The Homer Glen Board of Elections dominated Monday that village trustee candidate Heidi “Hadley” Pacella wouldn’t seem on the poll as a result of her identify on her nominating petitions amounted to a political slogan.
Pericles Abbasi, an lawyer for Craig Carlson who opposed 14 petitions, stated Pacella’s use of “Hadley” in his nominating petitions goes in opposition to the state election code, which bans political slogans in candidate names.
Last 12 months, Pacella protested Will County’s plan to widen a 4-mile stretch of street often called County Highway 1, which included elements of Parker Road, the Chicago-Bloomington Trail and Hadley Road. In December 2023, the Will County Council accepted the jurisdictional switch of many of the hall to Homer Glen. Just beneath half a mile lies inside New Lenox Township and has been turned over to its street district for upkeep.
Pacella created an internet site, www.parker-hadley.com, and began a change.org petition that has garnered almost 2,300 signatures from individuals focused on saving the woodland hall and preserving the environmental integrity of Homer Glen. He additionally estimated he attended 10-15 Homer Glen, Homer Township and Will County conferences.
Having “Hadley” on the poll provides her “a leg up on the competitors,” Abbasi stated.
“She made a reputation for herself with Hadley Road and the preservation of Hadley Road,” Abbasi stated. “So when she places Hadley on the poll, that is a political slogan for her. It’s letting individuals know, “Oh, she’s the one who opposed the Hadley Road undertaking.” He fought to protect it. He fought to protect the timber, protect the surroundings, and that is what he’ll do if he is in workplace.’”
Abbasi argues that context issues. He in contrast it to somebody who might have used the nickname “MAGA” in 2010 versus somebody who might use it in 2024. The 2010 use may have been interpreted as a nickname, whereas the 2024 use could be a political slogan, he stated Abbasi.
Michael Carroll, an lawyer for the elections board, stated candidates have been kicked off the poll for utilizing titles like “Coach” or “Reverend” or for utilizing slogans like “Cut Taxes.”
“There isn’t any constitutional proper to make use of the poll as a discussion board to advocate for a coverage or talk a message,” Carroll stated.
Illinois’ election code permits candidates to make use of their first names, initials or a nickname by which they’re generally identified along with their final identify, Carroll stated. No different data, comparable to political slogans, titles, titles or nicknames that indicate a title, diploma or skilled standing, could also be used, he stated.
Pacella’s lawyer, Alan Bruggeman, stated it’s “a stretch of the creativeness” to consider {that a} avenue identify is a political slogan. Pacella was utilizing the identify to advertise environmental consciousness and by no means used it in marketing campaign supplies, he stated.
“If she stated her nickname was ‘Low Tax Heidi,’ it might most likely be a political slogan,” Bruggeman stated.
Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike, head of the election board, abstained from the vote, whereas members Secretary Candice Bielski and trustee Sue Steilen voted. The identify was a misnomer that would not be used.
The Board of Elections heard objections to fifteen of 17 candidates who had utilized to run for 3 trustee positions within the spring municipal elections.
The board additionally heard an objection to Kyle Surges’ candidacy on Monday.
Voters are solely permitted to signal nomination papers for all accessible positions, that are the three open trustee positions.
The objections alleged that a number of voters had signed the petitions of 4 or extra potential candidates. These candidates embody former trustee Ruben L. Pazmino, Kevin Koukol, John Hayes, Katie Surges and Kyle Surges.
The election board heard the objection to Kyle Surges as a result of he had a signature sheet notarized on October 20, the identical day as the opposite candidates, however had most of his signatures notarized on October 26.
Abbasi argued that it could possibly be inferred that Surges collected signatures from October 20 to 26 and that these duplicate signatures must be thrown out, leaving him with an inadequate quantity.
Bruggeman stated there isn’t any proof as to who first signed which petitions and on what date. The date of the notarial deed and the date of assortment of signatures should not the identical factor, he stated.
Both Steilen and Neitzke-Troike declined to signal Surges and requested to hunt additional data from the Will County Clerk’s Office.
The board continued the listening to till Dec. 17 to finalize its determination on the objections.
Carlson stated he opposed a number of candidates due to the numerous variety of rule violations.
He stated he believed it was a calculated try to power a main in February, inflicting chaos and mocking the system. A main could be obligatory if there have been 13 individuals on the poll.
The elections board final month eliminated incumbent trustees Jennifer Trzos-Consolino, John Walters, Theresa “Tammy” Hayes and James J. Roti as a result of in addition they utilized for a college board race and can’t run for each positions on the identical time.
They additionally eliminated Daniel Gutierrez, who didn’t have sufficient signatures as soon as duplicate signatures have been eliminated. Both Cesar E. Marin and Ethan D. Fialko have been eliminated as a result of they didn’t embody their appropriate dwelling tackle on their petitions.
Michelle Mullins is a contract reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Originally printed:
