Sleepy Hollow board sends proposed campaign-sign changes to planning and zoning for public hearing

The Sleepy Hollow Village Board voted Oct. 7 to send a draft ordinance and petition to Planning & Zoning (PNZ) for a public hearing on updating rules for temporary political signs.

The village attorney told trustees that recent court decisions and an Illinois statute treat outdoor political campaign signs as a matter of statewide interest, meaning municipalities can generally regulate only size and similar narrowly defined attributes. Trustees discussed multiple size options; the board’s packet and discussion repeatedly referenced the current local limit of 6 square feet and proposals to consider larger limits such as 9 or 16 square feet.

Trustees questioned how the ordinance would be enforced and whether changes would apply before or after the next election. One trustee noted that signs on public property are currently removed immediately; the attorney said the proposed change is a zoning matter that must follow the planning‑and‑zoning public‑hearing process and would not take effect before the election. The board moved and approved a motion to authorize the village president and clerk to sign a petition requesting PNZ review and a public hearing, with a recommendation to examine 9‑ and 16‑square‑foot options.

The action begins the formal zoning process: PNZ will hold a public hearing, develop a recommendation and return the ordinance language to the board for final action. The attorney recommended that staff prepare specific size language for PNZ to consider, rather than leaving the size blank in the petition.

Next steps: PNZ will schedule a public hearing and issue a recommendation back to the board for a future vote.