Council To Consider Referendum On 'Citizens United'

Evanston's city council will vote this week on whether or not to place a referendum on the November 2012 ballot asking residents if federal and state governments should be able to limit corporation's political contributions.

The council's vote comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission in May. They held that placing limits on corporate donations to political entities was an infringement of free speech. 

Ald. Coleen Burrus suggested the advisory referendum, according to city documents. If council approves the referendum, voters would be asked whether the U.S. Constitution should be amended so that governments could restrict corporation's campaign contributions.

The council has scheduled a special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at the to vote on a possible referendum for the Nov. 6, 2012 ballot.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article stated an incorrect location for the meeting. It will be held at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center. We sincerely regret the error.