The debate on whether the River Forest village board and village president should have term limits has occupied much talk since last fall.
On Tuesday, it appeared the proponents of the measure prevailed.
With all seven precincts reporting by 9:30 p.m., the yes votes outpaced the no 53.15% to 46.85%. Out of 8,451 registered voters in the village, 2,016 votes were cast, according to the Suburban Cook County Election Results website.
All results are unofficial until certified by the county.
“We are grateful to our River Forest community for voting in favor of term limits for all elected board officials,” said referendum supporter Deborah Borman. “The approval of this ballot measure reflects our collective commitment to fostering accountability and encouraging diverse perspectives in our local government.
“This historic win is the result of a year of hard work, grassroots organizing, and the dedication and determination of residents across the village. We look forward to the referendum’s positive impact on the future of River Forest.”
The referendum question was specific in its aims.
“Shall the Village of River Forest, after the April 1, 2025, Consolidated Election, enact term limits for the elected offices of Village President, Village Clerk, and the six (6) Village Trustees for no more than two (2) four-year (4-year) terms total as follows: for each of three (3) Trustees beginning with the April 3, 2027, Consolidated election, and for the Village President, Village Clerk, and three (3) Trustees starting with the April 6, 2029, Consolidated election?”
Village President Cathy Adduci, who ran unopposed and won her fourth consecutive term as village board president, said the board will take up the referendum results at upcoming meetings.
“The question isn’t considered binding, and we will take it up at the village board meeting, and the question will be whether it will move forward,” she said.
Was she disappointed in the outcome?
“No, and here’s why,” she said. “Term limits is a very emotional conversation nationally. Fifty-three percent of the voters, it’s not a bad result.”
In addition to Adduci, incumbents Lisa Gillis and Respicio F. Vazquez retained their seats on the board. Newcomer Megan Keskitalo won the third available seat.
Trustee Katie Brennan thought the referendum result is “a very good thing for River Forest.”
“I guess I was concerned that a system that allows incumbents to amass so much attention and power in office that a challenger can rarely win surely needed a corrective, and corrective has happened,” Brennan said.
The talk commenced even as voting took place Tuesday.
Standing outside village hall, Gillis was clear that she doesn’t support term limits.
“It’s not going to impact anybody in office given the timelines, but I think we’re going to run into a situation where we’re not going to have the caliber of people in office because we are not allowing folks to put the best people into the office,” she said.
Joe Makowski felt the general tenor in the village is “they want term limits, I think, the people I talk to. I do not.”
Why?
“I think they want change; therefore, I think they think when a person has been in there, they want new blood,” he said. “I think that if you’re doing the job, I think it puts the onus on the voters that if you’re not doing the job, I vote you out. If you’re being successful at your job, why would I want to get rid of you?”
Maggie Grant was much less nuanced about her perception of the overall opinion locally.
“I’ve heard that mostly people think it’s a good idea,” she said. “I think it’s a good idea to have term limits.”