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CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday, August 16, 2012
6 p.m.
CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
Fleetwood-Jourdain Center
1655 Foster Street, Evanston, IL
ORDER OF BUSINESS
I. Roll Call – Begin with Alderman Fiske
II. Citizen Comment (15 minutes)
III. Resolution 62-R-12, Initiating and Authorizing an Advisory
Referendum Concerning a U.S. Constitutional Amendment Regarding
Political Contributions from Corporations
IV. Adjournment
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For Special City Council meeting of August 16, 2012 Item III
Resolution 62-R-12 Advisory Referendum Re: U.S. Constitutional Amendment
For Action
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Ken Cox, Assistant City Attorney
Subject: Resolution 62-R-12, Initiating and Authorizing an Advisory Referendum
Concerning a U.S. Constitutional Amendment Regarding Political
Contributions from Corporations
Date: August 14, 2012
Recommended Action:
Alderman Burrus requests consideration of Resolution 62-R-12 Authorizing an Advisory
Referendum Concerning a U.S. Constitutional Amendment Regarding Political
Contributions from Corporations.
Funding Source:
N/A
Summary:
Adoption of Resolution 62-R-12 would place an advisory question on the November 6,
2012 ballot, asking voters whether the U.S. Constitution should be amended to permit
the federal and state governments to limit political contributions from corporations.
Legislation initiating an advisory question must be adopted not less than 79 days before
a regular election (10 ILCS 5/28-2(c)). For the November 6, 2012 general election, the
deadline is Monday, August 20, 2012.
Legislative History:
On May 14, 2012, the City Council adopted Resolution 40-R-12, expressing opposition
to the U.S. Supreme Court’s holding in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
(558 U.S. 50 (2010)) that governmental restrictions on corporate donations to political
campaigns violated First Amendment guarantees of free speech.
Attachments:
Resolution 62-R-12
Memorandum
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8/13/2012
62-R-12
A RESOLUTION
Initiating and Authorizing an Advisory Referendum
Concerning a U.S. Constitutional Amendment
Regarding Political Contributions from Corporations
WHEREAS, pursuant the Illinois Election Code, 10 ILCS 5/28-1, et seq.,
and the Illinois Municipal Code, 65 ILCS 5/1-1-8, the corporate authorities of a
municipality have the authority to submit a public question to the electors of the
municipality by means of a referendum; and
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby intends to submit to the residents of
Evanston a public question of city-wide significance,
WHEREAS, the City Council believes it is in the best interest of the
residents of Evanston to move as expeditiously as possible to submit this proposition to
the voters at the general election to be held on November 6, 2012,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT:
SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals are hereby found as fact and
incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Evanston does hereby initiate
and authorize the following public question, to be submitted to the voters of the entire
City of Evanston at the next regularly-scheduled election after the effective date of this
resolution, which shall take place on November 6, 2012:
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62-R-12
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Shall the U.S. Congress pass a bill, to be duly ratified by three-fourths (¾)
of the states, adopting an amendment to the U.S. Constitution,
empowering the federal government and the states to regulate and limit
political contributions from corporations?
□ Yes □ No
SECTION 3: The City Clerk of the City of Evanston shall certify the public
question herein to the proper election authorities in accordance with Article 28 of the
Election Code.
SECTION 4: This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after
the date of its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.
_______________________________
Elizabeth B. Tisdahl, Mayor
Attest:
______________________________
Rodney Greene, City Clerk
Adopted: __________________, 2012
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