A. 
Membership. Effective May 1, 2007, the City Council shall be composed of a Mayor elected at large and nine Aldermen (also sometimes referred to within the City Code and City as Council member(s), alderperson, Alderman, alderwomen and/or alderwoman). For the terms of office commencing on and after May 1, 2023, one Council member shall be elected for a four-year term from each of wards 2, 4, 6 and 8 as described in Subsection B of this section; the Council member must live in the ward from which he or she is elected. For the terms of office commencing on and after May 1, 2025, one Council member shall be elected for a four-year term from each of wards 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 as described in Subsection B of this section; the Council member must live in the ward from which he or she is elected. The Mayor shall be elected for a four-year term of office commencing on or after May 1, 2013.
[Ord. No. 2019-34; amended 7-25-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-69]
B. 
Ward boundaries. The nine wards of the City shall consist of the following territory:
[Amended by Ord. No. 2011-54; 7-25-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-69]
(1) 
Ward 1: The territory included in Precincts 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 46 as determined by Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners in effect as of July 25, 2022.
(2) 
Ward 2: The territory included in Precincts 2, 13, 35, 45, 47 and 52 as determined by Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners as of the effective date of this Ordinance.
(3) 
Ward 3: The territory included in Precincts 10, 25, 37, 42, 50 and 51 as determined by Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners in effect as of July 25, 2022.
(4) 
Ward 4: The territory included in Precincts 1, 8, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29 and 30 as determined by Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners in effect as of July 25, 2022.
(5) 
Ward 5: The territory included in Precincts 3, 15, 16, 31, 32 and 39 as determined by Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners in effect as of July 25, 2022.
(6) 
Ward 6: The territory included in Precincts 6, 9, 12 and 23 as determined by Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners in effect as of July 25, 2022.
(7) 
Ward 7: The territory included in Precincts 4, 5, 7, 26 and 41 as determined by Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners in effect as of July 25, 2022.
(8) 
Ward 8: The territory included in Precincts 11, 33, 40, 44 and 48 as determined by Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners in effect as of July 25, 2022.
(9) 
Ward 9: The territory included in Precincts 14, 34, 36, 38, 43 and 49 as determined by the Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners in effect as of July 25, 2022.
C. 
Newly annexed properties. All property annexed to the City of Bloomington and, therefore, not included in descriptions of perimeter established by the Board of Election Commissioners, shall without further action of the City Council become a part of the ward to which it is contiguous, unless it is contiguous to more than one ward, in which case, the Ordinance annexing such property to the City of Bloomington shall specify the ward or wards to which said property shall be added.
[Ord. No. 1991-89]
D. 
Inauguration date. All members of the City Council elected at a consolidated municipal election, upon qualifying, shall take office on the May I following their election.
[Ord. No. 1981-29]
E. 
Candidates for elected offices of the City of Bloomington (Mayor and Council member) may not run or hold themselves out to be candidates of or nominated or endorsed by political parties. Ballots including primary ballots, for Bloomington municipal elections shall be in the form provided by the Election Code of the State of Illinois (111. Rev. Stat. ch. 46[1]) as heretofore and hereafter amended, except as herein otherwise provided, but such ballots shall designate no party, platform, political principle, appellation, or mark whatever. Nor shall any circle be printed at the head of the ballots. (Ordinance No. 1981-90 - approved by referendum on November 22, 1982)
[Ord. No. 2019-34]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 10 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq.
F. 
No primary election will be held with respect to any elective office of the City of Bloomington (Mayor or Council members) for which the names of not more than two persons are entitled to be printed on the primary ballot as a candidate for the nomination for such office, and such persons having filed the statement of candidacy and petition required by the Election Code of the State of Illinois (111. Rev. Stat. ch. 46[2]) as heretofore or hereafter amended shall be the candidates for office at the general municipal election. (Ordinance No. 1981-90 - approved by referendum on November 22, 1982)
[Ord. No. 2019-34]
[2]
Editor's Note: See 10 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq.
G. 
Each Council member shall designate to the City Clerk whether they would like the title of alderperson, Alderman or alderwomen designated on City nameplates, business cards and documents. In addition, the Mayor and each Council member may designate any pronouns they would like to associate with their name on said nameplates, business cards and documents.
[Ord. No. 2019-34]
A. 
Beginning September 2018, regular meetings of the City Council of the City of Bloomington shall be held on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the hour of 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Hall in the City of Bloomington, Illinois, or at such other place in said City as the Council shall designate; provided, however, that should any such regular meeting fall upon any holiday recognized by and under the laws of the United States or the State of Illinois, then said regular meeting so falling on said holiday shall be held on the day following such regular meeting date at the same hour and at the place aforesaid.
[Ord. No. 2018-70]
B. 
An adjourned meeting may be held for the purpose of completing the unfinished business of a regular meeting at such time as may be determined by the Council.
[Ord. No. 2011-63]
C. 
On the third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m., the City Council shall meet as a Committee of the Whole. The agenda for such meeting shall be prepared by the City Manager in consultation with the Mayor. A portion of the meeting shall be dedicated to previewing upcoming non-routine agenda items, including a standing item for the consideration of Agenda Initiatives as set forth in § 2-210A(2). A time for public comment shall be conducted the manner set forth in § 2-501 of this chapter. No final action, beyond action on setting future agenda items and/or Agenda Initiatives, may be taken at a meeting of a Committee of the Whole unless it has been called as a Special Meeting as required by § 2-204 of this chapter. To the extent appropriate, the Rules set forth in § 2-208 of this chapter shall govern the proceedings of meetings of a Committee of the Whole. For purposes of this section, a nonroutine agenda item shall include: (1) the expenditure of money over $250,000; (2) development agreements; (3) amending the City Code; and/or (4) the implementation or modification of policies. The failure to preview a non-routine agenda item at a Committee of the Whole shall not prohibit its consideration and/or action at a future meeting.
[Ord. No. 2018-70]
A. 
Special meetings of the Council may be called by the Mayor, the Mayor pro tem in the absence of the Mayor, three members of the Council in the absence of the Mayor and the Mayor pro tem, or by any five members of the Council. The call for any such special meeting shall be in writing, signed by the Mayor, the Mayor pro tem or the required number of the members of the Council, and shall state the object and purpose of such meeting and the time for holding the same. It shall be filed with the City Clerk at least 48 hours before the time set therein for said meeting.
B. 
Any special meeting attended by all of the members of the Council shall be a regular meeting for the transaction of any business that may come before such meeting.
C. 
No vote of the Council shall be reconsidered or rescinded at a special meeting unless at such special meeting there be present as large a number of Council members as were present when such vote was taken.
[Ord. No. 2019-34]
A. 
Executive sessions are meetings that are closed to the public, that are part of a regular or special meeting, which allow the City Council to discuss certain matters of a sensitive nature which affect the City of Bloomington. Areas which may be discussed in executive session are specified in Section 2 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2). Examples include, but are not limited to, collective bargaining matters, land acquisition, pending litigation, and appointment, employment or dismissal of an employee.
B. 
When a motion is made to recess to an executive session and approved by a majority vote of the quorum present, only that specific topic can be discussed and no final action may be taken on it during the closed executive session in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Once the purpose of the closed executive session has concluded, the City Council may move to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the regular or special meeting.
[Ord. No. 2012-7]
[Ord. No. 2015-46]
The City Council may meet in a work session meeting prior to the commencement of a regular or special meeting. The work session shall be devoted exclusively to the subjects for which the preliminary receipt and discussion of information is deemed appropriate as identified on the work session agenda. Work sessions are primarily designed for informal presentation and discussion among Council members and City staff. Although questions may be asked and answered at the direction of the Chairperson, there will normally be no public input at work sessions beyond any public comment period as required by § 2-501, nor will the Council take any final action by vote at a work session. However, nothing herein shall prevent a polling of the Council or the taking of any informal vote on any matter under discussion. Work sessions shall be open to the public and notice procedures for regular and special meetings shall be followed.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2010-56; Ord. No. 2012-7; Ord. No. 2016-25; Ord. No. 2019-34; 9-22-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-071]
A. 
All regular meetings of the Council shall convene promptly at the hour set by § 2-203 of this chapter. On the day of each regular meeting, the Mayor, the members of the Council, the City Manager, the Corporation Counsel, and the City Clerk shall take their regular stations in the Council Chambers, and the business of the Council shall be taken up for consideration in the following order:
(1) 
Call to order. Whenever possible, the City Clerk or the Chairperson shall announce the call to order both five and two minutes in advance to assure that all attendees are seated and ready to conduct the meeting.
(2) 
Pledge of allegiance.
(3) 
Silent prayer.
(4) 
Roll call of attendance.
(5) 
Appointment recognition. Under this agenda item the Mayor may recognize those persons being appointed to offices and positions in the City of Bloomington, whether such appointments are subject to confirmation or not. During this period after brief introductions, the City Council may ask questions of the appointee.
(6) 
Public comment. Public comment shall be allowed as provided for in § 2-501 of this chapter.
(7) 
Consent agenda.
(a) 
Items shown on the consent agenda are considered routine and, unless removed from the consent agenda as herein provided, will be disposed of in one motion and second to approve the consent agenda. There shall be no discussion after a motion and second to approve the consent agenda. The effect of approval of said motion is to dispose of each matter contained therein according to the recommendation furnished to the Council by the City Manager. The Clerk shall record each Council member's yes or no vote on the roll-call for approval of the consent agenda as his or her vote on each item contained therein.
(b) 
Before a motion and second, the Chairperson shall inquire if any items should be removed from the consent agenda for further discussion and separate vote as part of the regular agenda. Any item shall be removed from the consent agenda at the request of a Council member, City Manager or Corporation Counsel. Items removed from the consent agenda will be placed on the regular agenda and be taken up at that time.
(8) 
Regular agenda. This item includes all other business of the City, except as provided herein.
(9) 
City Manager's reports and discussion. Under this item, the City Manager may bring to the Council's attention any matter not on the regular or consent agenda which, in his or her opinion, require official Council consideration; it may include announcements and other matters.
(10) 
Council member discussion. Under this item, a Council member may bring to the Council's attention any matter not on the regular or consent agenda which, in his opinion, require official Council consideration; it may include announcements and other matters.
(11) 
Mayor's discussion. Under this item, the Mayor may bring to the Council's attention any matter not on the regular or consent agenda which, in his or her opinion, require official Council consideration; it may include announcements, veto messages, and other matters.
(12) 
Adjournment.
A. 
The following rules shall govern the Council in its deliberations:
(1) 
The Mayor, while present, shall preside as Chairperson at all meetings of the City Council. In the Mayor's absence from the meeting, the Mayor Pro Tem shall serve as the Chairperson, or if the Mayor Pro Tem is also absent, the Council members present shall designate by vote another Council member to serve as Chairperson. The meetings of the City Council shall be called to order and conducted by the Chairperson.
[Ord. No. 2012-7]
(2) 
A majority of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum to do business.
[Ord. No. 2012-7]
(3) 
The Chairperson's powers include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) 
To rule motions in or out of order. In doing so, he or she may consult with legal counsel who shall serve as the parliamentarian.
(b) 
To regulate the course of the meeting in accordance with these rules and applicable laws and ordinances. This includes the responsibility to regulate speakers and attendees.
(c) 
To determine whether a speaker has gone beyond reasonable standards of courtesy in his or her remarks and to entertain and rule on objections from other members on this ground.
(d) 
To entertain and answer questions of parliamentary law or procedure. In doing so, he or she may consult with legal counsel who shall serve as parliamentarian.
(e) 
To call a brief recess at any time.
(f) 
To adjourn in an emergency.
[Ord. No. 2012-7]
(4) 
The separate yes, no, and abstain votes of each Council member shall be taken electronically, and if electronic voting is unavailable, by roll call upon the consideration of all ordinances, and all propositions to create any liability against the City, or for the expenditure or appropriation of its money, and in all other cases at the request of any member, which shall be entered on the journal of its proceedings. The concurrence of a majority of the members elected to the Council shall be necessary to the passage of any such ordinance or proposition except where otherwise provided by law or by ordinance.
[Ord. No. 2013-67]
(5) 
Questions of parliamentary law at the meetings of the Council shall be addressed as provided below. To the extent not provided for in these rules, and to the extent it does not conflict with Illinois law, City ordinances, or with the spirit of these rules, the Council shall refer to Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, to answer unresolved procedural questions.
(a) 
Substantive motion. A substantive motion may deal with any subject within the Council's legal powers, duties and responsibilities. A substantive motion is out of order while another substantive motion is pending.
(b) 
Procedural motion. The following enumeration of procedural motions are in order. Unless otherwise noted each motion is debatable, may be amended, and requires a majority of the votes cast, a quorum being present, for adoption. Procedural motions are in order while a substantive motion is pending. The following is an exhaustive list; if a procedural motion is not on the list, then it is not available. In order of priority, if applicable, the procedural motions are:
[1] 
Motion to appeal a procedural ruling of the chairperson. A decision of the Chairperson ruling a motion in or out of order, determining whether a speaker has gone beyond reasonable standards of courtesy in his or her remarks, or entertaining and answering a question of parliamentary law or procedure may be appealed to the Council. This appeal is in order immediately after such decision is announced and at no other time. The Council member making the motion need not be recognized by the Chairperson and the motion, if timely made, may not be ruled out of order. If the appeal is seconded, the Council member making the appeal may briefly explain the ruling, but there shall be no debate on the appeal, and no other Council member shall participate in the discussion. The Chairperson shall then put the question, "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" If a majority of the members present vote "Aye," the ruling of the Chair is sustained; otherwise, it is overruled.
[2] 
Motion to adjourn. This motion may be made only at the conclusion of action on a pending substantive matter; it may not interrupt deliberation of a pending matter. This motion, if passed, requires the Council to immediately adjourn to its next regularly scheduled meeting. A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except: 1) when a Council member is in possession of the floor; 2) when the Council members are voting; 3) when adjournment was the last preceding motion; and 4) when it has been decided that the previous question shall be taken.
[3] 
Motion to recess. Council members may propose a brief recess during its proceedings. This motion, if passed, requires the Council to immediately take a recess. Normally, the Chairperson determines the length of the recess, which may range from a few minutes to an hour.
[4] 
Motion to call to follow the agenda. This motion, if passed, requires the Council to conform to its agenda or order of business. This motion must be made at the first reasonable opportunity (when the item of business that deviates from the agenda is proposed) or the right to make it is waived for the out-of-order item in question.
[5] 
Motion to suspend rules. This motion, if passed, allows the body to suspend its own rules of order, conduct or procedure for a particular purpose. The motion should specifically state the portion of the rules that are being suspended. This motion requires a two-thirds vote. This motion must be specific and state the reason for suspending the rules.
[6] 
Motion to go into closed session (executive session). The Council may go into closed session only for one or more of the permissible purposes listed under Section 2 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1). The motion to go into closed session shall cite one or more of these purposes and shall be adopted at an open meeting.
[7] 
Motion to leave closed session (executive session). This motion provides a procedural mechanism for returning from closed session to an open meeting.
[8] 
Motion to divide a complex motion (Question) and consider it by paragraph. This motion is in order whenever a Council member wishes to consider and vote on subparts of a complex motion separately.
[9] 
Motion to defer consideration (Table). The Council may defer a substantive motion for later consideration at an unspecified time. A substantive motion, the consideration of which has been deferred, expires 100 days thereafter unless a motion to revive consideration is adopted. If consideration of a motion has been deferred, a new motion with the same effect cannot be introduced while the deferred motion remains pending. A Council member who wishes to revisit the matter during that time must take action to revive consideration of the original motion, or else move to suspend the rules.
[10] 
Motion to move the previous question (limit debate). This motion may be made at any time after a substantive motion is made. If made before 20 minutes of debate and the opportunity of each Council member to make both an initial comment and a rebuttal comment as provided under § 2-210E of this chapter, the motion requires a two-thirds vote. If made after at least 20 minutes of debate and after the opportunity of each Council member to make both an initial comment and a rebuttal comment as provided under § 2-210E of this chapter, the motion requires a majority vote.
[11] 
Motion to postpone to a certain time or day. This motion allows the Council to postpone consideration of an item to a specified day. If consideration of a motion has been postponed, a new motion with the same effect cannot be introduced while the postponed motion remains pending. A Council member who wishes to revisit the matter must either wait until the specified time, or move to suspend the rules.
[12] 
Motion to amend. An amendment to a motion must be pertinent to the subject matter of the motion. An amendment is improper if adoption of the motion with that amendment added would have the same effect as rejection of the original motion. A proposal to substitute completely different wording for a motion or an amendment shall be treated as a motion to amend. A motion maybe amended, and that amendment may be amended, but no further amendments may be made until the last offered amendment is disposed of by a vote.
[13] 
Motion to revive consideration. The Council may vote to revive consideration of any substantive motion earlier deferred by adoption of a motion to defer consideration (table). The motion is in order at any time within 100 days after the day of a vote to defer consideration. A substantive motion on which consideration has been deferred expires 100 days after the deferral unless a motion to revive consideration is adopted.
[14] 
Motion to reconsider. The Council may vote to reconsider its action on a matter. The motion to do so must be made by a member who voted with the prevailing side (the majority) and 1) at the meeting during which the original vote was taken, including any continuation of that meeting through recess or adjournment to a time and place certain, or 2) at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting following the meeting during which the original vote was taken. The motion cannot interrupt deliberation on a pending matter but is in order at any time before final adjournment of the meeting.
[15] 
Motion to rescind or repeal. The Council may vote to rescind actions it has previously taken or to repeal items that it has previously adopted. This motion is used at a later meeting and has the purpose of canceling the action the Council took at a previous meeting. This motion can be made by any Council member, no matter how he or she voted on the original motion. The motion requires a majority vote if a Council member provides notice to the Council, prior to the meeting, that the motion will be made, or a two-thirds vote if such notice is not provided.
[16] 
Motion to prevent reintroduction for six months. This motion shall be in order immediately following the defeat of a substantive motion and at no other time. The motion requires, for adoption, a two-thirds vote. If adopted, the restriction imposed by the motion remains in effect for six months.
B. 
These rules may be amended at any regular meeting or at any properly called special meeting that includes amendment of the rules as one of the stated purposes of the meeting, so long as the amendment is consistent with generally accepted principles of parliamentary procedure.
[Ord. No. 2012-7]
[Ord. No. 2012-7]
A Council member prevented from voting by a conflict of interest, such conflict resulting from the Council member having a substantial financial interest in an official matter or a personal interest in an official matter such that he or she cannot render a fair and impartial decision, shall leave the City Council chambers during the debate, shall not vote on the matter, and shall otherwise comply with the rules concerning conflicts of interest. The Chairperson shall make reasonable effort to inform any Council member, who has left the room for such reason and who is nearby, that the agenda has advanced and that the absent member may re-enter the meeting room.
A. 
Agenda items. In accordance with this section, items can be placed on a meeting agenda by: (i) the Mayor; (ii) the intended Chairperson of the meeting, in the absence of the Mayor; (iii) the City Manager or designee thereof; or (iv) by the Agenda Initiative process. For each regular agenda item, the City Manager (or his designee) in consultation with the Mayor (or the Chairperson of the meeting, in the absence of the Mayor), shall designate a time for the presentation of the agenda item and a time for the Council discussion. Once the time allotted for on the agenda item has expired, the item shall either be tabled to a date certain or called upon for a vote unless the Council, by a majority vote, votes to extend, for a specified amount of time, the time for discussion and consideration of the time at the meeting.
[Ord. No. 2018-49]
(1) 
Regular meeting agendas. For each regular meeting of the City Council, the City Manager shall be responsible for placing items on the agenda he or she believes to be in the best interests of the City. Initiatives of the City Council may also be placed on the agenda after following the process set forth in Subsection A(2) below. While the Mayor reserves the right to direct the placement of items on a regular meeting agenda, the Mayor shall utilize the agenda initiative process outlined in Subsection A(2) in relation to any non-routine City matters or proposals.
[Ord. No. 2018-49]
(2) 
Agenda initiatives. A agenda initiative is a proposal of the Mayor or a Council member that involves, for example: (1) the expenditure of money not within the City budget; (2) modifications to the City Code; (3) formation/modification of City policies; (4) the introduction of an ordinance or resolution; (5) the formation/modification of committees; and/or (6) appropriating City staff time from an existing operational activity or need. All agenda initiatives shall be on a form completed by either the Mayor or individual Council member supporting the initiative. The form shall be derived by the City Manager and must specify the nature of the request, the estimated cost and/or staff time (if known), and what, if any, existing projects or programs are proposed to be reduced in lieu of the new project. A portion of each Committee of the Whole shall be dedicated to the agenda initiatives of the Council members and/or Mayor, if any. The Agenda Initiative Form, once completed and timely submitted, will be included in the meeting packet. At the Committee of the Whole, a majority of the Alderman present can vote to: (1) have the initiative placed on a future City Council agenda for further consideration or action; (2) have staff evaluate and prepare an analysis on the proposed initiative and bring it back for further Council discussion; or (3) deny the initiative being placed on a future agenda and/or having City staff evaluate and analyze the proposed initiative. The same agenda initiative cannot be brought forward more than once in a six-month period unless two-thirds of the City Council votes to place the agenda initiative back on the table for consideration.
[Ord. No. 2019-34]
B. 
Voting.
(1) 
No vote may be taken on a matter that has not been included on the agenda that was provided prior to the meeting in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. However, the proposed motion, for a matter that has been properly included on the agenda, may be modified and voted upon to the extent that it only extends into subject matter that would be reasonably related to the announced agenda item.
(2) 
No vote on an agenda item shall be taken without a quorum of a majority of Council members present.
(3) 
Subject to limitations in these rules, the Chairperson may call for a voice vote or a roll call vote. The City Clerk, or designee thereof, shall conduct each roll call vote in a specific order that will rotate from meeting to meeting.
(4) 
No Council member may vote by agency, proxy, or if not in attendance, except that Council members may participate, be in attendance, and vote by electronic means as authorized by law.
(5) 
The Chairperson may vote as allowed under Illinois statutes.
[Ord. No. 2012-7]
[Ord. No. 2012-07]
All reports, communications, ordinances, resolutions, contract documents, or other matters to be submitted to the Council shall be delivered to the City Manager, or his or her designee, no later than a time to be determined by the City Manager. The City Manager shall determine the order of agenda items and cause the agenda and supporting documents to be prepared for distribution. The City Clerk shall post the agenda and distribute supporting documents to the Council and Mayor for consideration.
A. 
Except as otherwise provided by law or ordinance, the City Council shall not rehear matters which matters which have been referred to any body, agency, or person for public hearing.
[Ord. No. 1981-71]
B. 
The provisions of Subsection A notwithstanding, the City Council may, upon passage of a proper motion to suspend the rules, permit one spokesman for each side a limited period of time not to exceed five minutes to summarize his or her side's position to the City Council.
[Ord. No. 1981-71]
C. 
When, in the judgment of the City Council, unique circumstances require, the Council may upon a proper motion to do so suspend the operation of this section.
[Ord. No. 1981-71]
D. 
This provision is directory, and the failure of the City Council to follow its provisions in any matter before it shall not be grounds for invalidation of any action taken on such matter.
[Ord. No. 1981-71]
[Ord. No. 2006-99]
Except where otherwise provided in state statutes, nominating petitions for the office of Alderman of each ward in the City of Bloomington shall contain the names and signatures of a number of registered voters residing in the ward which the candidate seeks to represent equaling not less than 5% nor more than 8% of 1/9 of the number of persons who voted in the last regular municipal election.