IL HB3656

Creates the Municipal Home Rule Charter Act, allowing home rule municipalities with populations over 500,000 to adopt a charter as their organic law governing municipal affairs

Requires a two-thirds vote of the municipality's entire legislative body to create a charter commission, with commission members equal in number to the legislative body and elected at the next general election

Charter commission members must be registered voters, have resided in the municipality for at least 1 year, and be 18 years old; they receive salary equal to the lowest-earning municipal legislator

Commission must prepare a charter within one year of its first organizing meeting, approved by a majority of commissioners, then submit it to voters at the next general election where it requires 60% approval to pass

Charter language takes precedence over state law when in conflict, unless the state law specifically applies to home rule or charter municipalities; charters must be consistent with the Illinois and U.S. Constitutions