Overview
- The Municipal Home Rule Charter Act, introduced by State Rep. Kam Buckner, was revived for public discussion in an out-of-session Illinois House Executive Committee hearing Tuesday and is still under consideration.
- Under the bill, Chicago voters would elect 10 nonpartisan charter commissioners who would choose an 11th chair to draft a charter that would only take effect if a majority of Chicago voters approve it at the November 2030 general election.
- Backers, including Joe Ferguson of the Civic Federation, argue a city charter would create an enforceable governing framework to improve transparency, limit concentrated mayoral control over council committee appointments, and strengthen fiscal checks.
- Critics, such as Rep. Theresa Mah, question the need for a charter given existing state statutes and municipal ordinances and say the proposal must show it will not simply duplicate current law.
- If advanced by lawmakers and approved by voters, the charter process could change how Chicago sets rules on budgeting, oversight, and executive power, and the next steps for the proposal will depend on legislative votes, public outreach, and political negotiations in Springfield and the city.