Summer of 2026 is upon us, and election season is kicking
off as spirited candidates, trusted election authorities, and municipalities
across Illinois seek to address a host of complex issues. Local election
officials and electoral boards have many responsibilities to make elections
happen, from processing nomination papers to convening quasi-adjudicative
hearings. Meanwhile, local governments must navigate the enforcement of
political sign regulations, electioneering laws, and the strict rules governing
the use of public funds in referenda.
To help listeners tackle these issues, Ancel Glink’s Erin Monforti and Katie Nagy revisit classic insights from equity partner Keri-Lyn Krafthefer and provide vital updates for the 2027 Consolidated Election cycle. What issues does your local government face during election season? Email us at podcast@ancelglink.com.
In This Episode
- Independent
vs. Nonpartisan Candidates: Understand the critical legal distinctions
between these two types of candidates and how they appear on the ballot.
- The
2027 Election Timeline: Key dates for the February 23, 2027,
Consolidated Primary and the April 6, 2027, Consolidated Election,
including petition circulation and filing windows.
- Objection
Procedures & "Business Days": How to calculate the
five-business-day objection deadline, especially with the Thanksgiving
2026 holiday.
- Electoral
Board Mechanics: A deep dive into the "24-hour call" rule,
the composition of the board, and the requirement to deliberate in open
session.
- Strategic
Scheduling: Practical advice for clerks on the "strategic
receipt" of objection petitions to ensure boards can meet within
statutory deadlines.
- Setting
Compensation: Why local governments must set compensation for newly
elected officials at least 180 days before their terms begin.
- New
Laws: Updates on Public Act 104-443 (redacting candidate addresses)
and Public Act 104-438 (prohibiting meetings on election days).
- Public
Funds & Referenda: Guidelines on what constitutes "factual
information" versus prohibited advocacy when units of local
government are involved in public questions.
- FOIA & Arrest Records: A review of PAC Opinion 26-006 regarding the public’s right to access arrest records involving public figures.
Resources
- PAC
Finds Police Department Violated FOIA in Withholding Investigative Records
- It’s
Time to Establish Elected Officials’ Compensation for Terms Starting in
2025
- Special
Considerations About Establishing Compensation of Elected Officials
- 2027 Illinois State Board of Elections “Running for Office” Directory
Credits
- Producer:
Daniel J. Bolin, Kathleen Hynan
- Executive
Producer: Keri-Lyn
Krafthefer
- Chair:
Erin Monforti
- Guest:
Katherine Nagy
- Engineers: Ricardo Perez, Matt Smith
Disclaimer: This podcast is provided as a service to
our public and private sector clients and friends. It is intended to provide
timely general information of interest but should not be considered a
substitute for legal advice. Read our full disclaimer: www.ancelglink.com/disclaimers.
