By Laws 12-7-2021

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I

NAME AND GOAL, MISSION, AND VISION

SECTION I:

The official Republican organization of Lockport Township, County of Will, State of Illinois, shall be known as “The Lockport Township Republican Organization, (LTRO)”

SECTION II:

Goal: To Perpetuate Conservative Values.

Mission: To promote Conservative values by way of actively supporting the election of Republicans in Lockport Township, encourage participation in all areas of government, and be involved with LTRO & Will County Republican Central Committee (WCRCC) programs.

Vision: To maintain Public well-being and Civic health via Conservative values through the election of Conservative Candidates into all levels of government, beginning with local interests.

These shall be accomplished by:

  1. Developing, fostering, advancing, and perpetuating the conservative principles of the Republican Party.
  2. Supporting the election of all Republican nominees for public office whose names appear on the General Election and any special election or other regular election ballots in the Township of Lockport.
  3. Encouraging participation in local, Township, County, State, and Federal Government.
  4. Supporting and promoting programs and functions sponsored by the organization and by the

WCRCC.

  • Employing the essence of Public Relations:
    • Promote (program(s)).
    • Participate (in government).
    • Perpetuate (conservative values).

ARTICLE II

OFFICERS:  THEIR ELECTION AND TERMS OF OFFICE

SECTION I:

OFFICERS – The Executive Board Officers shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer.  Should the Chairman resign or otherwise be unable to serve, the Vice-Chairman will become acting Chairman until the election of a new Chairman at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Should any other Officer of the Executive Board resign or otherwise be unable to serve, the Chairman shall appoint an acting Officer to serve until the election of a new Executive Board Officer at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

SECTION II:

TERM 

  1. Officers must be elected or appointed Republican Precinct Committeemen, except for the office of Secretary or Treasurer. The officers will be elected by majority vote of the elected and appointed Republican Precinct Committeemen present at the meeting. All officers elected or appointed shall serve until the date of the next General Primary Election following their election or appointment, or as amended by the Illinois Election Code. The appointed Committeemen shall be appointed or removed by the LTRO Chairman with the approval of the Precinct Committeemen.
  • Officers shall serve no more than four (4) consecutive two (2) year terms.
  • Upon election of officers, all records and property shall be promptly turned over to the newly elected officer. The outgoing officer shall assist in ensuring an orderly transition.
  • Certification of appointed Republican Precinct Committeemen shall be completed within fourteen (14) calendar days following their approval by the LTRO Precinct Committeemen. 

SECTION III:

ELECTION – All officers shall be elected by a vote of the Precinct Committeemen as outlined in the section on voting (Article III, Section II) as the first order of business at the first regularly scheduled meeting following the Primary Election. This meeting shall be presided over by the previous Chairman, or if not available, by the previous Vice-Chairman.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING

SECTION I:

MEMBERSHIP – Membership in the Lockport Township Republican Organization will consist of elected or appointed Republican Precinct Committeemen,  precinct workers and Republican community members. All Committeemen should attend no less than six (6) regular meetings per year to support active member participation.

SECTION II:

VOTING – The membership may cast a vote by voice vote, showing of hands, roll call, by written secret ballot electronic email or other electronic vehicle that will record the votes in an electronic written format. Precinct Committeemen shall have one (1) vote each. 

SECTION III:

MAJORITY VOTE – Any questions, except endorsements, shall be decided by majority vote of the Precinct Committeemen in attendance at such a meeting or via electronic votes received when electronic voting is utilized. In person or electronic voting may be intermingled within a single voting topic. Endorsements of candidates shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote, with a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the Precinct Committeemen in attendance at such a meeting.

ARTICLE IV

FISCAL DUTIES

 SECTION I:

CHECKING ACCOUNT – A checking account shall be held under the name of the Lockport Township Republican Organization. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Treasurer shall have signature authority. Two (2) signatures shall be required on all checks of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) or more.

SPENDING LIMIT – Any expenditure of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) or more must have prior approval of the majority of the LTRO Executive Board. 

SECTION II:

AUDIT – Immediately upon the election of officers and annually thereafter, the LTRO Chairman shall appoint a committee of three (3) Precinct Committeemen to audit the financial records of the Treasurer and submit a written report of those findings at the next regular meeting. In the absence of Precinct Committeemen to perform the audit function the LTRO may hire an independent accounting firm licensed to perform such function in the State of Illinois.

ARTICLE V

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION I:

CHAIRMAN – It shall be the duty of the LTRO Chairman to preside at all meetings and generally represent the Lockport Township Republican Organization. The LTRO Chairman shall form committees as may be needed to carry out the purposes and goals of the Organization. He shall have the option of serving as an ex officio member on all committees. The Chairman shall mentor and keep the Vice Chairman informed regarding all of the aspects of the Chairman’s roles and responsibilities.

SECTION II:

VICE CHAIRMAN – In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall act in his stead. Should the Chairman resign or otherwise be unable to serve, the Vice-Chairman will become acting Chairman until the election of a new Chairman at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

SECTION III:

SECRETARY – It will be the duty of the Secretary to attend all meetings (executive, regular, and special), and to take minutes on all that transpired at such meetings. It shall also be the responsibility of the Secretary to complete such paperwork as is necessary for the normal operation of the Organization, other than financial statements. In the absence of Precinct Committeemen to perform the function the LTRO may appoint or hire a professional to perform such function.

SECTION IV:

TREASURER – It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to handle all financial matters of the LTRO including: receiving and depositing funds, controlling the LTRO checking account, keeping a record of all income and disbursements, making disbursements at the order of the LTRO and completing all financial paperwork as is required by the laws of the State of Illinois. In the absence of Precinct Committeemen to perform the function the LTRO may appoint or hire a professional to perform such function.

SECTION V:

OFFICERS- It shall be the duty of the Executive Board Officers to attend all meetings of the Will County Republican Central Committee and to act on behalf of the LTRO. The Executive Officers shall report to the LTRO the results of any such meetings.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS

SECTION I:

  1. MEETINGS – Meetings shall be held no less than monthly at a meeting place, located within the Township, except for party caucuses as are required by the laws of the State of Illinois.
  • POSTPONEMENTS – There may arise circumstances that may require the postponement or cancellation of a regularly scheduled meeting. The Chairman shall make the determination after consulting with the LTRO Executive Board and receiving approval of the majority of the Executive Board.
  • SPECIAL MEETINGS – Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or upon the request to the Chairman by fifty percent (50%) of the Precinct Committeemen through notification by mail, e-mail or telephone at least ten (10) days before such a meeting.

 

ARTICLE VII

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

SECTION I:

RULES OF ORDER – Parliamentary authority of the Organization shall follow Roberts’ Rules of Order. However, if any rule of Roberts’ Rules of Order is in conflict with these By-Laws or with any By-Laws specifically adopted at a meeting, these By-Laws, or such By-Laws, as the case may be, shall govern.

If any is in conflict with the statutes of the State of Illinois, such Statutes will govern. Any such By-Laws shall be deemed severable from the remainder of these By-Laws, which remainder shall retain their full force and effect.

If any By-Law is in conflict with By-Laws of the Will County Republican Central Committee, the By-Laws of the Will County Republican Central Committee will prevail.

A Sargent at Arms shall be appointed by consensus of the LTRO Officers. The Sergeant at Arms will be responsible for ensuring set up of the meeting location, acting as entry monitor and maintaining order during meetings.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

SECTION I:

AMENDMENTS – These By-Laws must be reviewed by the LTRO Executive Officers annually to identify any need for amendment. These By-Laws may be amended by a majority of Precinct Committeemen present at a regular meeting or by electronic vote. All Precinct Committeemen must be notified in writing of the proposed amendment at least ten (10) days prior to it being acted upon.