HB2397 Summary: Chicago Officer Recall Act (Laquan McDonald Law)

• Establishes recall election procedures for the Mayor of Chicago, Chicago aldermen, and the Cook County State's Attorney, requiring petitions signed by at least 10% of votes cast for Mayor, 10% for aldermen, and 5% for State's Attorney in the preceding election.

• Requires a 6-month waiting period after an official takes office before a recall petition can be filed, with signatures collected within 150 days of filing notice of intent; certified petitions trigger special recall elections within 60 days.

• If an official is recalled by majority vote, successor elections are held 60 days later with candidates nominated by petition (12,500 signatures for Mayor, 500 for aldermen, 20,000 for State's Attorney), followed by runoff elections if no candidate achieves a majority.

• Prohibits new recall petitions against the same official for 6 months following a failed recall election and voids any pending recall petitions on the date of the next regularly scheduled election for that office.

• Takes effect immediately upon becoming law and supersedes any conflicting provisions of existing law.