Current System
Decatur uses Council / City Manager Form of Local Government (Article 5 - IL Municipal Code) The current city council consists of six members elected at large from the entire city. The Mayor is also a voting council member. The council and mayor serve part time and are precluded by law from being involved in the operating decisions for the city. Some leaders have said that the job of the council is to support the unelected City Manager
The city manager is an appointed position by City Council and is legally empowered to conduct city affairs. The citizens of Decatur do not elect this person. (i.e. Chief Executive Officer of the city)
A majority of city council can retain or terminate city manager (4 of 7)
Proposed Form of City Government
Mayor / Alderman system would assign elected councilpersons to ten designated districts of Decatur; Each district would elect two council members for a total of 20. It is likely that the Council will be reduced to eight wards with aldermen each after the 2010 Census. The size of the council can be reduced by referendum once seated.
