Chicago City Wire

Republican House candidate Ammie Kessem is calling foul on a plan she sees as an effort to keep Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in power as long as possible.

“This city council will stop at nothing to protect their elitist buddies and hold onto power,” Kessem posted on Facebook after Chicago Aldermen recently advanced three non-binding questions to appear on city ballots in November. The move, Kessem believes, is an effort to stymy former Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to place a binding referendum on the ballot that could establish a two-term limit for Emanuel and future mayors of the city.

State law mandates that only three-referendum type questions can appear on the ballot in any given election. Kessem, a Chicago police sergeant running against Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) in the 19th District, is urging voters not to accept the situation laying down.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel

“The SWSGOP (Southwest Side Republican) Club will have petitions at the next meeting on [July 9 at 7 p.m.] at Bourbon Street (3359 W 115th St. Marionette Park, IL 60803),” she said in the post. “A brief explanation will be provided by conservative radio host, William J. Kelly, who will also explain this bi-partisan referendum.”

In addition, the Chicago Tribune reports Quinn is adamant that the rule should not apply to his effort and has already collected roughly 50,000 signatures supporting his position.

The 19th House District includes parts of Chicago's Northwest Side as well as Norridge and Harwood Heights.