Aurora mayoral recall referendum passes, Joliet data center question fails

Elections Aurora mayoral recall referendum passes, Joliet data center question fails A slew of referendums were on ballots across the Chicago area this week, including on AI data centers, a mayoral recall bill and more By James Neveau • Published November 4, 2026 • Updated on November 4, 2026 at 5:57 pm It was a busy night in the political world, but ballot questions were also decided along with Illinois’ governorship, Senate seat and more. One of the biggest referendums on suburban ballots was a measure that would allow voters in the city of Aurora to recall the city’s mayor via a petition drive. Stream NBC 5 for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE According to the latest unofficial vote results from DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties, the recall measure has passed overwhelmingly, and according to the language of the ballot question it will take immediate effect. According to the text of the referendum, a recall election can be triggered if a petition is signed by a number of residents equal to 20% of the previous mayoral election’s vote totals. If that occurs, a recall election would be called, with a majority vote required to remove the mayor from office. Numerous communities around the Chicago area put forward term limit measures on their ballots, and many of those passed, including in Crestwood, where city officials will now be limited to three four-year terms, and in Markham, where the limit is two. Highland Park, Alsip and Calumet Park also passed term limit referendums, while Niles rejected a measure that would have imposed term limits. Finally, McHenry County voted against an advisory referendum that would have encouraged the county to adopt a “county executive” form of government. Dozens of communities voted on referendums pertaining to issuing bonds for school maintenance and construction, and two significant measures passed, including the issuance of $115 million in bonds to expand offerings for EMT students, automotive techs and more at Moraine Valley Community College. Local Brighton Park 7 hours ago ‘Very traumatized': Family mourns mom of five killed in apparent road rage shooting Lincoln Park 7 hours ago Chicago's best free sample table is at a Lincoln Park seafood shop Voters also approved a bond issue of $120.6 million to add new security systems, along with updated heating and cooling systems, to schools in the East Maine school district. One education-related referendum that failed was undertaken in Lake County, where voters rejected a 1% sales tax that would have provided additional funding for schools. One other interesting referendum was voted upon in Joliet, where voters overwhelmingly rejected a question over whether the Joliet City Council should approve the construction of data centers to power artificial intelligence technology. Nearly 80% of voters in the advisory referendum rejected the proposal, according to the Will County Clerk’s Office. All votes are considered unofficial until they are certified by their respective county clerks’ offices, and numbers could change slightly as more mail-in ballots and provisional ballots are added to counts. This article tagged under: Elections