Northbrook reconsiders political sign restrictions

By Jeff Danna, TribLocal reporter


Northbrook residents can go ahead and stick a couple more political signs in their yards.

The village has temporarily stopped enforcing its ordinance regulating the display of campaign yard signs, which only allows one per yard.

During the midterm election season, Northrbook residents won’t be penalized if they have more than one sign in their yard, according to Village President Sandy Frum.

“I’ve had questions about the constitutionality of several of these regulations,” said village attorney Steven Elrod.

Elrod said Northbrook’s existing code dates back to at least 1988. It limits political signs to one 4-square foot display per private lot. Signs cannot be erected more than 14 days before an election and must be removed within 14 days after the election.

Village officials are now revising the ordinance so it complies with a new state law that says municipalities can't prohibit the display of political signs, Elrod said.

The proposed ordinance would limit the number of signs to one per candidate or issue, and signs listing multiple candidates would count for only one of those candidates. The maximum size of political signs also would be increased to 6 square feet.

The state law goes into effect Jan. 1. The issue was placed on the Sept. 28 agenda for the Northbrook Committee of the Whole. Any ordinance would not impact residents who wish to place political signs on their property in regard to the November midterm election. However, it could have an impact during the local election cycle next spring.

“I think we need to get it right as opposed to get it quick,” said Trustee James Karagianis.

jdanna@tribune.com


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