* Almost two years ago to the day…
Former Gov. Pat Quinn has launched a petition drive to impose a term limit for Chicago mayors and create an elected consumer advocate position.
The Chicago Democrat announced efforts Sunday, tipping his hat to his past signature drives.
If he gets enough signatures, the two referendums could be on ballots as early as November. However, Quinn says getting nearly 53,000 valid signatures before an Aug. 8 [2016] deadline would be challenging.
The petition calls for a two-term maximum. If approved in time, Mayor Rahm Emanuel wouldn’t be eligible to seek a third term in 2019.
* Sneed today…
“We need 100,000 signatures by the filing deadline August 6 to get the referendum on the November 6 ballot — and we are halfway there already with 50,000 signatures,” [Pat Quinn] said.
So, he’s managed to collect 50,000 signatures in two years and now he wants to double that number in the next two months?
* Media advisory…
UPDATED: ADVISORY: PAT QUINN: Grassroots Petition Drive for Nov. 6 Binding Referendum to Term Limit Chicago’s Mayor Passes Halfway Mark in Signatures
WHEN: Thursday, June 7, 11 am
WHERE: Methodist Temple – 2nd Floor
77 W. Washington, Chicago
RE: Grassroots Petition Drive for Nov. 6 Binding Referendum to Term Limit Chicago’s Mayor Passes Halfway Mark in Signatures
Mighty Volunteer Effort Needed to Meet 100,000 Signature Goal by August 6 Filing Deadline for the November 6 Election
Of the 10 largest cities in the United States, only Chicago does not have a term limit on its mayor.
Mayoral term limits are the best way to achieve true campaign finance reform and open up City Hall for more democracy.
The term limit referendum will spark a citywide debate on the structure and fairness of politics and government in Chicago.
The November 6 voter referendum to impose term limits on the mayor would be the first initiative and binding referendum in Chicago’s 181-year history.
If mayoral term limits are approved by the voters on November 6, the incumbent mayor would be ineligible to run in the February 26, 2019 mayoral election.
The Take Charge Chicago referendum on mayoral term limits reads as follows: “Shall Chicago adopt the following term limit for the office of Mayor effective for the mayoral election in 2019 and thereafter: No person may hold the office of Mayor for more than two consecutive elected 4-year terms (with all prior consecutive terms of the current officeholder counted in determining the term limit for that officeholder)?”
Voters in 21 Illinois communities have used binding referendums to impose term limits on their mayors, including Springfield, Naperville, Oak Lawn, Des Plaines, and Lombard.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:13 am:
Speaking of not going away…
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:14 am:
This happened in Broadview in 2016, and it was applied to the incumbent Mayor even though it passed during the middle of petition season, so by that precedent it would keep Rahm from running in 2019
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:17 am:
47th beat me to it. LOL
- ruce brauner - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:25 am:
What is the actual valid signature requirement to get on the ballot?
- Amalia - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:25 am:
yes, like there are so many stellar people running for Mayor of Chicago.
- asbestos in stratton - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:30 am:
I guess Quinn is bored already after getting spanked in the AG race. Anything to try and stay relevant.
- Former Downstater - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:33 am:
Classic Quinn. Trying to limit the ability of others to run for office while constantly running for something himself, but not being liked well enough to stay in any one position for limits to apply to him. Go away
- Mod Dem - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:40 am:
Not about Quinn…about referendum…and I applaud anyone who tries to use legal means to create change they believe in. This is not to be mocked, it should be appreciated. I wish others who seem to complain about something, actually tried to do something like get 100,000 signatures to try to change it.
- Perrid - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:45 am:
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can,…”
The little former Governor who could (?)
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:50 am:
Have all of Rahm’s opponents volunteered yet?
- PJ - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:54 am:
No issue under the sun Pat Quinn won’t start a petition drive for
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 11:55 am:
–No issue under the sun Pat Quinn won’t start a petition drive for–
There is one. Anything that would directly affect him.
- DuPage - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 12:12 pm:
Dear Mr. Quinn, the voters have the ability to limit terms of all elected offices. It is called an election. You experienced it yourself when you were not re-elected.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 12:13 pm:
–..and create an elected consumer advocate position.–
Wonder if Quinn has anyone in mind for that gig?
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 12:14 pm:
He should term limit the city council and cut the total number in half
- Contract Disputin' - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 12:19 pm:
I’m not a fan of the effort, but if CTU got behind it …
- Obamas Puppy - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 12:21 pm:
Have you paid your son back the $250k? Go away Pat Quinn please just go away.
- LakeviewJ - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 12:43 pm:
via GIPHY
- Paul - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 12:54 pm:
Term limits do undermine democracy. Voters need to get involved or they get the government they endorsed by apathy. Term limits is unstable and empowers the corporate interests and lobbyists - it’s not for the common people. Quinn should just retire and give it a rest.
- Not It - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 1:16 pm:
Pat Quinn is the text book example of the need for term limits. Go away, dude.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 1:28 pm:
Wordslinger clearly had the same thoughts I did regarding the public advocate position
Also there is something to be said (though I’m not sure what), about a guy who’s appeared on the state-wide democratic primary ballot every 4 years since 1990 advocating for term limits
- RoscoeRatMatt - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 1:29 pm:
He should term limit the city council and cut the total number in half
I’m for this, but I’m also for mayoral term limits in Chicago. Too bad Quinn doesn’t have this available online for sign-up; with digital ads, I’d imagine he’d get his 100K with little issue.
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 1:30 pm:
We term limit the US President. Many governors are term limited. Entrenched executive power can hide corruption and self dealing. So I support the general concept of executive term limits. I don’t live in Chicago now, so my opinion doesn’t count.
Candidates running against Rahm should back this. It sounds like good governance and takes out a major competitor.
- Quinnovich - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 1:39 pm:
All this time and Quinn hasn’t figured out one can be term-limited by elections.
- Smitty Irving - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 1:44 pm:
Anonymous 1:28
and the 1996 primary election against Dick Durbin to replace Paul Simon.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 1:54 pm:
Remember that PQ was responsible for the 1980 Cutback Amendment, which was sold as punishment to the GA for voting themselves a big pay raise but ultimately led to much greater consolidation of power in the majority/minority leaders. He knows how to demagogue an issue.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 2:00 pm:
–Also there is something to be said (though I’m not sure what), about a guy who’s appeared on the state-wide democratic primary ballot every 4 years since 1990 advocating for term limits–
1986, Treasurer primary Donnewald, Cosentino and Quinn.
- Quinnovich - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 2:21 pm:
=He knows how to demagogue an issue.=
Squeezy is dead, Long live Squeezy (exclamation pt.)
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 2:23 pm:
==What is the actual valid signature requirement to get on the ballot?==
52,519
- Ken_in_Aurora - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 2:55 pm:
Thanks a lot, Rich - thanks to your lede now I can’t get that cheesy Manfred Mann song out of my head…
- Shytown - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 3:36 pm:
This is going nowhere given that Quinn has been very successful at not being mighty at anything. Just desperate to stay relevant.
- Joe Biden Was Here - Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 4:09 pm:
PQ was at the Thompson Center this afternoon asking for signatures on his petition. From a distance I thought it was Bernie Sanders but alas it was only Pat Quinn.
- Free Blago - Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 6:13 am:
Where do I sign?