Schools

NLSD122 Member Miller Files Federal Lawsuit Against Broderick

New Lenox School District 122 board member Kathy Miller filed a federal lawsuit against fellow board member Maureen Broderick, accusing her of violating her 1st and 14th amendment rights.

New Lenox School District 122 board member Kathy Miller filed a federal lawsuit against fellow board member Maureen Broderick. The suit alleges that Broderick violated Miller's First and 14th amendment rights.

According to the Miller's attorney Mike Foley, the suit was filed on March 27 at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago. The lawsuit stems from the Jan. 11 election hearing regarding Miller's candidate petition. The 2-1 vote at that hearing temporarily removed Miller's name from the April 9 election ballot. Ultimately, Miller was placed back on the ballot.

The notary error on the petition was determined on Jan. 28 .

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Broderick was accused of orchestrating the objection to the petition in such a way that she could sit on the district's Election Board and vote in favor of invalidating Miller's petition.

Foley said, "We're alleging essentially that Maureen Broderick caused a petition to be filed first under her own name and then under another person acting on her behalf. Then she withdrew her own objection because she knew she could not be on the election board."

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

He pointed out that the difference between the two objections was "zero." They were identical right down to the "typos," he said.

The case was filed in federal court because these are federal claims, said Foley. The three points to the lawsuit allege that Broderick:

  • Denied Miller of due process in regard to the election hearing
  • Denied Miller the right to stand for public office
  • Denied Miller the right to participate in the Democratic process.

Foley said, "We will not permit (the lawsuit) to cost the district money."

As of April 1, Foley said Broderick had not complied with a Freedom of Information Act request for information regarding Miller's petition or related matters from personal devices, including text messages an emails. 

Read more coverage:

  • D122 Member Kathy Miller Kicked Off April Election Ballot
  • Anonymous Tip Led to D122 Petition Objection (UPDATE)
  • Candidate Petition for New Lenox School District Challenged; Hearing Set for Friday
  • D122 Board President Says Fellow Member Was Behind Kathy Miller Objection
  • D122 Member Kathy Miller Plans to Appeal A Decision to Kick Her Off the April Ballot
  • D122 Board Member to Broderick: 'Resign or I'll Sue'
  • D122 Member Kathy Miller Pursues FOIA: Related Materials Per Ouster from Ballot

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