HB1278 Summary

• Changes the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District corporate authority from nine trustees to 9 commissioners elected from the same geographical subdistricts as Cook County Board of Review members.

• Phases in subdistrict elections across three general elections: first subdistrict in 2012, second subdistrict in 2014, and third subdistrict in 2016.

• Authorizes cumulative voting for commissioners, allowing each elector to cast up to 3 votes for one candidate or distribute them equally among up to 3 candidates.

• Changes commissioner terms from uniform 6-year terms to a staggered combination of 2-year and 4-year terms beginning in 2018.

• Modifies vacancy procedures so the Governor appoints replacements for the remainder of the term if 28 or fewer months remain, or until the next general election if more than 28 months remain.