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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alex Voigt, Asst. Chief of Staff
Rick Veenstra, Corporation Counsel
DATE: October 11, 2017
SUBJECT:
A Resolution regarding the Aurora Election Commission.
PURPOSE:
This resolution provides the City Council the opportunity to offer its support for allowing the voters of the City of Aurora to choose whether or not to dissolve the Aurora Election Commission by placing the proposition on the March of 2018 primary ballot.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Election Commission (AEC) serves as the election authority for the City of Aurora, except for the portion of the City located in DuPage County. The AEC was created in 1934 following a referendum at a time when the City limits were entirely within Kane County with the goal of offering City residents an opportunity to register to vote and vote locally. The AEC operates under Article 6 of the Illinois Election Code and is funded primarily by the City of Aurora with some financial assistance from Kane County. The Commission consists of three members appointed by the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit and operates independently of any managerial or budgetary oversight from the City or from Kane County - although its bills are approved for payment by the Chief Judge. The current Election Commissioners are Leah Anderson, Chair, Michael McCoy, Vice Chair and Lillian Perry, Secretary. They serve staggered 3-year terms.
Prior to 2010, the City provided space and basic support services to the AEC in order to assist in keeping the Commission's expenses as low as possible for the benefit of Aurora taxpayers. The arrangement also allowed the AEC's budget and procurement process to integrate with the City of Aurora's processes. In 2010, the AEC decided to separate from the City of Aurora and vacated the City-owned space.
Concerned about increasing costs and the lack of public accountability for taxpayer dollars, on August 10, 2010, acting under authority it bel...
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