AURORA, Ill. (WBBM Newsradio) – A group of Aurora residents has submitted nearly 9,000 petition signatures in an effort to place two recall questions on the November 3 ballot.
The proposals would ask voters whether the city should create a process to remove a sitting mayor or alderman at-large before the end of their term.
Organizers with Aurora for Change said they needed about 4,000 valid signatures. Election officials must verify the petitions before the questions can appear on the ballot.
Under the proposed process, residents seeking a recall vote would need signatures equal to at least 20% of the ballots cast in the most recent mayoral election. The official would be removed if a majority of voters supported the recall.
The City Council would then have 30 days to fill the vacancy. A special election would be required if more than 13 months remained in the term.
Organizers describe the effort as nonpartisan, though some supporters have called for Mayor John Laesch’s removal.
Local recall measures have faced legal challenges in Illinois because state law specifically provides a recall process only for the governor.
