Election Calendar 1997
Prepared by Peter M. Murphy, IAPD General Counsel
For the purposes of this calendar, "Local Election Official" means the clerk or secretary of a unit of local government or school district. "Business Day" means any day in which the office of an election authority, local election
official or the State Board of Election is open to the public for a minimum of seven hours. (10 ILCS 5/1-5)
The time within which any Act provided by the Election Code is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first
day and including the last, unless the last day is Saturday or Sunday or is a holiday as defined or fixed in any statute,
and then it shall also be excluded. If the day succeeding such Saturday or Sunday is also a holiday or a Saturday or
Sunday, then such succeeding day shall also be excluded.
CONSOLIDATED ELECTION
First Tuesday in April
April 1,1997
1996
Wednesday, OCTOBER 23, 1996
First day to circulate nomination papers
(must be original sheets signed by voters and
circulators) nonpartisan candidates for park
district boards and forest preserves who file
January 13-21, 1997—90 days preceding
the last day to file such papers. (10 ILCS 5/
10-4)
Thursday, NOVEMBER 14, 1996
First day notice of intention to file a petition
to create a political subdivision whose officers are to be elected, rather than appointed,
may be published in a newspaper within the
proposed political subdivision, or if none,
in a newspaper of general circulation within
the proposed territory. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)
Friday, DECEMBER 13, 1996
Last day to file petition (must contain original sheets signed by voters and circulators)
to create a political subdivision with the appropriate circuit court clerk. (10 ILCS 5/28-
2)
NOTE: Objections can be filed on or before the date of the hearing with the appropriate circuit court clerk. (10 ILCS 5/
28-4)
NOTE: If initial officers are to be elected
at the election for creation of a new unit
of government, candidates for such offices
shall file nominating papers 78-71 days
before such election. (10 ILCS 5/10-6)
NOTE: The circuit court clerk shall publish the hearing date for a public policy
petition filed in his/her office not later than
14 days after the petition is actually filed,
but at least 5 days before actual hearing
(Final order within 7 days of hearings.)
(10 ILCS 5/28-4)
Saturday, DECEMBER 14, 1996
Last day notice of intention to file a petition
to create a political subdivision whose officers are to be elected, rather than appointed,
may be published in a newspaper within the
proposed political subdivision, or if none,
in a newspaper of general circulation within
the proposed territory. (10 ELCS 5/28-2)
Friday, DECEMBER 20,1996
Last day to file objections to petition to create a political subdivision with the appropriate officer or board. (10 ILCS 5/28-4)
MONDAY, JANUARY 13,1997
First day for filing in office of the local election official or Board of Election Commissioners original nominating petitions (must
contain original sheets signed by voters and
circulators) for park districts and forest preserves. (10 ILCS 5/10-6(2); 10-6(6))
Monday, JANUARY 13,1997
Last day for filing petitions (must contain
original sheets signed by voters and circulator) for referenda for the submission of questions of public policy (local). (Exception:
proposition to create a political subdivision.)
(10 ILCS 5/28-2. 28-6,28-7)
Tuesday, JANUARY 21,1997
Last day to file objections to petitions for
referenda for the submission of questions
of public policy. (Exception: proposition
to create a political subdivision.) (10 ILCS
5/10-8, 28-4)
Tuesday, JANUARY 21,1997
Last day for filing in the office of the local
election official original nomination petitions for nonpartisan candidates in park districts and forest preserves.
NOTE; On August 14, 1997, Governor
Edgar signed legislation extending the
petition filing deadline by one day if the
deadline fell on a state holiday such as
Martin Luther King's birthday.
NOTE: Seven (7) days written notice of
the time and place for conducting lottery
for simultaneous filings as mentioned
above, shall be given by the local election
official or board of election commissioners to the county chairmen of the established parties and to each organization
of citizens within the election jurisdiction
entitled to have pollwatchers present at
the last consolidated election. We recommend notifying all candidates involved in
the lottery. (10 ILCS 5/10-6.2)
Tuesday, JANUARY 21,1997
Last day for filing a Statement of Economic
Interests with the county clerk as required
by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.
The receipt must be filed with the local election official or election authority who received the nomination papers. (10 ILCS 5/
10-5; 5 ILCS 420/4A)
Illinois Parks & Recreation • September/October 1996 • 13
Election Calendar 1997
Monday, JANUARY 27,1997
Last day for local governing boards to adopt
a resolution or ordinance to allow a binding
public question to appear on the ballot. (10
ILCS 5/28-2)
Tuesday, JANUARY 28, 1997
Last day for an individual who has filed for
2 or more incompatible offices to withdraw
from all but one of the offices with the local
election official or election authority. (10
ILCS 5/10-7)
Tuesday, JANUARY 28, 1997
Last day for filing objections to nomination
petitions of new political party, nonpartisan
and independent candidates and certificates
of nomination for established party caucus
candidates in the office of the local election
official or election authority. (10 ILCS 5/10-
8)
Thursday, JANUARY 30, 1997
Last day lottery shall be conducted by the
local election official when two or more petitions are received simultaneously for the
same office by more than one nonpartisan
candidate, as of the opening hour of the filing period (January 13, 1997). (10 ILCS 5/
10-6.2)
Thursday, JANUARY 30, 1997
Local election official shall conduct a lottery for established party placement on the
ballot when said parties nominate by caucus. (10 ILCS 5/7-60.1)
Thursday, JANUARY 30, 1997
Last day candidate may file withdrawal of
candidacy in the office of the local election
official. (10 ILCS 5/10-7, 65 ILCS 20/21-
29)
Thursday, JANUARY 30, 1997
Last day for the circuit court clerk and the
local election official to certify any question
of public policy to each election authority
having jurisdiction over the political subdivision. (10 ILCS 5/28-5)
Thursday, JANUARY 30, 1997
Last day for local election official to certify
offices and the names of candidates to appear on the Consolidated Election ballot to
the election authority. (10 ILCS 5/10-15)
Saturday, FEBRUARY 15, 1997
Last day for the election authority to have a
sufficient number of ballots printed and
available in his office for mailing to persons
in the United States Service or their spouse
and dependents and citizens temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the
United States. (10 ILCS 5/16-5.01)
Thursday, FEBRUARY 20, 1997
For the purpose of issuing pollwatcher credentials, the last day for civic organizations
and proposition proponents and opponents
to register their names and addresses and the
names and addresses of their principal officers with the proper election authority. (10
ILCS 5/17-23, 18-6)
Sunday, MARCH 2, 1997
First day for election authority to publish
notice of Consolidated Election and notice
of referenda. (May include a list of precinct
polling place addresses.) (10 ILCS 5/12-4,
12-5)
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1997
Last day for election authority to supply absentee materials to local election officials
who conduct in-person absentee voting. (10
ILCS 5/19-2.1)
Monday, MARCH 10, 1997
First day for local election official to conduct in-person absentee voting. (10 ILCS
5/19-2.1)
Saturday, MARCH 22, 1997
Last day for election authority to publish
notice of Consolidated Election and notice
of referenda. (May include a list of precinct
polling place addresses.) (10 ILCS 5/12-4,
12-5)
Tuesday, MARCH 25, 1997
Last day (by 5:00 P.M.) a person may file a
notarized declaration of intent to be a write-
in candidate with the proper election authority. (10 ILCS 5/17-16.1. 18-9.1)
NOTE: If a candidate whose name is
printed on the ballot dies after 5:00 P.M.,
the Declaration of Intent may be filed no
later than 12:00 noon on Monday, immediately preceding the Primary. Write-ins
shall be counted only for persons who
have filed the Declaration of Intent
Thursday, MARCH 27,1997
Last day for election authority to receive
application by mail from any registered voter
presently within the confines of the United
States, who expects to be absent from his
county of residence on election day and the
last day for the election authority to mail such
ballot. (10 ILCS 5/19-2)
NOTE: FIRST TIME VOTERS WHO
REGISTERED BY MAIL MUST VOTE
IN PERSON, EITHER ABSENTEE IN
PERSON VOTING OR AT THE POLLING PLACE. For exceptions, see 42 USC
1973gg-4(c) and SBE Rule, Title 26, Section 215.90.
NOTE: Certain situations other than absence from county of residence also permit application for absentee ballot to be
made. (10ILCS 5/19-3)
Friday, MARCH 28, 1997
Last day for election authority to have official ballots available for inspection by candidates or their agents. (10 ILCS 5/16-5)
Monday, MARCH 31, 1997
Last day for election authority in counties
having a population under 500,000 to publish a list of all the nominations that are to
be voted for at the Consolidated Election.
(10 ILCS 5/16-10)
CONSOLIDATED ELECTION
Tuesday, April 1, 1997
Thursday, APRIL 3, 1997
Last day for election authorities to transmit
election results to local election officials (2
days after election authority receives complete returns). (10 ILCS 5/17-22,18-14)
Friday, APRIL 4, 1997
Last day for local election official to transmit election results to canvassing board (24
hours after local election official receives
results). (10ILCS 5/17-22, 18-14)
Tuesday, APRIL 8, 1997
Last day for canvassing election results by
local canvassing board and the proclamation
of winners. (10 ILCS 5/22-17)
ABSTRACT OF VOTES
NOTE: Each local canvassing board shall
immediately transmit a signed copy or
original duplicate of its completed ab-
14 • Illinois Parks & Recreation • September/October 1996
Election Calendar 1997
stract of votes to each election authority
having jurisdiction over any of the territory of their respective political subdivision and one copy to the State Board of
Elections. (10 ILCS 5/22-18)
If a local canvassing board canvassed the
results of a public question submitted to
referendum by the circuit court, a signed
copy or a duplicate of the abstract of votes
shall be transmitted to the proper court,
separately. (10 ILCS 5/22-18)
AFTER PROCLAMATION
CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION
The election authority shall issue a certificate of election to each person declared
elected to an office by such local canvassing board. (10 ILCS 5/22-18)
For political subdivisions which are multi-county, the election authority of the county
where the principal office of the political
subdivision is located shall make the certificate of election. (10 ILCS 5/22-18)
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES
Each successful write-in candidate may file
a statement under oath and shall file a Statement of Candidacy and a receipt for filing
the Statement of Economic Interests with the
proper local election official or election authority within 5 days from the proclamation.
(10 ILCS 5/7-10, 7-10.1, 7-58, 7-60.1, 10-
5)
DISCOVERY RECOUNT
Within 5 days after the last day for proclamation, petitions for discovery recount may
be filed by any qualified individual. (10
ILCS 5/22-9.1)
NONPARTISAN ELECTION
First Tuesday After First
Monday in November
November 4, 1997
1997
Thursday, JUNE 19, 1997
First day notice of intention to file a petition
to create a political subdivision whose officers are to be elected, rather than appointed,
may be published in a newspaper within the
proposed political subdivision, or if none,
in a newspaper of general circulation within
the proposed territory. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)
Saturday, JULY 19, 1997
Last day notice of intention to file a petition
to create a political subdivision whose officers are to be elected, rather than appointed,
may be published in a newspaper within the
proposed political subdivision, or if none,
in a newspaper of general circulation within
the proposed territory. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)
NOTE: Objections may be filed on or
before the date of the hearing with the
appropriate circuit court clerk. (10 ILCS
5/28-4)
Monday, JULY 21, 1997
Last day to file petition (must contain original sheets signed by voters and circulators),
to create a political subdivision with the appropriate circuit court clerk. (10 ILCS 5/
28-2)
NOTE: If initial officers are elected at the
election for creation of a new unit of government, candidates for such offices shall
file nomination petitions 78-71 days before such election. (10 ILCS 5/10-6)
NOTE: The circuit court clerk shall publish the hearing date for a public Policy
petition filed in his/her office not later than
14 days after the petition is actually filed,
but at least 5 days before actual hearing.
(Final order within 7 days of hearing.) (10
ILCS 5/28-4)
Monday, JULY 28, 1997
Last day to file objections to petition to create a political subdivision with the appropriate officer or board. (10 ILCS 5/28-4)
Monday, AUGUST 18, 1997
Last day for filing of petitions (must contain
original sheets signed by voters and circulators) for the submission of public questions
to referenda. (Exception: proposition to
create a political subdivision.) (10 ILCS 5/
28-2, 28-6, 28-7)
Monday, AUGUST 25, 1997
Last day to file objections to petitions for
the submission of public questions to referenda. (Exception: proposition to create a
political subdivision.) (10 ILCS 5/28-4, 10-
8)
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 2, 1997
Last day for local governing boards to adopt
a resolution or ordinance to allow a binding
public question to appear on the ballot. (10
ILCS 5/28-2)
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 4, 1997
Last day for the circuit court clerk and the
local election official to certify any question
of public policy to the election authority
having jurisdiction over the political subdivision. (10 ILCS 5/28-5)
Sunday, OCTOBER 5, 1997
First day for election authority to publish
notice of Nonpartisan Election and notice of
referenda. (May include a list of precinct
polling place addresses.) (10 ILCS 5/12-4,
12-5)
Sunday, OCTOBER 12, 1997
Last day for election authority to supply absentee materials to local election officials
who conduct in-person absentee voting. (10
ILCS 5/19-2.1)
Monday, OCTOBER 13, 1997
First day for local election official to conduct in person absentee voting. (10 ILCS 5/
19-2.1)
Saturday, OCTOBER 25, 1997
Last day for election authority to publish
notice of Nonpartisan Election and notice of
referenda. (May include a list of precinct
polling place addresses.) (10 ILCS 5/12-4.
12-5)
NONPARTISAN ELECTION
Tuesday November 4, 1997
Thursday, NOVEMBER 6, 1997
Last day for election authorities to transmit
election results to local election officials (2
days after election authority receives complete returns). (10 ILCS 5/17-22,18-14)
Friday, NOVEMBER 7, 1997
Last day for election official to transmit election results to canvassing board (24 hours
after local election official receives results).
(10 ILCS 5/17-22, 18-14, 22-8)
Wednesday, NOVEMBER 12, 1997
Last day for canvassing election results by
local canvassing board and the proclamation
of winners. (10 ILCS 5/22-17,105 ILCS 5/
9-18)
Illinois Parks & Recreation • September/October 1996 • 15
