Algonquin Township Trustee Removed From Office ... Again

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL —The state's appellate court has ruled in favor of removing Algonquin Township trustee Edward Zimel, Jr., from office.

In June, McHenry County Judge Joel Berg ruled in favor of pulling Zimel from office since he was convicted in 1990 on an intimidation charge. The Illinois Township Code prohibits a convicted felon from taking a township office, according to a news release from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office.

Zimel appealed this decision, and the order for his removal from office was stayed pending that appeal.

After hearing oral arguments Thursday from Zimel's attorney, John Nelson, and from state's attorney, Norm Vinton. the appellate court decided to uphold Berg’s decision and once again remove Zimel from his position.

• Algonquin Township Trustee Removed Over 1990 Felony Conviction
  

Zimel was charged in 1990 with two counts of felony intimidation and one count of armed violence. He pleaded guilty at the time to one count of felony intimidation.

According to Algonquin Township code, “a person is not eligible to hold any office if that person at the time required for taking the oath of office, has been convicted in any court located in the United States of any infamous crime, bribery, perjury, or other felony.”

On June 12, Berg originally ordered Zimel be removed from office due to the conviction.

"Although the felony conviction of Mr. Zimel stems from 1990, the statute does not contain any limitations or restrictions regarding the time frame for disqualification based on a felony conviction," according to the June xtatement from the state's attorney's office. "The law asserts that any felony conviction makes one ineligible to hold a township office."