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Highland Park council directs staff to finalize term-limits referendum language, leaning to 10-year cap
Summary
After hours of debate, the Committee of the Whole directed staff to prepare a referendum for the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot on prospective term limits for mayor and council, with a majority favoring a practical 10-year cap (two four-year terms plus an allowance for partial terms/appointments). The measure must be finalized by Aug. 16 for the November ballot.
The Committee of the Whole for the City of Highland Park discussed whether to place a referendum on term limits for mayor and council members on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot and directed staff to prepare final language reflecting the council majority’s guidance.
Staff presented background research and counsel guidance, noting that any local term limits would be prospective under Illinois law and that council-adopted language must be filed by Aug. 16 for the November ballot; staff also told council that citizen petitioners face an earlier filing window if they pursue an initiative by petition.
Council members laid out contrasting views. One member opposed term limits, arguing that elections themselves provide accountability and that institutional knowledge is valuable. Council member Annette said she would support placing a referendum on the ballot and favored up to 12 years (three four-year terms) to balance continuity and turnover. Other council members emphasized recruitment challenges and the power of incumbency, while several argued that predictable turnover could broaden participation.
After extended discussion about term length, whether limits should be cumulative or consecutive, and how to treat partial terms filled by appointment, the mayor summarized the emerging majority direction: language that would set a practical 10-year maximum (commonly described in the discussion as two full four-year terms plus up to two additional years to account for appointed or partial terms). Staff said they would populate the draft resolution with the council’s direction and present a finalized draft for an up-or-down vote at the council meeting.
City staff and corporation counsel repeatedly reminded members that elected officials must provide neutral, factual information about the referendum in public settings and that city resources may not be used to advocate for or against the ballot question.
Next steps: staff will prepare the resolution text consistent with the council’s direction and return it for formal consideration. If the council does not adopt language, citizen petitioners would retain the option to pursue a ballot initiative subject to the petition deadlines noted by staff.
The committee then moved on to other business.
