ST. CHARLES – Candidates seeking open seats on the St. Charles City Council in the April 6 consolidated election may begin filling election packets Monday.

Procedures are different this year because of the state's COVID-19 Tier 3 mitigation measures. Filing will begin at 8 a.m. Monday at the south entrance of the St. Charles Municipal Building, 2 E. Main St.

Candidates are advised to wear a mask and maintain appropriate social distancing at all times. Upon arriving at the Municipal Building, candidates should sign in with their name and cell phone number to the city staff member present.

Individual candidates will be called in the order they arrived to come inside the Municipal Building to file. Candidates who have signed in prior to 8:01 a.m. will be considered filed at 8 a.m.

These COVID-19 election filing protocols are meant to avoid candidates gathering together in the lobby of the Municipal Building, which is temporarily closed to the public as part of the Tier 3 mitigation measures. If candidates wish to file after 9 a.m. Monday, they must call 630-377-4422 to schedule an appointment.

Appointments can be made between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, through Dec. 21. The positions for mayor, city clerk, and treasurer, along with one aldermanic seat in Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are open with each carrying a four-year term.

Residents interested in running for the St. Charles City Council in 2021 can request a candidate guide by emailing cao@stcharlesil.gov.

More information about the April 6 consolidated election is on the Illinois State Board of Elections website at elections.il.gov.