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Bensenville board votes to put binding referendum on April ballot over managerial government
Summary
The Bensenville Village Board approved a resolution to place a binding referendum on the April 1, 2025 ballot asking voters whether to retain the managerial form of government; public commenters urged transparency and raised procedural questions. The vote passed unanimously at the special meeting.
The Village Board approved a resolution on Dec. 4 to place a binding referendum on the April 1, 2025 ballot asking residents whether the village should retain its current managerial form of government.
The board moved and seconded the measure and recorded six yes votes before the chair declared, “Motion carries” and the resolution approved. The chair described the managerial form as one in which the village manager runs day-to-day operations and has sole authority over many administrative decisions, and said the village currently operates under that system with an interim manager in place.
Public commenters addressed the measure during the public-comment period. Michael Jaffe, a 30-year village resident, said, “I have lived in Bensenville for 30 years. I think the village is run professionally,” and asked trustees to explain how the change would benefit the village and affect the budget. Another resident, Chris McCollum, alleged the board’s action may violate village code and the Open Meetings Act and asked the trustees to explain their votes.
The resolution directs municipal staff to place the binding question on the April ballot; it does not itself change administrative authority. The chair and trustees said the outcome will depend on voters: any change would take effect only if a majority votes to abolish the managerial form.
