Politics & Government

Guv Signs Bill, Przybylo Can Run For Mayor

Gov. Quinn signed a bill that would permit liquor license holders such as Niles Trustee Andrew Przybylo to run for mayor.

 

Until now, Illinois law did not permit Niles Trustee Andrew Przybylo to run for mayor, because, as co-owner of White Eagle Banquets in Niles, he is a liquor license holder.

On Friday, however, Gov. Patrick Quinn signed a bill that would permit liquor license holders to run for mayoral office.

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The new law (full text here) says that a mayor who is also a liquor license holder must direct the town's board of trustees to appoint a liquor commissioner, and that the mayor must have no influence or input into that decision. The law also requires the commissioner to be an attorney who does not represent any alcohol interests in his practice. 

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"The question now is, do I want to run as mayor. I haven't answered that yet. I have two issues outstanding," Przybylo said.

Even if Przybylo does decide to run in the spring 2013 election, an effort by a group of Niles citizens to may prevent him from running.

Over the summer, the citizens gathered 1,018 signatures of Niles voters on a petition asking that a referendum requiring term limits for Niles elected officials be placed on the ballot. 

The , but the to get it on the ballot. 

The referendum would ask voters if they want to limit the terms of Niles elected officials (including mayor and trustees) to a total of 16 years. Since Przybylo has already served more than that (since 1989), he would be prevented from running if the initiative were to make it onto the ballot and pass.

Only one person, Niles Trustee Joe LoVerde, has for mayor in 2013. LoVerde has served on the board for five years, so if the village enacted term limits, he would not be disqualified.

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