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. However, if the vacancy occurs with less than 32 months 868 days remaining in the term, or if the vacancy occurs less than 141 88 days before the next regularly scheduled election for this office then the person so appointed shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term, and no election to fill the vacancy shall be held. Should they fail so to act, within 60 days after the vacancy occurs, the regional superintendent of schools under whose supervision and control the district is operating, as defined in Section 3-14.2 of this Act, shall within 30 days after the remaining members have failed to fill the vacancy, fill the vacancy as provided for herein. Upon the regional superintendent's failure to fill the vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled at the next regularly scheduled election. Whether elected or appointed by the remaining members or regional superintendent, the successor shall be an inhabitant of the particular area from which his or her predecessor was elected if the residential requirements contained in Section 10-10.5 or 12-2 of this Code apply.

A board of education may appoint a student to the board to serve in an advisory capacity. The student member shall serve for a term as determined by the board. The board may not grant the student member any voting privileges, but shall consider the student member as an advisor. The student member may not participate in or attend any executive session of the board.

(Source: P.A. 101-67, eff. 1-1-20.)