DECATUR - A local group announced Tuesday that it intends to appeal a court decision striking down its petition for a change of city government.

The move comes in response to the city council voting down a similar ballot question Monday.

Stephen Daniels of ChangeDecatur announced that the group filed a notice of appeal with the Fourth District Appellate Court in Springfield.

"The council's denial of this opportunity has forced us back into the courts to place this matter on the ballot as soon as possible," Daniels said.

The appeal continues a separate attempt at putting the question to voters through the courts. The group tried to put a referendum on the April 2009 ballot that would ask citizens whether they wanted to institute a new form of city government with a stronger mayor and council members elected from wards dividing up the city equally.

Council members currently are elected at large.

A Macon County Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of an objector to the referendum, preventing it from reaching the April 2009 ballot. The appeal seeks to revive that attempt now that the group's efforts through the city council have failed, Daniels said.

Daniels said he is hopeful of the group's chances at succeeding in court.

"The laws in this area have proved to be complex and confusing, even to judges and lawyers," Daniels said. "Our lawyer is confident and looking forward to handling our case."

Jeff Hendricks, board president of the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, which has opposed ChangeDecatur's previous attempts in court, said he is disappointed at the group's decision to appeal.

"Obviously, it's their right, but we feel the judge's ruling was fair and accurate and legal," Hendricks said.

The appeal continues a long, contentious issue that has played out in the courts and city council chambers for the past year and a half.

City Councilman Shad Edwards said the plan to elect some council members from specific geographic districts is one many citizens support.

"There have been, for numerous years, very serious cries from the inner city for programs, assistance, police response, and we hear that, but how many of us actually sit down at Illinois Street or Division and Grand?" Edwards said. "We don't spend our time there and don't recognize the problem."

Kenneth Lowe can be reached at klowe@herald-review.com or 421-7985.