Kane County Republican Central Committee By-Laws
(Including Amendments of April 18, 2018))
Article 1 Name and Purpose
Section 1.1 This County Republican Central Committee shall be known and designated as the "Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc." as provided by the laws of the State of Illinois and shall be recognized as the regular Republican organization in the County of Kane, State of Illinois.
Section 1.2 The purpose of the Kane County Republican Central Committee shall be to develop, foster, advance, and perpetuate the principals of the Republican party; to support and otherwise do all within its power to insure the election of all Republican nominees for public office whose names appear in. the general election and any special election or other regular election ballots in the County of Kane; to fill such vacancies as may occur by virtue of death or inability of any Republican nominee to serve as such nominee or as an official of the Republican party; to manage the affairs of the Republican Party within the boundaries of the County of Kane; and to engage in such other activities and perform such functions and services as may from time to time be necessary to further the cause of the Republican Party, its principles, and its candidates.
Section 1.3 Recognizing the uniqueness and importance of the pos1tlon of Delegate to the quadrennial National Nominating Convention of the Republican Party, the Kane County Republican Central Committee may endorse candidates for the election of Delegates and Alternate Delegates to such Nominating Convention at a duly noticed and convened meeting to be held no later than 21 days prior to the earliest day on which petitions of candidacy of candidates may be filed. Furthermore, the Kane County Republican Central Committee may endorse candidates for any office that is to be filled at a Republican Primary Election, except the positions of Precinct Committeemen, but including delegates to any extraordinary convention, Republican State Central Committeemen, and Representative Committeemen. In addition, regular Township Republican organizations are encouraged to participate in all levels of government, subject to the supervision of this Committee and the provisions of these Bylaws and controlling state statues.
Article II Organization
Section 2.1 Each township having sufficient population to have within it 10 or more precincts shall be considered to be a Regular Township organization (or Township Central Committee), entitled to elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as are deemed necessary. All remaining townships shall be combined into one organization known as the "Western Township Republican Organization," which shall be entitled to the same officers and privileges as the other Township Organizations.
Section 2.2 Each precinct in each township shall have one Precinct Committeeman elected pursuant to law. In the event of a vacancy in any precinct of a Precinct Committeeman, the County Chairman may fill the vacancy according to state law. The Township Chairman may recommend to the County Chairman candidates for such appointments in his or her township.
Each Precinct Committeeman may recommend one or more qualified Republicans to be an Assistant Precinct Committeeman. Each such appointment will require the approval of the Township and County Chairman.
All such Precinct Committeeman and Assistant Precinct Committeeman appointments shall expire on the day following the next General Biennial Primary Election.
Section 2.3 Any club or organization within Kane County now in existence or which may be formed in the future that uses in its name the word "Republican" shall be chartered by the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., through an action of and pursuant to rules established by its Executive Committee and subject to periodic review.
Section 2.4 The County Chairman may appoint necessary paid and/or volunteer office staff who shall serve at the pleasure of the Chairman. The office staff shall attend to the day-to-day operations of the Kane County Republican Central Committee: shall keep and maintain the books and records thereof; make and file all reports required by law; and perform any other duties assigned by the Chairman. The staff shall keep and distribute voting statistics for all elections by precinct (including township elections); prepare analyses of voting trends; prepare position papers on matters of current interest, and perform other research as directed by the Chairman or Executive Committee. The Chairman shalJ publish a detailed job description for any paid staff member.
Article III Membership and Voting
Section 3.1 The members of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., shall be the duly elected or appointed and certified Republican Precinct Committeemen and the duly appointed and certified Assistant Republican Precinct Committeemen. In any duly noticed and convened meeting, each Republican Precinct Committeeman, or in his/her absence, an assistant designated in writing by such Committeeman, shall have one (1) vote for each Republican Ballot voted in his /her precinct by the primary electors of the Republican party as provided by the laws of the State of Illinois. Only elected and certified Precinct Committeemen may vote for County Chairman, County Secretary and County Treasurer, and for such other officers as provided in these By-laws at the Organizational Meeting at the start of each two-year tem1.
Section 3.2 Each member of the Kane County Republican Central Committee shall cast his/her vote by a roll call vote to be tallied by the Secretary of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., as his/her name and precinct are called in a roll call vote by the Secretary, except as provided in Article VII, Section 7.3 below. The roll call vote by the Secretary will be in alphabetical order beginning with Aurora Township followed by Aurora City, Batavia, Campton, Dundee, Elgin, Geneva, St. Charles, and Western Township Republican Organization, in that order unless new townships are added pursuant to Section 2.1 of these Bylaws, and within each township shall follow the numerical order of the precincts. At the conclusion of the roll call and until such time as the balloting is declared closed, a committeeman may vote.
Section 3.3 Each member of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., or a duly designated "Assistant'' must be present to vote.
Section 3.4 All questions, except amendments to these Bylaws and endorsement of delegates as defined in ARTICLE I, Section 1.3 above, shall be decided by a simple majority of the number of votes represented by those in attendance.
Section 3.5 Endorsements to offices as defined in ARTICLE I, Section 1.3 above shall be made at a duly noticed and convened meeting as therein set forth of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., at which the votes of70 percent of the total Republican primary vote count are present in attendance and the candidate receives more than 65 percent of the votes represented at said meeting.
Section 3.6 At any meeting, except the Organizational Meeting following the General Biennial Primary Election, a duly certified Assistant Republican Precinct Committeeman may vote in the absence of the Republican Precinct Committeeman in accordance with the provisions of ARTICLE III, Section 3.1 set forth above and any rules developed by the Executive Committee of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc.
Section 3.7 If a certified candidate for the office of State Central Committeemen shall be present in person at the County Convention, notwithstanding any other provision of these By-laws, he or she shall be permitted to cast their weighted vote by written ballot submitted to the Secretary or some other Party Officer. The Secretary shall then read such a vote allowed during the roll call and such vote shall be counted with the same effects as if delivered in person during such rollcall. Except as provided in this section, no proxy voting or absentee voting shall be permitted.
Section 3.8 The Executive Committee may provide for the method of voting for the office of State Central Committeemen at the County Convention, except that such method shall not contravene any provision of State law or rules or regulations of the Illinois State Republican Party.
ARTICLE IV Officers, their election and terms of office
Section 4.1 The elected officers of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., must be duly elected and certified Republican Precinct Committeemen and shall consist of a County Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer whose terms of office shall be for two (2) years Said officers shall be elected at the Organizational Meeting as set forth in ARTICLE VI, SECTION 6.1. Such officers shall be part of the Executive Committee.
Section 4.2 The County Chairman shall appoint an Executive Vice Chairman and such other officers as are necessary, who shall serve at the pleasure of the County Chairman. Such officers shall be non-voting members of the Executive Committee.
Section 4.3 The Republican Precinct Committeemen of each township organization shall elect a Township Chairman who shall be a member of the Executive Committee of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc. The Township Chairman from each township shall be elected on or before the day of, and prior to, the County Convention next succeeding the spring primary. In the absence of the Township Chairman in a meeting of the Executive Committee, the Township Vice Chairman, Secretary, or Treasurer, as designated by the Township Chairman, may attend and participate in the Executive Committee meeting and cast the vote of the Township Chairman, providing that such Township officer is an elected precinct committeeman.
Section 4.4 The County Chairman of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., shall appoint such standing or special committees as may be appropriate. The Chairmen of all committees shall report to the County Chairman and shall attend meetings of the Executive Committee upon request of the County Chairman or the Executive Committee.
Section 4.5 All meetings for organization of a township organization after the General Primary Election shall be called by the previous township chairman unless the previous chairman is no longer an elected committeeman. In such event, the meeting shall be called by the outgoing County Chairman in consultation with any of the previous township officers who shall be elected committeemen.
If any township organization shall fail to elect a chairman at lwo meetings duly noticed and called for such purpose at least five (5) days apart due lo a lack of attendance by a majority of the elected and certified Republican Committeemen of such organization, then the County Chairman shall call a meeting of such committeemen upon five (5) days written notice and a chairman and other township organization officers shall be elected by a majority of the committeemen in attendance at such meeting.
Section 4.6 A vacancy in the office of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., Chairman shall be filled at a special County Convention to be held within 75 days of such vacancy, except that such a vacancy occurring within six (6) months of the next General Primary Election shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. A vacancy in the office of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., Treasurer or Secretary shall be filled by the appointment of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., Chairman, subject to ratification by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
Section 4.7 All persons designated as voting members of the Executive Committee must be duly elected and certified Republican Precinct Committeemen
ARTICLEV Duties of Elected and Annointed Officers
Section 5.1 It shall be the duty of the County Chairman to preside at all Organizational Meetings, County Conventions, Special Meetings, Executive Committee Meetings, and all meetings sponsored by the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., and represent the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., at such state and national meetings and meetings of the Republican County Chairmen's Association of Illinois as may be appropriate to attend. The County Chairman shall serve as a member ex-officio on all committees.
Section 5.2 It shall be the duty of the Executive Vice Chairman to assist the County Chairman in all activities of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., to conduct meetings prescribed in these Bylaws in the event of the County Chairman's absence and to assume the duties of the County Chairman if, for any reason, the County Chairman is unable to fulfill his duties. In the event of a vacancy in the office of County Chairman, the Executive Vice Chairman shall act as Chairman until a new chairman is selected as provided in ARTICLE IV, Section 4.6 above.
Section 5.3 It shall be the duty of the Secretary to attend all meetings (Executive, Regular, and Special), for the purpose of taking minutes, which shall be distributed to each Township Chairman and other members of the Executive Committee within 10 days of such meetings. At the request of the Chairman or the Chairman of any standing committee, the Secretary shall notify members of the respective committees of impending meetings and perform other duties as set forth in the Bylaws or which may be assigned by the Chairman. The Secretary may appoint an Assistant or Recording Secretary who shall assist the Secretary in the duties of the office, and may cast the vote of the Secretary at a meeting of the Executive Committee if such assistant is an elected and certified Committeeman.
Section 5.4 It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and hold monies of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., to keep a record of all income and disbursements and to make disbursements at the order of the County Chairman when approved for payment by the Executive Committee; however, the Executive Committee may approve payment before or after the debt is incurred. The Treasurer shall have his records in order for inspection by the voting members of the Executive Committee, and shall submit in a timely fashion all local, state, or federal reports as may be required by law. Two signatures shall be required on each check written on Central Committee accounts/funds, the County Chairman, the Treasurer, and such other member of the Executive Committee may be designated for this function by the Executive Committee. The Chairman may expend up to $500 in any one month without the prior approval of the Executive Committee. Checks less than $500 may be issued with one signature.
Section 5.5 The Executive Committee shall advise the County Chairman and, with the County Chairman, shall act as the governing body of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc. The Executive Committee shall provide for the orderly operation of the headquarters and shall determine the fiscal y, ar. The Executive Committee shall charter all organizations as provided in ARTICLE II, Section 2.3 above using the word "Republican" in their title. The Executive Committee shall consist of:
- The County Chairman, Executive Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary
- The Township Chairman of each Township organization as established by ARTICLE II, Section 2.1
- Any other officers appointed by the County Chairman pursuant to
ARTICLE IV, Section 4.2
A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting members of the Executive Committee. The voting members shall consist of the Chairman (or in his absence, the Executive Vice Chairman), Treasurer, Secretary, and the Township Chairmen or their designee under ARTICLE IV, Section 4.3 above. A majority of the voting members present shall decide on all issues. The Executive Committee shall meet in Executive Session as often as deemed necessary.
Section 5.7 In the event that the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer or Executive Vice Chairman (if acting as Chairman) shall also be a Township Chairman, such officer may designate an officer of his or her Township organization to attend meetings of the Executive Committee and participate in its deliberations. If the Executive Committee shall be evenly divided, the vote of the County Chairman shall be deemed to be the tie breaker.
ARTICLE VI Meetings.
Section 6.1 The Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., shall hold an organizational Meeting every two (2) years, as provided by the laws of the State of Illinois, and shall hold such other regular or special meetings as shall be called by the County Chairman or authorized by the Executive Committee.
Section 6.2 Members of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., may petition other meetings, as provided by the laws of the State of Illinois.
Section 6.3 All meetings of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., shall be called by notice of mail or, if authorized and available, by electronic mail, to be sent at least five (5) days before such meeting by the Chairman, as provided by these Bylaws and the laws of the State of Illinois.
Section 6.4 The Executive Committee of the Kane County Republican Central Collllllittee, Inc., shall regularly schedule meetings, at least six (6) times each year, at a time and place designated by the County Chairman and voting members of the Executive Committee. All members will be reminded and notified of such meetings.
Section 6.5 All committees will meet at the call of the Committee or County Chairman and shall file written reports of all activities for presentation to the Chairman and Executive Committee upon demand. All such activity reports and/or minutes shall if practicable be filed with the Secretary at least five (5) days before the next regular meeting of the Executive Committee.
Section 6.6 The Executive Committee shall also meet other times as designated by the County Chairman or upon petition of four (4) of the voting members of the Executive Committee. Notice of a special meeting shall be mailed or e-mailed to all voting members of the Executive Committee five (5) days before said meeting.
Section 6.7 The Chairman may, at any time, assemble the precinct committeemen informally for the purpose of disseminating information, taking questions, and receiving immediate feedback in the form of open comments and/or straw polls. Such informal meetings shall be known as a "Call of the Committee." As a "Committee Call" is an informal meeting, no formal rules of order shall apply, there shall be no motions made, official business conducted, and no binding actions taken.
ARTICLE VII Parliamentary - Authority, Amendments & Quorum; Township BY-laws
Section 7.1 Parliamentary authority of the organization shall follow the most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order. However, if any rule of Robert's Rules of Order is in conflict with these Bylaws or with any rule specifically adopted at a convention or meeting, these Bylaws or such rules, as the case may be, shall govern. Any amendments or restatements of Illinois statute relating to a County party organization shall upon becoming law have immediate effect and shall constitute a lawful and binding amendment to these Bylaws.
Section 7.2 A quorum for all meetings referenced herein, unless otherwise provided for in ARTICLE III of these Bylaws, shall consist of a majority by weighted vote of all voting members of the organizations referenced herein.
Section 7.3 Amendments to the Bylaws may be made at a duly noticed and convened meeting of the Kane County Republican Central Committee, Inc., after amendments to be considered have been mailed, or if authorized and available, electronically mailed, to each member at least 15 days before said meeting and a quorum (a majority of the weighted vote) of the duly elected or appointed Republican Precinct Committeemen is in attendance and the proposed amendment(s) receive more than two-thirds (2/3's) of the weighted votes represented at said meeting. Notwithstanding the provisions of ARTICLE III, Section 3.2 hereof, voting on Bylaw amendments may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, be by paper ballot instead of by roll call vote. The results of such written ballot (both by the vote and the identity of the voter) shall be published and available to any member upon request.
Section 7.4 Within 45 days following the biennial County Convention, each Township organization shall file with the Secretary of the Central Committee a copy of the most recent bylaws and/or rules of such organization duly certified as to adoption by the Township Chairman.
These By-laws were duly adopted, amended and re-stated in Convention on the 18th day of April, 2018 by unanimous vote of a quorum then present.
Kenneth C. Shepro, Chairman
Connie von Kendell, Secretary
87 of 104 Committeemen present
AMENDMENT PROPOSED APRIL 15, 2020 AMENDMENT DECLARED ADOPTED MAY 5, 2020
Article II Organization
Section 2.1 Each Township having sufficient population to have within it 4G 21 or more precincts shall have the option elect to become its own Regular Township organization (or Township Central Committee),be considered to be a Regular Township organi2:0tion (or Township Central Committee), entitled to elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as are deemed necessary.
The Township Option may be exercised by any elected precinct committeeperson in such Township by a written request to the County Chairman. Upon receipt of such request the County Chairman shall convene a meeting of all elected or appointed committeepersons from such Township upon not less than 1O (ten) days notice by certified mail, return receipt request notice shall also be given to the Chairman and Secretary of the Western Kane organization. At such Township Meeting, the committeepersons present shall select a chairman and the secretary and shall proceed to determine whether the committeepersons desire to form their own Township organization. Each elected or appointed committee person shall cast a weighted vote determined by Republicans votes cast in each precinct in the most recent general primary election. a majority of the weighted votes of all elected or appointed committee persons of the Township shall be necessary to a decision.
A meeting· to consider exercise of the option provided herein shall be called more not more than once in any two-year period following the most recent general primary election.
All remaining townships shall be combined into one organization known as the "Western Township Republican Organization," which shall be entitled to the same officers and privileges as the other Township Organizations.
This Section shall not be applicable to the Campton Township organization.
NOTE: Changes are lined om; New language is highlighted;
PURPOSE OF TIIE AMENDMENT: Sugar Grove Township now has within its borders 11 precincts (SG 1 through SG 6 and City of Aurora Precincts Ward 5/1, 5/11, 5/12, 5/13 and 5/14). Under the current By-laws Sugar Grove Township would immediately become its own Township Organization. The proposed amendment would prevent an automatic exclusion of Sugar Grove from the Western Kane Republican Organization and instead would leave a decision to the committee persons of Sugar Grove Township.
Raising the threshold for a new organization from 1Oto 21 precincts ensures that a new Township organization is not created by operation of law but only if the committeepersons from that Township want it to happen. The threshold of 21 precincts was arrived at because both Batavia and Geneva Townships have 21 precincts. If the amendment is not approved, the County Chairman will have to immediately convene the five Sugar Grove Township committeepersons and have them organize as a separate Township Organization.
The final sentence was added to make clear that the change would have no effect on Campton Township as an existing Township organization.