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Commission recommends removing pre-election timing and post-election removal limits on political signs
Summary
The planning commission approved a text amendment to Village Ordinance section 10-14 to eliminate a 45‑day pre‑election posting limit and a 14‑day post‑election removal requirement so the ordinance complies with Reed v. Gilbert and state statute.
The Antioch Planning & Zoning Commission approved a text amendment to Village Ordinance section 10‑14 to make political‑sign rules content neutral, removing the 45‑day pre‑election posting restriction and the 14‑day post‑election removal requirement.
Staff explained the change was prompted by legal precedent (Reed v. Gilbert) and counsel review; the amendment preserves non‑content restrictions such as prohibiting attachment of signs to utility poles and limiting signs that create public‑safety hazards. Staff told the commission Illinois law and U.S. Supreme Court precedent require the village to treat political signs the same as other signs and not regulate them by subject matter or timing.
Commissioners discussed practical enforcement (e.g., removal of signs attached to poles) and noted the village has rarely enforced the timing provisions in recent practice but had previously removed illegal signs. The commission voted to approve the staff‑recommended text amendment to align the local code with constitutional and state law requirements.
