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Pat Quinn Says Chicago Needs Mayoral Term Limits, Taxpayer Advocates

 Former Gov. Pat Quinn is petitioning for two referendums that could lead to mayoral term limits.
Former Gov. Pat Quinn is petitioning for two referendums that could lead to mayoral term limits.
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DNAinfo/Kelly Bauer

DOWNTOWN — Former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for Chicago's mayors to get term limits.

Quinn is working with Take Charge Chicago to get signatures for a petition that calls for Chicago to implement term limits for mayors — no more than two consecutive four-year terms — starting in 2019. Chicago is the only major U.S. city without mayoral term limits, Quinn said.

"Term limits on the mayor is one of the best way for taxpayers to make sure they have control of their government," Quinn said. "The taxpayers are paying the bill, they should be allowed to set the rules for the mayor ... ."

 Former Gov. Pat Quinn is petitioning for two referendums that could lead to mayoral term limits.
Former Gov. Pat Quinn is petitioning for two referendums that could lead to mayoral term limits.
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DNAinfo/Kelly Bauer

Another petition pushed by Quinn calls for the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection commissioner to be replaced by a "consumer advocate," who would be elected and serve a four-year term. The consumer advocate would "tackle issues neglected by City Hall and stand up for beleaguered consumers and taxpayers," according to Take Charge Chicago's website.

Quinn said the advocate could help counter things like Mayor Rahm Emanuel's record property tax hike.

The petitions have already gotten thousands of signatures, said spokesman William Morgan, and organizers are working in neighborhoods throughout the city to get more as part of a grassroots campaign.

If each petition gets enough signatures — about 52,000 apiece — then the two issues will be put on the ballot. They would be binding referendums, meaning they would automatically go into effect after the 2019 mayoral election if a majority of people voted in support of the issues.

"It's very important that we the people take matters into our own hands in the best traditions of American democracy by signing petitions ...," Quinn said.

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