2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 65 - MUNICIPALITIES › 65 ILCS 5/ - Illinois Municipal Code. › Article 6 - Strong Mayor Form Government

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 6 heading)
ARTICLE 6
STRONG MAYOR FORM GOVERNMENT
(65 ILCS 5/Art. 6 Div. 1 heading)
DIVISION 1.  
		GENERAL PROVISIONS
(65 ILCS 5/6-1-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-1-1)
Sec. 6-1-1. 
		Short
title.
		This Article shall be known, may be cited, and is hereafter designated
as "The Strong Mayor Form of Municipal Government".
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-1-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-1-2)
Sec. 6-1-2. 
		Application of Article 3. 
		
		The provisions of Article 3 shall apply to all officers elected or
appointed under this Article 6 unless otherwise provided or unless there is
a conflict between the provisions of this Article 6 and the provisions of
Article 3. In the event of such conflict, the provisions of this Article 6
shall control.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-1-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-1-3)
Sec. 6-1-3. 
		
		
		This Article 6 does not apply to an incorporated town which has
superseded a civil township.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/Art. 6 Div. 2 heading)
DIVISION 2.  
		ORGANIZATION
(65 ILCS 5/6-2-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-2-1)
Sec. 6-2-1. 
		Adoption.
All municipalities of not less than 5,000 population and not exceeding
500,000 population which are treated as properly incorporated, or which
hereafter are incorporated, under this Code, in addition to all rights,
powers, and authority conferred upon them elsewhere in this Code, shall
have the rights, powers, and authority conferred in this article, by
proceeding as hereinafter provided.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-2-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-2-2)
Sec. 6-2-2. 
		Petition - Submission of proposition. 
		Electors of any municipality, equal in number to 1/10 the number
of votes cast for all candidates for mayor or president at the last
preceding municipal election for such officer, may petition one of the
circuit judges of the circuit in which that municipality is located to
cause to be submitted to a vote of the electors of that municipality the
proposition whether the municipality shall adopt this article.
Upon submission of such petition the court shall set a date not less
than 10 nor more than 30 days thereafter for a hearing on the
sufficiency thereof. Notice of the filing of such petition and of such
date shall be given in writing to the city or village clerk and to the
mayor or village president at least 7 days before the date of such
hearing.
If the petition is found sufficient, the judge shall enter an order
directing the submission of the
proposition at the next general municipal election. The clerk of the circuit
court shall certify the proposition to the proper election authority in
accordance with the general election law for submission to the electors.
(Source: P.A. 81-1489.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-2-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-2-3)
Sec. 6-2-3. 
		Form of Petition. 
		The petition provided in Section 6-2-2 shall be substantially in the
following form and in accordance with the general election law: To the
Circuit Court of the (number of circuit) Judicial
Circuit:
We, the undersigned electors of the city (or village) of (name of
city or village), respectfully petition this court to order submitted to a vote
of the electors of (name of city or village), the following proposition:
Shall the city (or village) of.... adopt the strong mayor form of
municipal government?
(Source: P.A. 81-1489.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-2-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-2-5)
Sec. 6-2-5. 
		Election - Result. 
		The referendum specified in Section 6-2-2
shall be conducted in accordance with the general election law.
The proposition shall be in substantially the following form:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Shall the city (or village) of         YES
.............. adopt the strong    ---------------------------
mayor form of municipal government?        NO
--------------------------------------------------------------
If a majority of the electors voting upon this proposition vote Yes,
this article is adopted in that municipality. This article shall go into
effect in such city or village upon the election and qualification of
those persons elected at the next general municipal election at which
any corporate authority is elected.
If a majority of the electors voting upon this proposition vote No,
the proposition shall not be submitted again in that municipality for 22 months.
(Source: P.A. 81-1489.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-2-6) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-2-6)
Sec. 6-2-6. 
		Canvass; record. 
		A certified copy of the canvass of the votes on the proposition
specified in Section 6-2-2, made by the proper officers of the election,
shall be transmitted to the municipal clerk, and to the clerk of the
county or counties in which the municipality is located. Each
clerk shall transcribe the copy upon the records of
the clerk's office.
(Source: P.A. 87-1119.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-2-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-2-7)
Sec. 6-2-7. 
		Certificate of adoption. 
		If the strong mayor form of municipal government is adopted, the mayor
or president immediately shall transmit a certificate so stating to the
Secretary of State and the clerk and
the
recorder of the county or counties in which the municipality is
located. These officers shall file or record this certificate
in their
respective offices.
(Source: P.A. 87-1119.)
(65 ILCS 5/Art. 6 Div. 3 heading)
DIVISION 3.  
		ELECTION OF OFFICERS
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-1)
Sec. 6-3-1. 
		Initial division into wards. 
		Not later than 30 days prior to
the first day on which candidate petitions may be filed for the primary
election at which the first municipal officers are to be nominated for office
under this Article 6, the corporate authorities shall divide the municipality
into wards pursuant to Section 6-3-5.
(Source: P.A. 81-1490.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-2)
Sec. 6-3-2. Termination of terms of office. 
The terms of office of all elected municipal officers holding office at
the time of the issuance of the certificate of adoption of the strong mayor
form of government by the municipality pursuant to Division 2 of this
Article 6 shall terminate upon the election and qualification for office of
municipal officers pursuant to this Division 3 of Article 6, except that
where an existing form of municipal government has the same number of wards
as would be required hereunder, the alderpersons holding office at the time of
the issuance of the certificate of adoption shall serve until the
expiration of the terms for which they were elected.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-3)
Sec. 6-3-3. Municipal officers - terms. 
The municipality shall have the following elected officers: one mayor,
one municipal clerk and one municipal treasurer, all of whom shall be
elected at large, and alderpersons, the number of which shall be as follows: In
cities not exceeding 25,000 inhabitants, 8 alderpersons; between 25,001 and
40,000, 10 alderpersons; between 40,001 and 60,000, 14 alderpersons; between 60,001
and 80,000, 16 alderpersons; and exceeding 80,000, 20 alderpersons. Two alderpersons 
shall be elected to represent each ward.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-4) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-4)
Sec. 6-3-4. Terms
of office. 
All terms of office of officials elected pursuant to this Division 3 of
Article 6 shall be for terms of 4 years, except that alderpersons elected at
the first election for city officers held pursuant to this Article 6 shall
draw lots so that one-half of the alderpersons shall hold for a 4 year term,
and until their successors are elected and qualified, and one-half of the alderpersons
 shall hold for a 2 year term, and until their successors are
elected and qualified. All alderpersons thereafter elected shall hold office
for a term of 4 years, and until their successors are elected and have
qualified.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-5)
Sec. 6-3-5. Division into wards. 
Every city shall have as many wards as one-half the total number of alderpersons
 to which the city is entitled. The city council, from time to time
shall divide the city into that number of wards. In the formation of wards
the population of each ward as determined by the latest city, state or
national census shall be as nearly equal and the wards shall be of as
compact and contiguous territory, as practicable.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-6) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-6)
Sec. 6-3-6. Redistricting of city. Whenever an official publication of any national, state, school, or
city census shows that any city contains more or less wards than it is
entitled to, the city council of the city, by ordinance, shall
redistrict the city into as many wards only as the city is entitled.
This redistricting shall be completed not less than 30 days before
the first date on which candidate petitions may be filed
for the next succeeding general municipal election.
At this election there shall be elected the number of alderpersons to which
the city is entitled.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-7)
Sec. 6-3-7. Ward
division and election of alderpersons - validation. 
If, after a census is officially published, any city is divided into a
greater or lesser number of wards and has elected a greater or lesser
number of alderpersons than the city is entitled, nevertheless such division
and election shall be valid and all acts, resolutions and ordinances of the
city council of such city, if in other respects in compliance with law, are
valid.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-8) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-8)
Sec. 6-3-8. Resignation; vacancy. An alderperson may resign from his or her
office. A vacancy occurs in the office of alderperson by reason of resignation,
failure to elect or qualify, death, permanent physical or mental disability,
conviction of a disqualifying crime, abandonment of office, or removal from
office. If a vacancy occurs in the office of alderperson in one of these ways or
otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled as provided in Sections 3.1-10-50 and
3.1-10-55. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be made within 60 days after
the vacancy occurs.  The requirement that an appointment be made within 60 days
is an exclusive power and function of the State and is a denial and limitation
under Article VII, Section 6, subsection (h) of the Illinois Constitution of
the power of a home rule municipality to require that an appointment be made
within a different period after the vacancy occurs.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-9) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-9)
Sec. 6-3-9. Qualifications of mayor, city clerk, city treasurer and alderpersons
- eligibility for other office. 
No person shall be eligible to the office of mayor, city clerk, city
treasurer or alderperson:
(1) Unless he is a qualified elector of the     municipality and has resided therein at least one year next preceding his election or appointment; or
(2) Unless, in the case of alderpersons, he resides     within the ward for which he is elected; or
(3) If he is in arrears in the payment of any tax or     other indebtedness due to the city; or
(4) If he has been convicted in Illinois state courts     or in courts of the United States of malfeasance in office, bribery, or other infamous crime.
No alderperson shall be eligible to any office, except that of acting mayor
or mayor pro tem, the salary of which is payable out of the city treasury,
if at the time of his appointment he is a member of the city council.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-10) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-10)
Sec. 6-3-10. General elections - time for. 
The first general election pursuant to this Division 3 of Article 6
shall be held at the time the next general municipal election would have
been held had the municipality not adopted this Article 6. At the first
general election so held, one mayor, one municipal clerk, one municipal
treasurer shall be elected at large and two alderpersons shall be elected from
each ward.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-3-11) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-3-11)
Sec. 6-3-11. 
		Primary elections. 
		A primary election shall be held to nominate 2 candidates for each office.
Primary and general elections shall otherwise be conducted at such times
and in such manner as is provided in the general election law.
(Source: P.A. 81-1490.)
(65 ILCS 5/Art. 6 Div. 4 heading)
DIVISION 4.  
		FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF MAYOR,
COUNCIL AND OFFICERS
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-1)
Sec. 6-4-1. 
		Mayor.
The mayor shall be recognized as the official head of the city or
village by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process and by the
governor for all legal purposes.
The mayor of any city or village which adopts this Article 6 shall have
veto power as provided in Sections 6-4-2 through 6-4-4 and ordinances or
measures may be passed over his veto as therein provided. Such mayor shall
have the power to vote as provided in Section 6-4-5.
If any other act or any article of this Code other than Article 3 or
Article 4 provides for the appointment of a board, commission or other
agency by the mayor and the corporate authorities establish such board,
commission or agency, such appointments shall be made in manner so
provided.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-2)
Sec. 6-4-2. 
		Ordinances - Approval - Veto.
All ordinances passed by the council shall be deposited with the city or
village clerk. If the mayor approves of them, he shall sign them. Those of
which he disapproves he shall return to the council, with his written
objections, at the next regular meeting of the council occurring not less
than 5 days after their passage. The mayor may disapprove of any one or
more sums appropriated in any ordinance, resolution, or motion making an
appropriation, and, if so, the remainder shall be effective. However, the
mayor may disapprove entirely of an ordinance, resolution, or motion making
an appropriation. If the mayor fails to return any ordinance or any
specified resolution or motion with his written objections, within the
designated time, it shall become effective despite the absence of his
signature. The vote on every ordinance shall be by yeas and nays, and shall
be recorded in the journal.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-3)
Sec. 6-4-3. Reconsideration - passage over veto. 
Every ordinance, which is returned to the council by the mayor shall be
reconsidered by the council. If, after such reconsideration, three-fifths
of all the alderpersons then holding office on the city council agree to pass
an ordinance, resolution, or motion, notwithstanding the mayor's refusal to
approve it, then it shall be effective.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-4) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-4)
Sec. 6-4-4. Vote
of city council - reconsideration. 
No vote of the city council shall be reconsidered or rescinded at a
special meeting, unless there are present at the special meeting as many alderpersons
 as were present when the vote was taken.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-5)
Sec. 6-4-5. 
		(Repealed).
(Source: Repealed by P.A. 87-1119.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-6) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-6)
Sec. 6-4-6. 
		
		Powers
of council.
The powers of the council shall be purely legislative, except as may be
otherwise specifically provided by any other act or by any article of this
Code. The council shall approve for payment of all expenses and liabilities
of the municipality.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-7)
Sec. 6-4-7. 
		
		Mayor
- Powers and duties.
The powers and duties of the mayor shall be:
(1) To enforce the laws and ordinances within the municipality;
(2) To appoint and remove his administrative assistants, budget and
finance director, heads of all departments, and to appoint and remove all
other officers of the municipality, commissions, boards and agencies,
except those covered by the civil service act in municipalities which have
adopted said act and except as provided in Section 6-4-14. No appointment
shall be made upon any basis other than that of merit and fitness and in
compliance with provisions of this act and with qualifications established
by the city council.
(3) To exercise control of all departments and divisions thereof created
in this Article 6, or that may be created by the council;
(4) To attend all meetings of the council with the right to take part in
the discussions, but with no right to vote, except as authorized in Section
6-4-5;
(5) To recommend to the council for adoption such measures as he may
deem necessary or expedient;
(6) To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Article 6
or may be required of him by ordinance.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-8) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-8)
Sec. 6-4-8. 
		Departments and officers.
Under the general supervision and administrative control of the mayor,
there shall be such departments as the council may prescribe by ordinance.
All officers of any city or village shall take and subscribe the oath
required by Section 6-4-9.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-9) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-9)
Sec. 6-4-9. 
		Oaths.
Before entering upon the duties of their respective offices all
officers, whether elected or appointed, shall take and subscribe the
following oath:
I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United
States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will
faithfully discharge the duties of the office of .... according to the best
of my ability.
This oath, so subscribed, shall be filed in the office of the city or
village clerk.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-10) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-10)
Sec. 6-4-10. 
		First council-General ordinance.
At the first meeting of the council after this Article 6
becomes effective in any city or village, it shall pass a general ordinance
(1) amplifying the powers and duties of the mayor in conformity with this
Article 6, (2) defining the scope of each department and of each division
thereunder, (3) defining and prescribing the qualifications, powers and
duties of appointive officers and employees, (4) fixing the salaries of all
appointive officers and employees, (5) providing for independent audits of
all accounts of the city or village, which audits shall be conducted
independently of the mayor by some person selected by the council, (6)
repealing all city ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this
statute. Full reports of such audits shall be filed in the public records
of the city or village. The power with respect to such audits shall not be
construed to limit the responsibility of the mayor for the proper
expenditure of city or village funds.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-11) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-11)
Sec. 6-4-11. 
		Board of local improvements.
In any city or village adopting the strong mayor form of municipal
government, if such city or village has heretofore adopted or hereafter
adopts Division 2 of Article 9, the council shall by ordinance provide that
the board of local improvements be composed of the mayor and not less than
2 nor more than 4 members appointed by the mayor, which board shall have
all powers conferred and all duties imposed by Division 2 of Article 9.
Such members may be appointed from persons holding other offices or
positions in the government of the city or village.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-12) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-12)
Sec. 6-4-12. 
		Administrative assistant to mayor.
The mayor shall appoint one or more administrative assistants to assist
him in the direction of the operations of the various city departments and
agencies in cities of 50,000 or more population. Said administrative
assistant shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor, and shall have
qualifications equivalent to those of a city manager, which qualifications
shall be specified by ordinance by the city council and shall include
professional training and/or experience in the management and direction of
a wide range of administrative affairs of municipal government. The
administrative assistant to the mayor shall be solely answerable to the
mayor.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-13) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-13)
Sec. 6-4-13. 
		Budget and finance director. 
		The mayor in cities of 50,000 or more population shall appoint a budget
and finance director whose functions shall include the preparation, under
the direction of the mayor, of the annual municipal budget, the general
duties of budget director as provided by ordinance, and any
other financial duties allocated to the budget and finance director by order of
the mayor or by city
council ordinance. The budget and finance director shall serve
at the pleasure of the mayor. The
qualifications of a budget and finance director shall be outlined in an
ordinance by the city council and must include a broad background in
accounting (preferably municipal accounting), the ability to
evaluate and
establish systems and procedures, and administrative ability.
(Source: P.A. 87-1119.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-14) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-14)
Sec. 6-4-14. 
		
		Board
of fire and police commissioners.
The mayor shall appoint a board of fire and police commissioners who
shall have all the powers and duties enumerated in Sections 10-2.1-1
through 10-2.1-28 of this Code, as heretofore and hereafter amended.
(Source: P.A. 76-746.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-15) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-15)
Sec. 6-4-15. 
		(Repealed).
(Source: Repealed by P.A. 87-1119.)
(65 ILCS 5/6-4-16) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-4-16)
Sec. 6-4-16. 
		(Repealed).
(Source: Repealed by P.A. 87-1119.)
(65 ILCS 5/Art. 6 Div. 5 heading)
DIVISION 5.  
		COMPENSATION
(65 ILCS 5/6-5-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 6-5-1)
Sec. 6-5-1. Mayor,
clerk, treasurer and alderpersons. 
The mayor, clerk, treasurer and alderpersons elected under the provisions of
this Article 6 shall each receive for the performance of their respective
duties annual salaries fixed by the city council. Such salaries shall not
be increased or decreased during any term of office. They must be
established six months prior to general municipal elections at which such
officials are to be voted on.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)