Last week, on the recommendation of Members at the October Legislative Committee, the Chamber’s board of directors voted to constitute a taskforce of directors to study whether to support or oppose the placing of a referendum question regarding how individuals are elected to the City Council.

“We’ve received interest from individuals on both sides of the issue on whether the Chamber supports or opposes the idea of having another referendum on this question,” said Tami Andrew, interim president & CEO. “Since our Members have asked, the board has agreed to look into the benefits and drawbacks of another referendum and share their thoughts with the community at large.”

At the October Legislative Committee, Members in attendance heard a point, counterpoint discussion on the merits of having another referendum question. The Chamber hasn’t yet taken a position on whether we support or oppose an additional referendum and the board charged a group of directors to analyze the benefits and drawbacks of having the voters weigh-in again.

“As Members we invest our time and energy into having a strong and effective advocacy program because we value the importance of educating the community on issues that affect the business climate and community, said Rosemarie Breske Garvey, chair of the Legislative Committee and co-chair of the board taskforce. “Like any issue, whether individuals agree or disagree with the Chamber’s findings or recommendations, we want to serve as a source of discussion for the community.”

The Chamber provided Members and the community extensive, balanced and well sourced research on the issues of aldermanic ward representation in 2010. These materials were produced after ample discussion with Members at the Legislative Committee over several months and remain accessible online at: http://naper.cc/a6WOM1.

Voters in 2010 approved the referendum question calling for the creation of a hybrid system of electing city council members, with five elected from aldermanic wards and three elected via an at-large election and the mayor. Since the election the City of Naperville has drawn ward maps and all candidates running for the 2013 election are running for an abbreviated two-year term.

The board voted unanimously to create this taskforce of directors. Members wishing to share their thoughts with the group should contact Tami Andrew at 630-544-3356 or tandrew@naperville.net, or the Chamber’s vice president of advocacy, Patrick Skarr at 630-544-3368 or pskarr@naperville.net.