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Bunker Hill Village declares public health emergency, gives mayor curfew authority and moves May election to Nov. 3
Summary
The City Council adopted an emergency ordinance and corresponding resolution on March 24 that grant the mayor emergency powers, including curfew authority, and set the May 2, 2020 municipal election for November 3, 2020 under the governor's proclamation. All measures passed unanimously, 5-0.
Bunker Hill Village’s City Council voted unanimously March 24 to declare a public health emergency, authorize the mayor to impose a curfew if recommended by police, and postpone the city’s May municipal election to Nov. 3, 2020.
The council adopted Ordinance No. 20-519 declaring a public health emergency and state of disaster, a companion resolution (03-14-20C) supporting curfew authority for the mayor in coordination with the Memorial Villages Police Department (MVPD), and Ordinance No. 20-521 to move the election. Each action passed on a 5-0 voice vote; motions were offered by Councilmember Susan Schwartz (ordinances) and Councilmember Laurie Rosenbaum (resolution) with seconding motions recorded in the minutes.
The emergency ordinance gives the city explicit authority to request additional support from partner agencies, to consider temporary curfews or quarantines if public-safety officials recommend them, and to make short-term budget and procedural adjustments while the COVID-19 outbreak continues. Mayor Robert P. Lord introduced the items and framed them as preparatory steps to coordinate with county and state partners.
Public-safety context accompanied the vote. MVPD Chief Ray Schultz told the council the department had tightened station access, issued body cameras to officers, filled a vacancy with an officer who will begin April 6, and over-staffed dispatch with a part-time dispatcher to support operations. The department also rolled out the V-LINC "Check on Me" service locally and used automatic license-plate reader data to identify a serial mail thief, Chief Schultz reported.
Resident Clara Towsley, who commented via the meeting’s YouTube chat, said she supported moving the election from May to November. The council’s shift to the November date follows a March 18 gubernatorial proclamation authorizing municipalities to reschedule elections in response to the pandemic.
The council ended the item by voting to adopt the ordinances and resolution; no member opposed. The emergency authorities and the election schedule change take effect immediately under the enacted ordinances.
What happens next: the city now has explicit emergency powers to coordinate curfew or quarantine orders if recommended by law enforcement, and staff will implement administrative and scheduling changes tied to the election date and the city’s 2021 budget process.
