Politics & Government

Report: Appeals Court Puts Dems Back on Ballot for Will Co. Board

After being taken off the ballot in July, candidates in five districts, including those serving New Lenox, can run in November thanks to a state appellate court, the Chicago Tribune reports.

A state appellate court Wednesday put seven Democrat candidates for Will County Board back on the November ballot, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The decision reversed rulings from the Will County Electoral Board and a circuit court . Republican leaders will appeal the ruling to the Illinois Supreme Court, the Tribune reported.

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Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Candidates who were returned to the ballot include Mario Carlasare, of Frankfort, who was running in District 2; and Santino Lettieiri and John Sanchez, both of Mokena, who were running in District 12. New Lenox and Mokena are represented in District 12, which during the primary election saw Republican candidates Tom Weigel and Margo McDermed win over Chris Kosel and Ray Tuminello. 

Republicans objected to the seven Democrats being put on the ballot, claiming proper notice wasn't given for the meeting after the March primary where party leaders selected those candidates, the report stated.

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I was in attendance when chairman Scott Pyle completed his request for candidates to fill the county board vacancies," said Tim Gaffney, vice chairman for the Democrats, in an email to Patch. "And as former county Democratic chairman, there was nothing wrong with the way chairman Pyles went about the procedure."

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The board is currently Republican-led, and the three-member Will County Electoral Board has a Democratic majority, the report stated.


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