Submitted By
Paul Stephanides, Village Attorney
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
An Ordinance Authorizing the Submission of an Advisory Referendum Question Regarding Whether the Village of Oak Park Shall Defund its Police Department to Be Submitted to the Voters of the Village of Oak Park at the April 6, 2021 Consolidated Election
End
Overview
Trustee Moroney with a second from Trustee Andrews has requested the Village Board considered an advisory referendum question on the April 6, 2021 ballot with the question reading “Shall the Village of Oak Park defund its Police Department". The January 19, 2021 Village Board meeting is the last day under the statutory deadline for Village Board consideration of this matter.
Body
Staff Recommendation
This is a policy decision.
Fiscal Impact
The Village is precluded from expending Village Funds to advocate a position on a ballot question.
Background
Trustee Moroney, with a second from Trustee Andrews has requested the Village Board consider an advisory referendum question on the April 6, 2021 ballot, via a resolution by the Village Board and asked the question read as follows: "Shall the Village of Oak Park defund its police department".
Trustee Moroney additionally noted the Board has received a high volume of emails demanding that the Village Board "Defund the Oak Park Police Department".
On July 30, 2018, the Village Board adopted an ordinance to place an advisory referendum on the November 6, 2018 General Election Ballot asking voters “Shall the merger and consolidation of Oak Park taxing bodies be considered, including, but not limited to, the Village of Oak Park, Oak Park Township, the Oak Park Public Library and the Park District of Oak Park, to determine if there would be efficiencies, the elimination of redundancies and/or property tax reduction for the residents of Oak Park?”
Alternatives
The Village Board could seek additional information.
Previous Board Action
On July 30, 2018, the Village Board adopted an ordinance to place an advisory referendum on the November 6, 2018 General Election Ballot as detailed above.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A.