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Highland Park council unanimously votes to place term‑limits question on Nov. 3 ballot
Summary
After extended debate, the Highland Park City Council voted unanimously June 29 to place a referendum asking voters to approve term limits for mayor and council members (two full terms plus under 25 months, up to 10 years) on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot; the measure is not retroactive and would apply beginning with the April 2027 election.
The Highland Park City Council voted unanimously June 29 to place a term‑limits referendum on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot asking voters whether to limit service for the mayor and council members to two full terms plus a partial term of less than 25 months — a structure the council characterized as capping service at about 10 years and not applying retroactively.
Mayor Roing, who said he personally does not support term limits but wants the question decided by voters, described the proposed language as nonretroactive and effective starting with the April 2027 election. He said the council had populated the resolution with policy feedback from the earlier committee meeting and would file the finalized resolution with the Lake County Clerk's office and publicize the question in the Highlander and the city’s E‑News.
Council Member Liter read a prepared statement in support of placing the question on the ballot, saying, "Highland Park thrives when its leadership reflects both experience and renewal," and argued term limits create a predictable rhythm for leadership turnover and encourage broader participation. Other council members voiced competing views: one member warned that elections themselves are the strongest check on incumbency and said recruiting candidates is the city’s practical challenge, while another said term limits can lower barriers to entry and refresh governing bodies.
The council discussed technical details and timelines needed to meet election‑board deadlines; staff noted the council must adopt final language by an August filing date (cited by staff as August 16) to appear on the November ballot. Council members repeatedly emphasized the proposal would not be applied retroactively and would account for appointments that fill partial terms when calculating eligibility.
The vote to approve the resolution as amended was taken by roll call; the clerk recorded six votes in favor and no nays. Following the vote, staff said they would record the resolution with the Lake County Clerk’s Office and publish explanatory material for residents about the referendum question and how to vote.
Next steps: the adopted resolution will be finalized and transmitted to the Lake County Clerk for placement on the Nov. 3 ballot; the council indicated it would provide public information in the Highlander and city E‑News about the exact referendum language and timeline.
