Governor James R. Thompson approved H.B. 2554 which extends the effective date for consolidation of local elections to December 1, 1980. Park District elections in 1979 will be conducted in the same manner as in previous years.

The following election schedule for General Park Districts and Pleasure Driveway and Park Districts was reviewed and approved by the Illinois State Board of Elections:

Date of Election April 3, 1979		Date of Election April 17, 1979
Dec. 26, 1978	First day absent electors in United States Service or dependents may make application for official ballot (Ch. 46, Ill. Rev. Stat., Sec. 20-2)	Jan. 8, 1979
Jan. 8, 1979	First day for filing petitions (Filed with the Secretary of the District) (Ch, 105, Sec. 2-11)	Jan. 8, 1979
Jan. 22, 1979	Last day for filing petitions (Ch. 105, Sec. 2-11)	Jan. 22, 1979
Jan. 27, 1979	Last day for filing withdrawals from nomination (Ch. 105, Sec. 2-11)	Jan. 27, 1979
Jan. 27, 1979	Last day for Secretary to certify nomination (Ch. 105,Sec.2-11)(Ch.46,Sec. 10-6)	Jan. 27, 1979
Jan. 27, 1979	Last day for filing objections to certificates of nomination, or nomination papers (Ch. 46, Sec. 10-8)	Jan. 27, 1979
Feb. 22, 1979	First day absentee voter may file application for ballot (Ch. 46, Sec. 19-2)	March 8, 1979
March 24, 1979	Last day for posting and publishing notices of election (Ch. 105, Sec. 2-12)	April 7, 1979
March 29, 1979	Last day to apply for absentee voter's ballot by mail (Ch. 46, Sec. 19-2)	April 12, 1979
April 2, 1979	Last day to apply in person for absentee voter's ballot (Ch. 46, Sec. 19-2)	April 16, 1979
April 2, 1979	Last day for publication in newspaper of list of nominees (Ch. 46, Sec. 16-10)	April 16, 1979
April 3, 1979	Election Day	April 17, 1979

The following information should be carefully noted in connection with the conduct of 1979 elections:

(a) A candidate for elective office shall file his statement not later than the end of the period during which he can take the action necessary under the laws of this State to attempt to qualify for nomination, election, or retention to such office if he has not filed a statement in relation to the same unit of government within a year preceding such action. Since an incumbent park commissioner was required under the provisions of the Ethics Act to file annually a statement of Economic Interest prior to April 30 of each year, it is presumed that any incumbent filing a nominating petition will have previously filed such a statement and would not be required to file an additional statement at the same time of filing his nominating petition. If any incumbent had failed, however, to file such, a statement should be filed at the time of filing his nominating petition.

Public Act 78-1183 adopted at the 1974 regular session of the General Assembly (Ch. 46, Ill. Rev. Stat. .1975, Sec. 10-6) provides as follows:

7. The State Board of Elections or the appropriate clerk with whom such a petition for nominations is filed shall notify the person for whom a petition for nomination has been filed of the obligation to file statements of organization, reports of campaign contributions, and annual reports of campaign contributions and expenditures under Article 9 of this Act. Such notices shall be given on a form prescribed by the State Board of Elections, sent by certified mail (delivered to addressee only, return receipt requested) within 2 business days of the day and hour endorsed on the petition, and accompanied by a form for filing the statement of organization and a manual of instructions supplied by the Board. The Board or the appropriate clerk stall preserve the receipts returned under this paragraph for a period of 2 years from the date of receipt.

Because of the numerous changes in the election law and the requirements in connection with the filing of "Statements of Economic Interest" and "Campaign Organization Disclosure" documents, election procedures followed by each park district should be carefully

Illinois Parks and Recreation 3 November/December, 1978

checked with both the local attorney for the park district, as well as the County Clerk or Board of Elections of the County involved. Forms and materials relative to the requirements under these provisions must be secured through the office of the County Clerk.

Note is to be made that a new Section 2-13a effective July 1, 1976 authorizes the candidates to appoint in writing one or two agents to act as challengers or watchers in each polling place. This Section reads as follows:

2-13a. Challengers or watchers within the polling place—Appointment by candidates. Section 2-13a. Any of the candidates may appoint, in writing over their signature, one or two agents or representatives who shall act as challengers or watchers for the respective candidates in each polling place. The challengers or watchers shall be protected in the discharge of their duties by the election judges and peace officers and shall be permitted to remain within the polling place in such position as will enable them to see each person as he offers his vote, and the challengers or watchers may remain within the polling place throughout the canvass of the vote in such position as will enable them to see the canvass and until the returns are signed. All challengers shall be qualified electors within the Park District and shall have the same powers as challengers at general elections. Watchers may serve in any polling place in the district in which they reside and shall have the same powers as watchers at general elections.

Regulation 6-4, State Board of Elections. For Park District general elections, challengers and watchers shall hereinafter be classified as "pollwatchers." The qualification and allowable number of pollwatchers for a Park District election shall be:

1. Candidates are permitted two pollwatchers per percinct. Such pollwatchers must be registered as voters as required by the Illinois Election Code in the Park District in which they are pollwatching.

2. A qualified civic organization, which has among its purpose the investigation or persecution of election fraud, is entitled to one pollwatcher per precinct. Such pollwatcher must be registered as a voter as required by the Illinois Election Code in the Park District in which he is pollwatching.

3. Organized proponents of a ballot proposition are entitled to one pollwatcher per precinct. Organized opponents of a ballot proposition are entitled to one pollwatcher per precinct. Such proponent and opponent organizations must be registered with the election authority. Such proponent and opponent pollwatchers must be registered as voters as required by the Illinois Election Code in the Park District in which they are pollwatchers.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 14 November/December, 1978