SPRINGFIELD, Ill. � Lawmakers could soon approve a to require local governments to post every vacancy for elected officials. The sponsor says this is all about transparency.
Under this plan, officials must post vacancies on the local government website as well as the county’s website. Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) says many have seen situations where a position opens up on a board and officials quickly fill it before anyone knows about the vacancy.
Her proposal could allow people to become more engaged in the process. Costa Howard said people could apply for the position or just know about changes in their local government.
“This bill does not impose any restrictions on how the vacancy is filled, only that there is notice to the public that this vacancy has actually occured,� Costa Howard explained.
An amendment to this bill could require vacancies posted for 15 days before filling an elected position.
This plan passed out of the Senate unanimously last month. It still needs to move out of the House Ethics and Elections Committee before a vote on the floor.
