FORD COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE BY-LAWS (Proposed By-Laws – 12/15/2012) ARTICLE I Name This organization shall be known and designated as the Ford County Republican Central Committee (hereafter referred to as Central Committee). ARTICLE II Purpose Section 1. - Governing Body. The Central Committee is the governing body of the Republican Party of Ford County as provided by the laws of the State of Illinois the by-laws of the Illinois Republican Party and the State Central Committee. Section 2.- Purpose. The Central Committee is the governing body of the Republican Party of Ford, County, IL and is an integral, but independent, part of the national Republican Party and the Illinois Republican Party. It shall have the authority to take all appropriate action to promote the principles and programs of the Republican Party. Section 3: - Duties and Powers. The duties and powers of the Central Committee include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: A.

To encourage qualified citizens to run for election to public office as Republicans.

B. To endorse, promote, aid, and assist in the election of all Republican candidates for public office in all general and consolidated elections in Ford County, Illinois. The Central Committee shall not endorse or assist one Republican candidate over another in a contested primary election. Individual precinct committeemen may support or assist candidates but not in an official capacity as precinct committeemen. C. To promote, encourage, and sponsor Party organization at every level; distribution and communication of Party information in and through all available media; development of proper public relations for the Party and its candidates; cooperation and coordination among the Party committees, organizations, groups, public officials and members; and enlistment and assignment of Party members. D. To devise and execute ways and means of financing all activities through the development of an integrated and coordinated finance plan for the local Party. E. To establish, maintain, and sponsor such committees, groups, staffs, or councils for the formation, advancement, and implementation of local Party policy as the Central Committee may consider wise and beneficial to the Party.

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F. To inaugurate, maintain and operate a plan of improvement of the local Republican Party as, from time to time, may be deemed necessary. G.

To maintain the organization of the Republican Party in Ford County, Illinois.

H. To encourage registered voters to vote for Republican candidates in every primary and general election.

ARTICLE III Members Section 1: - Membership. The Members of the Central Committee are the Republican Precinct Committeemen (hereinafter referred to as “Committeemen”) as elected or appointed as provided by statute and these Bylaws. Other such members include those provided by these Bylaws, and any other members, or classification of members, as decided by the Central Committee. Section 2: - Term of Elected Precinct Committeemen. Precinct Committeemen can only be elected from the precinct from which he or she is a bona fide resident (referred to in these Bylaws as “he”). A Precinct Committeeman shall serve as a voting member when he is dulyelected and certified at the most recent primary election and shall continue as such a Committeeman until the date of the next primary to be held in the second year after his election unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws. Section 3: - Term of Appointed Committeemen. Duly-appointed Committeemen shall serve until the date of the primary to be held in the second year after the election of the Committeemen. Once appointed to the Republican Central Committee, they serve as if elected and shall have the same voting power on the Central Committee and on any nominating committees as if elected. The appointment must be a qualified resident of Ford County but does not need to reside in the precinct. Section 4: - Non-Voting Members. The Chairman, with the approval of the Executive Board, may appoint President of the Ford County Republican Women, President of the Ford County Young Republicans, President of the Ford County Senior Active Republicans, Republican elected office holders not otherwise elected as Committeemen, and other individuals to serve as non-voting members to the Central Committee. Section 5: - Powers. All powers of the Central Committee are vested in the members unless provided otherwise by state statue or these Bylaws.

ARTICLE IV Voting Section 1- Weighted Vote. A weighted vote shall mean that each Committeeman shall have one vote for each Republican ballot cast in his or her precinct at the most recent General Primary Election by the primary electors of the Republican Party, as provided by the laws of the State of Illinois. The balloting shall be public, recorded by the Secretary, and each Committeeman’s vote Proposed – 12/15/2012

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shall be cast in its entirety. Any Committeeman casting his/her vote(s) must be personally present at the meeting at the time the vote is taken. The Majority vote shall prevail unless otherwise provided for in these By-laws or State law. Section 2. – Voting to fill offices or ballot vacancies. For the election of Central Committee Officers, to fill a vacancy in nomination, elected office, or ballot vacancies each Committeeman shall vote by weighted vote. Section 3.- Voting in General. Except as elsewhere provided herein, at any duly noticed meeting, the Committeeman shall act by majority vote with each Committeeman being personally present having one vote. Section 4- State Central Committeeman. Election of the State Central Committeeman shall be as provided for in Illinois Law. Section 5: - Proxies. No proxies shall be allowed.

ARTICLE V Officers Section 1. – Elected Officers. The elected officers of the Central Committee shall be duly elected by the certified elected Republican Precinct Committeemen (at the County Convention) and shall consist of a County Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, District Chair 1, District Chair 2, and District Chair 3. All officers shall serve a term of two years and until the next County Convention. These officers will be elected according to the procedures of Article IV, Sections 1 and 2 of these By-Laws. Section 2. – Appointed Officers. The County Chairman may appoint, with the advice and consent of the Members, such other officers as are deemed necessary. Officers whose authority and duties are not prescribed in these by-laws shall have the authority and perform the duties prescribed, from time to time, by the Executive Board. These appointed officers may be Members or non-members. These appointed officers could help in several suggested ways including: recruiting precinct committeemen candidates, recruiting Republican candidates, fundraising, parades, county fairs, getting out the vote (GOTV), placing of signs, media announcements, press releases, public relations, walking precincts, etc. The appointment must be a qualified resident of Ford County. Section 3. – Sub-Committees. The County Chairman, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, may create and appoint Members and/or non-members to such subcommittees, commissions, or advisory committees as are deemed necessary. Section 4. – Duties of County Chairman. The County Chairman is the chief executive officer of the Central Committee. The County Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Central Committee. The County Chairman shall represent the Central Committee at such meetings as may be appropriate to attend. The County Chairman shall serve as an ex-officio member of all sub-committees of the Central Committee. The County Chairman shall appoint precinct committeemen to fill vacancies, and call for an election to fill vacant Central Committee offices, Proposed – 12/15/2012

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nominations, or elected offices in accordance with Article VI. The County Chairman shall also have any other statutory and executive powers provided in law, the by-laws or other appropriate governing rules. The County Chairman shall manage the affairs of the Republican Party within Ford County and perform such functions and services as may from time to time be necessary to further the cause of the Republican Party, its principles and candidates. The County Chairman shall have the authority to hire employees on behalf of the Central Committee after the employment position and salary are approved by the Executive Board. The County Chairman will assume other duties as assigned by majority vote of the Executive Board. The Chair has term limits and shall not have more than three consecutive terms. After three consecutive terms, the Chair would be ineligible to hold office for one term. Section 5. – Duties of Vice-Chairman. The Vice-Chairman shall assist the Chair in the discharge of his or her duties as the Chair. He may direct and perform such other duties as from time to time as may be assigned to him or her by the Chair and the Executive Board. In the absence of the Chair or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions on the Chair, except in those instances in which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or agent of the Central Committee or a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by these By-laws. The Vice-Chair will have term limits. Effective at the 2014 County Convention, the Vice-Chair would be ineligible after three consecutive terms. After three consecutive terms, the Chair would be ineligible to hold office for one term. Section 6. – Duties of Secretary. The secretary shall attend all meetings, executive, regular, annual and special, and shall take minutes and roll, which shall be distributed as directed by the County Chairman. The Secretary is responsible for all non-financial records of the Central Committee. The secretary shall maintain an updated calendar of Republican events. The Secretary shall maintain the roster of Committeemen which shall include all current contact information, provide notice for Central Committee and Executive Board meetings, and complete necessary reporting to the State of Illinois and Illinois Republican Party. In the absence of both the County Chairman, and the Vice-Chairman, the Secretary shall assume the duties of the County Chairman. Section 7. – Duties of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive and hold monies of the County Central Committee, keep a record of all income and disbursements, and maintain the records in order for inspection by members of the Executive Board. The Treasurer has the authority to issue checks or make withdrawals. If the Treasurer is unavailable, the Chair has the authority to issue checks or make withdrawals. However, see Article X for limitations. At each meeting of the Executive Board and Central Committee, the Treasurer shall furnish a listing of all disbursements, receipts, and fund balance. The Treasurer is responsible for all campaign finance disclosure requirements for both the Central Committee and all other fundraising committees of the Central Committee. The Treasurer needs to know and also needs to help others in the organization understand fundraising guidelines and mandatory reporting requirements. See Appendix I, Campaign Disclosure/Reporting of Receipts & Expenditures. Treasurer shall assist in the annual audit for this organization. Annual audit shall be conducted immediately after the county convention and reorganization. Proposed – 12/15/2012

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Section 8. – Duties of District Chairs 1, 2, 3. District Chairs are to help current Committeemen recruit and elect Committeemen, to help recruit candidates for elected Republican positions, to help current Committeemen in GOTV (get out the vote) in their precinct and to perform those duties as assigned by the Chairman. ARTICLE VI County Convention - Election and Appointment of Officers.

Section 1.- County Convention - After the primary at which committeemen are elected and at such time and place as shall be directed by the Central Committee, the Central Committee shall convene the biennial County Convention in Ford County to elect, from its own elected number, the Chairman and the Vice Chairman, and from its own elected number or otherwise, the Secretary, Treasurer, District Chair 1, District Chair 2, and District Chair 3. Only the dulyelected Committeemen are eligible to vote for officers or help conduct business in the County Convention. There are no appointed Committeemen in the County Convention because the convention’s purpose is to reorganize. Section 2. - Legislative Committee/Representative Committee - The Central Committee shall, when required by the state statute, elect from its own number at the County Convention, two Committeemen to serve with the Chairman on the Legislative Committee, and two Committeemen to serve with the Chairman on the Representative Committee. Section 3. – Reporting Election Results - The Chairman shall, within ten (10) days after the County Convention, report election results to the Republican Party, County Clerk, and the State Board of Elections the names and addresses of the elected Officers and Committeemen. Section 4. – Filling the Offices - The offices will be filled in the following order: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, District Chair 1, District Chair 2, and District Chair 3. .

Section 5 – Weighted Vote - Each duly-elected and certified Committeeman will have a weighted vote, in accordance with Article IV Section 1 and Section 2, in each officer election. Section 6. – Candidates for Elected Office - Only duly elected Committeemen are eligible to be recognized as a candidate for the office of Chairman and Vice Chairman. Candidates from its own elected number or otherwise are eligible for Secretary, Treasurer, District Chair 1, District Chair 2, and District Chair 3. Intent is to choose from the elected number if possible. Candidates for elected office must be a qualified resident of Ford County. Section 7. – District Chair 1,2,3 – Committeemen in each district shall select from their own elected number or otherwise their own District Chair. Each selected District Chair shall then be elected by the Central Committee. Ford County is divided into 3 districts. Committeemen residing in District 1 (townships of Button and Patton) shall elect District Chair 1. Committeemen residing in District 2 (townships of Wall, Peach Orchard, Sullivant, Lyman, Brenton, Pella, Mona, and Roger) shall elect District

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Chair 2. Committeemen residing in District 3 (townships of Dix and Drummer) shall elect District Chair 3. Section 8. – Conducting the Meeting - The most recent Chairman of the Central Committee or his designee shall call the county convention to order and nominate a Chairman Pro Tem, Secretary Pro Tem, and any other temporary officers as he may deem necessary or expedient to organize and execute the county convention and the elections of all Central Committee officers. Section 9. –-Elections for Central Committee Officers - Elections for Central Committee officers shall be executed by either a roll call vote or a vote by secret ballot. A roll call vote may be taken to decide which approach to take and each precinct committeeman has one vote in this specific vote. Majority rules. Section 10. – Winner – Highest Vote Count - The candidate having the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. Section 11. – New Members - The newly-elected Central Committee officers shall take office once elected and qualified by the Central Committee.

ARTICLE VII Vacancies, Removal and Resignation Section 1. – Vacancies. In the event a vacancy is created by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise the following provisions shall apply to the various positions named below. A. Vacancy in the office of elected Central Committee officer. The County Chairman shall appoint a successor to the vacated office with the consent of all Precinct Committeemen which shall be provided by weighted vote. In the event the office of County Chairman shall become vacant by reason of death, resignation or otherwise, the Vice-Chairman will become County Chairman, for the unexpired term of office and until a successor is duly elected at the next County Convention. The Vice-Chair shall serve as County Chairman with all rights, duties, authority, powers and obligations as if he/she had been duly voted on and elected as provided in these by-laws or otherwise by law. B. Vacancies in the membership of any committee, advisory board, or commission. The County Chairman may fill these vacancies by appointments made in the same manner as provided in the case of the original appointments. C. Vacancies in the office of Precinct Committeeman. The County Chairman, with consultation with the appropriate District Chairs and majority approval of all Committeemen, shall appoint precinct committeemen to fill vacancies. Each committeeman has one vote. The appointment must be a qualified resident of Ford County but does not need to reside in the precinct. The appointee will serve the remainder of the term of a Committeeman. An appointment to fill a vacancy in the office of Committeeman may not be made between the primary election and the County Convention but may be made after the County Convention.

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D. Vacancies in elected political offices held by Republicans. Vacancies in elected political offices held by a Republican shall be filled as provided for by Illinois law. Where appropriate a nomination to fill said office shall be made at a meeting called for that purpose and noticed pursuant to Article VIII Section 4. Nomination shall be by a weighted vote of all Committeemen residing in the district comprising the district from which the vacant office is elected. The County Chairman shall have the right to nominate individuals to be considered. Notice should be given to the entire Central Committee but specifically to the Executive Board Members and the elected Committeemen entitled to a vote at the meeting. E. Ballot vacancies. Vacancies on the ballot for Republican offices shall be filled as provided for by Illinois law. Where appropriate a nomination to fill said vacancy shall be made at a meeting called for that purpose and noticed pursuant to Article VIII Section 4. Nomination shall be by a weighted vote of all Committeemen residing in the district comprising the district from which the office is elected. The County Chairman shall have the right to nominate individuals to be considered. Notice should be given to the entire Central Committee but specifically to the Executive Board Members and the elected Committeemen entitled to a vote at the meeting.

Section 2. - Removal of Members. Precinct Committeemen can be removed from the Central Committee in accordance with the law. Please note that the removal of a member and the removal of an officer are two different processes and activities. Section 3. - Removal of Officers. Upon receipt of a petition signed by not fewer than thirty percent of all Committeemen of the Central Committee, or upon the call of the Chairman alleging a specific instance or instances of malfeasance, misfeasance, or gross abuse of discretion by any Member, a meeting of the Central Committee to vote on the removal of an Officer shall be held after due notice is given to each Committeeman. The petition shall be filed with the Secretary, or if the Secretary is the officer in question, then the Chairman. Said notice shall include the name of the Officer and be provided pursuant to Article VIII Section 4. Officers may be removed for cause by a weighted vote of all Committeemen at a duly noticed meeting. If an officer is thus accused, he has the right to due process – that is, to be informed of the charge in writing and given time to prepare his defense before the Executive Board and the Central Committee, to appear and defend himself, and to be fairly treated. Please note that the removal of a member and the removal of an officer are two different processes and activities. A person removed as an officer would still remain a member. Section 4. - Resignation. An Officer or Member may resign by delivering his or her written resignation to the County Chairman or Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time. Acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

ARTICLE VIII Meetings

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Section 1. – County Convention. The Central Committee shall hold a County Convention after every General Primary Election, as provided by the laws of the State of Illinois. The Convention’s purpose is to organize the Central Committee. Notice of this meeting shall be in compliance with the laws of the State of Illinois regarding the County Convention. Section 2. – Regular and Special Meetings. The County Chairman shall call such other meetings of the Central Committee or the Executive Board as may be appropriate Section 3. – Petition Call of Meetings. Members of the Central Committee may call a meeting by obtaining signatures of twenty-five percent of the currently appointed and/or elected Members on a petition requesting a meeting. Section 4. – Notice. All meetings of the Central Committee, other than the County Convention, shall be called by notice to be sent at least ten (10) days before such meeting by the Secretary, to the current membership roster. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice may be sent via facsimile and shall be deemed delivered on the day faxed. Notice may be given via e-mail with receipt confirmation and shall be deemed delivered upon return of confirmation receipt. It shall be the Member’s sole responsibility to inform the Secretary of any changes in address, facsimile number, and/or e-mail address. As long as the notice is actually delivered, notice provided to the address, facsimile, or e-mail address of record with the Secretary on the current membership roster shall be deemed valid notice regardless of whether or not the Member actually receives said notice. Section 5. – Quorum. In order for the Ford County Republican Central Committee to conduct business there must be a quorum present. A quorum of the Central Committee at meetings shall consist of at least thirty percent of all Committeemen. ARTICLE IX Standing Committees Section 1 - Executive Board A. – Duties. The Executive Board shall advise the County Chairman, and, together with the County Chairman, shall act as the advisory body to the Central Committee. Each member shall have one vote and a majority vote shall decide all issues. B. - Executive Board Composition. The Executive Board shall consist of the County Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Chair-District 1, Vice Chair-District 2, and Vice Chair-District 3. C. – Meetings. The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the County Chairman or upon petition of any three voting members of the Executive Board. Notice of any meeting, giving the time and place of the meeting, shall be provided to all members of the Executive Board at least five (5) days before the meeting and shall follow the provisions in Article VIII. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be open to all Members unless the Executive Board votes to go into closed session. Proposed – 12/15/2012

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D. - Quorum. In order for the Executive Board of the Ford County Republican Central Committee to conduct business there must be a quorum present. A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of a majority of the executive board members. E. - Powers. The Executive Board shall be subject to the orders of the members of the Central Committee, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the Central Committee.” Section 2 - Finance & Audit Committee A. - Duties. The committee shall perform the annual audit; provide for continuing review of financial procedures; and aid the treasurer in assuring compliance with applicable laws. During the audit, the treasurer will act as a resource person and as a member of the committee. The Committee shall prepare an annual budget 30 days after the County Convention with input from the various officers and other committees as appropriate. B.- Finance & Audit Committee Composition. This committee shall consist of the Treasurer and three other members appointed by the Chairman with the consent of a majority of the Members present at any meeting where there is a quorum. C. – Meetings. The Finance & Audit Committee shall meet as needed to help conduct the business of the Central Committee. This includes meeting at the call of the County Chairman or upon petition of any two voting members of the committee. Notice of any meeting, giving the time and place of the meeting, shall be provided to all members of the Finance & Audit Committee at least ten (10) days before the meeting and shall follow the provisions in Article X. Meetings of the Finance & Audit Committee shall be open to all Members unless the Finance & Audit Committee votes to go into closed session. D. - Quorum. In order for the Finance & Audit Committee of the Ford County Republican Central Committee to conduct business there must be a quorum present. A quorum of the Finance & Audit Committee shall consist of a majority of the members on the committee. ARTICLE X Procedures for Expenditures Any member of the Central Committee may request funds for activities related to the Committee's activities. While such expenditures should be pre-approved by vote at a regular meeting, amounts up to $500.00 may be approved by the Chairman and paid by the Treasurer upon submission of receipts and a report of use of the funds. Amounts over $500.00 require a vote at a Regular or Special meeting of the Central Committee or the Executive Board. Expenditures by the Chairman need the approval of the Vice-Chairman and the Treasurer with a similar $500.00 limit. Multiple expenditures shall not be made in order to avoid the $500 limit. ARTICLE XI Parliamentary Authority The Rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the County Central Committee in all cases to which they are applicable and in Proposed – 12/15/2012

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which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws and any special rules or orders which the County Central Committee may adopt. ARTICLE XII Amendment of By-Laws These By-laws may be amended at a general meeting of the Central Committee by two thirds roll call vote of all voting members present where there is a quorum present and provided that the proposed amendment(s) have been submitted to the Officers and the Members at least 10 days prior to such meeting pursuant to the notice provisions contained in Article VIII, Section 4.

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Appendix I Campaign Disclosure/Reporting of Receipts & Expenditures The Ford County Republican Central Committee, like most political committees, is required to report its receipts and expenditures, quarterly, to the State Board of Elections. A brief summary of reporting requirements follows: Receipts and expenditures less than $150 are ‘lumped together’ and reported as a total (example, 10 contributions of $100 each, during the quarterly reporting period, are reported as $1000). Receipts and expenditures of $150 or more MUST be ITEMIZED (example, 5 contributions of $200 each must be itemized, INCLUDING Name, Address, Employer and Occupation for each contributor). NOTE: Separate receipts from the same contributor or separate expenditures to the same vendor within the reporting period, which are individually less than $150 but which exceed $150 in the aggregate, must be itemized. In-Kind contributions must also be reported (example, your treasurer contributes postage for mailing of quarterly campaign disclosure reports, for mailing checks in payment of bills, and the use of a post office box; and files with the committee (treasurer) for its campaign disclosure records, an In-Kind Contribution Notification. Contributions of $1000 or more MUST be reported within 5 days (within 2 days if 30 days or less before an election). Mailing is NOT recommended. An individual collecting/accepting contributions from 5 or more persons aggregating $3000 or more (a ‘bundler’) must be reported, including Name, Address and Occupation. Because timing is or may be critical, it is essential that contributions and expenditures be brought to the attention of the treasurer, as soon as possible. It is preferable that expenses be paid by Committee check rather than be reimbursed to an individual committeeman/woman. There are serious fines, starting at $5000, for violations of the campaign disclosure laws. If you have questions, contact the treasurer, currently C W (Chip) Pacey, 217-249-4576; the Chairman; or the State Board of Elections.

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Appendix II

Ford County Republican Precincts and Townships

*Cabery

Rogers (1)

District 1 District 2 District 3

* Kempton

Mona (1)

August 2012

Pella (1)

* Piper City

District 2

Brenton (1)

Lyman (1) Sullivant (1) * Sibley

Peach Orchard (1)

* Roberts

*Melvin

Wall (1)

District 3 * Gibson City

* Elliott

Drummer (5)

Dix (1)

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* Paxton

District 1 Patton (7)

Button (1)

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