Highland officials briefed on state law moving election calendar forward

Deputy City Clerk Lana Hediger told the Highland City Council on July 15 that "Legislature 4488 was signed into law on July 1" and moves the municipal election calendar forward 28 days.

Hediger said petition circulation will begin July 30 and petition filing will move to Oct. 21–28, 2024. She said the primary date remains Feb. 25, 2025, and the consolidated election is April 1, 2025. The city manager and staff will publish notices in newspapers and add a dedicated page to the city website with election information.

City Manager Chris Conrad introduced the staff report and Deputy Clerk Hediger addressed council questions about timing and outreach. Hediger said she had asked the Illinois Municipal League why the change was made but that the IML did not have an explanation. "The election dates stay the same," she added, explaining that only petition circulation and filing windows moved earlier.

Hediger also summarized candidate thresholds that affect whether a primary is required: a primary is needed for mayor, clerk or treasurer if five or more candidates file; a primary is needed for city council member positions if nine or more candidates file.

For candidates and residents, the most immediate effect is the earlier circulation and filing windows for petitions; the city said it will publish notices and post guidance online to help prospective candidates meet the new schedule.

The council did not take formal action on the law change during the meeting; staff advised the body and said public notices will follow.