A ruling on an objection to the nominating petitions of Orland Park village president candidate Jim Dodge has been pushed back as the makeup of the electoral board hearing the challenge is debated in Cook County court.
John Hartmann filed a challenge to Dodge’s nominating petitions to challenge incumbent Village President Keith Pekau. Hartmann claims paperwork by Dodge, a former village trustee, is confusing as to whether he’s running for mayor or village president, although the terms are often using interchangeably.
Attorneys representing Dodge argued Monday the Orland Park Electoral Board’s composition doesn’t follow state statute, and said those on it have a financial interest in as they’ve supported Pekau financially.
Keri-Lyn Krafthefer, with the firm Ancel Glink, said she asked Cook County Judge Maureen Ward Kirby to appoint an electoral board comprised of members who have no connection with Orland Park.
Krafthefer and Jim Rhodes, an attorney representing the Electoral Board, said the matter is up in court Tuesday.
The Electoral Board is scheduled to reconvene at 9 a.m. Monday.
Trustees William Healy and Cynthia Katsenes are on the Electoral Board, along with Village Clerk Brian Gaspardo, recently appointed by Pekau.
Krafthefer said state election board filings show all three have made contributions, either directly to Pekau’s campaign committee or to the People Over Politics party, which includes the Pekau and incumbent trustees.
The attorney said because of the contributions, the panel members are not objective in hearing the challenge.
Also, Hartmann or his attorney apparently made an error in drafting the objection, as it asks the board to declare Dodge ineligible for the office of village clerk in Lombard, rather than Orland Park mayor.
Dennis Reboletti, an attorney representing Hartmann, said he was not sure how the error was made.
Krafthefer said even if the composition of the board remains, the remedy or outcome of what Hartmann is seeking can’t be accomplished by the Orland Park panel. She said Hartmann is barred by state election law from filing a new, corrected objection to Dodge’s paperwork.
Dodge heads the Orland Park For All ticket, and is running with clerk candidate Mary Ryan Norwell and trustee candidates John Lawler, Dina M. Lawrence and Joanna M. Liotine Leafblad.
Dodge became village clerk in 1989 was appointed trustee in 1996. He did not seek reelection in April 2021.
Pekau heads the People Over Politics ticket in the April 1 election, and running with him are Gaspardo, trustee candidates Sean Kampas and Brian Riordan, both incumbents, and Carol McGury.
mnolan@southtownstar.com
