Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-08
MUNICIPAL REFORM ON COMMISSION PLAN

There is bill now before both
houses of the Illinois legislature which,
if enacted into law, will revolutionize
the method of city government in those
cities of the state which desire to take
advantage of its provisions. This bill
enables cities of Illinois to adopt what
lis known as the commission form of
government. Its provisions are, in all
essential points. identical with the plan
under which Des Moines and Cedar
Rapids, Iowa. are now operating with
remarkable success.
Under this new system city councils,
as we know them now, are done away
with. and in their place is established
mayor and four commissioners, all
| of whom are elected at large, thus
abolishing the ward representation sys
TEN. All elections are hon-partisan.
There is much interest in the Illinois
| bill throughout the state, and it is re-
lceiving strong support from a number
of large cities The bill does not i'm
pose this new system upon any city;
it simply enables cities to adopt it if
they desire to do SO. Furthermore, it
gives cities which have adopted the
system the right to abandon it, if at
the end of six years it does not meet
with the approval of the people, Brief
| ly stated, the bill is as follows:
| what the Bill Provides.
The law may be adopted by all cities
of the voters thereof, and popular vote
thereon, by the people.
1t provides for the government of
the cities by commission composed
lOf mayor and four commissioners,
Nominated and elected from the city at
large on a non-partisan ticket. The
term of Office of the mayor and com.
missioners is two years. Any vacancy
is to be filled by the remaining mem
lbers of the council.
Ward boundaries and ward systems
lare abolished.
No person interested in city con
tracts or in the public utilities of the
lefty shall be eligible to serve as city
lofficial or city employee.
Bribery and the expenditure of any
lgreat amount OF money to be elected
to Office are prevented.
The mayor and commissioners arc
the heads of the five municipal depart
ments, and legislative, executive anG
administrative power is vested in the
: council.
All franchise ordinances must be sub
mitted to the vote of the people before
their adoption.
All other ordinances must be so sub
mitted, if 10 per cent of the voters pc
tition therefor. within 10 days aftel
such ordinance is passed. This is call
ed the referendum.
Twenty-Five per cent of the voter!
may petition the council to pass Ger
tain ordinance. If the council doe!
not do so, then the ordinance is refer
red to vote of the people, and If thu
majority vote in favor thereof, tn
j same is adopted. This is called tn,
initiative.
The mayor or any commissioner ma.
be removed from Office before his tern
/. lexpires, by vote of the people at a spe
Icial election called for the purpos'
upon petition of 25 per cent of TIN
= voters. The officer sought to be re
moved shall be allowed to stand TO
!, reelection. If his opponent gets NOR
votes at the election than he does. the
The is removed; If not, then he will re
main in Office. If he should resig
| within five days after recall electio
| petition is filed, the remaining men
] tbers of the council may fill the va