On February 23, the Illinois House Elections & Campaign Reform Committee passed HB 6000, which makes ballot access substantially worse for candidates for Chicago Alderperson (the office that in most cities is called City Council). The committee vote was 5-4. The bill hasn’t received a vote on the House floor yet.

The office is non-partisan. Existing law requires a petition signed by 2% of the last vote cast, which now varies between 87 signatures and 428 signatures. The bill would required 500 valid signatures. Also, the bill says that no voter may sign for more than a single candidate. Current law has no such restriction.

The ban on signing for more than a single candidate is particularly damaging when the party organization backs one particular candidate and puts its muscle behind that candidate. The organization is capable of getting thousands of residents of one particular ward to sign for its favored candidate. This means that other candidates are deprived of a pool of eligible signers. The Illinois Green Party is publicizing this bill and spearheading opposition. Thanks to Patrick Kelly for this news.