| Topic: | IMRF Board |
| Subtopic: | Board Elections |
| Date: | 5/31/2024 |
| Status: | Active |
WHEREAS, section 7-198 of the Illinois Pension Code authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) to establish rules necessary or desirable for the efficient administration of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, SECTION 7-175(E) of the Illinois Pension Code authorizes the Board of Trustees to establish rules governing the conduct of elections for trustee;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following shall constitute the procedures and rules for elections for trustee.
IMRF Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees shall adopt the election schedule and name election judges and clerks at its May meeting. A separate schedule shall be created and adopted for each trustee election (Executive, Employee, and Annuitant). The Executive Director shall then certify eligible candidates no later than the fourth Friday in September. The Board shall certify election winners at its December meeting.
In the event that only one eligible candidate is certified for a trustee election by the Executive Director, no additional election activities will take place for that position and that candidate will be certified as the winner by the Board at its December meeting.
The Board of Trustees does not endorse candidates for elections and candidates cannot in any way imply that they are “endorsed” by IMRF or the Board of Trustees. This provision does not prohibit incumbent trustees from endorsing or advocating for candidates in their individual capacity.
Candidates
Per Board Resolution 1992-06-19, the IMRF logo cannot be used by any candidate in any election materials. In addition, IMRF will not provide any quantity of publications, such as benefit booklets and forms, to candidates for use in their campaign.
Candidates may not campaign at any IMRF-sponsored presentation or training session.
Prohibited campaign activities include, but are not limited to, passing out literature, advocating for the candidate’s election, and soliciting petition signatures.
Candidates may be present for the counting of the ballots for an election in which they are running. Candidates who wish to be present must notify IMRF staff no less than two business days prior to the first day the ballots are counted. Such presence shall be for observation only. Candidates may not interfere with the ballot count. If a candidate has concerns over the ballot count, such concerns shall be brought to the attention of IMRF staff present for the counting.
IMRF Staff
IMRF staff members are prohibited from using their position as an IMRF staff member to campaign for or against any candidate for trustee. No campaign activity for a trustee candidate, such as passing out literature, advocating for the candidate’s election, or soliciting petition signatures, shall be done during work hours.
IMRF staff may not provide support or information to any candidate that is not available to all other candidates. IMRF staff responsible for the election process shall maintain a log of all contact with trustee candidates regarding the election process. The log shall include the name of the requester, name of the staff person, contact information, type of election, request, and resolution. The log shall be available upon request, except that requester contact information shall be redacted.