Niles Term Limits Question Quashed, for Now

The challenge to the lack of term limits for elected officials will not go forward, for now.  

That after Village Clerk, Marlene Victorine, determined she could not certify a petition submitted by resident Joe Makula, based on requirements of the Illinois Election Code.  

"After reviewing the petition as well as reviewing it with our attorney, it was found to be non-compliant with Illinois Election Code requirements and I am not able to certify it for the upcoming November election," Victorine said. 

In a letter to Makula dated Aug. 8, issues Victorine cited included that the petition "stated an incorrect standard for determining the number of signatures required."

Victorine also stated the petitions submitted failed to certify, "the person circulating the petition was 18 years of age of older", "the signatures on the sheet were signed in the circulator's presence" and "that the signatures were genuine." 

The deadline to resumit the petition in line with election code standards was Aug. 6, Victorine said. 

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Below is Makula's written response to the decision, provided to Patch:

In not meeting and certifying the Petition for Term Limits in Niles you are trampling on over 1000 Registered Voters in Niles requesting to put this on the Ballot. You are also not giving 16,000 other voters the opportunity for their voices [Vote] to be heard on this issue. You are in effect stealing as many as 17000 votes. Is this what you are and want? Voting is one of the most priceless cornerstones of our Democracy and collective heritage in this country, at all levels of Government. Your failure to recognize this is unforgiveable and your actions border on the criminal.

There is nothing illegal in these petitions and no good reason to keep these off the ballot. Common Sense shows they meet all the Standards and Qualifications required. Certify this Referendum now and let the Voters decide this issue on how they wish to be Governed.                 

Victorine said the petitions could again be considered, and if completed according to IEC, a referendum could make it onto the April ballot. 

"I think this is an important issue," Victorine said. 

Makula said he is unfettered by the recent developments.

"April is really, just around the corner," he said.