Burr Ridge Enforces Campaign Sign Rules: Official

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge is enforcing its campaign sign rules against both sides of the local political divide, a top village official said Friday.

Under village rules, signs are not allowed on public rights-of-way. An exception is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and only with the written consent of the property owner next to the right-of-way.

In an email Friday, Evan Walter, the village's interim administrator, said village staff has removed campaign signs for both trustee candidates groups.

"I will not tolerate favoritism towards any campaign or viewpoint, Village or otherwise," Walter said. "I direct my staff to monitor as many Village roads as possible, remove signs that are found to be in unpermitted locations, and that message of the sign should not affect our enforcement."

He said the village does not conduct enforcement on Election Day itself.

The 1-2-3 for Burr Ridge group consists of trustees Guy Franzese and Anita Mital and newcomer Russell Smith, who support Mayor Gary Grasso. The anti-mayor candidates are Trustee Zach Mottl and newcomer Elena Galinski. Grasso himself is running unopposed.

According to a police report, an officer was directed by Walter to check on right-of-way signs near County Line Road and Burr Ridge Parkway. As a result, the officer on Sunday removed two signs from the median that violated the rules, the report said. The signs were for Mottl and Galinski. The signs were taken to the village. Under the rules, they must be kept in storage for at least seven days.

In a report on Tuesday, an officer removed six more signs advertising Mottl and Galinski because they were in the public right-of-way. The signs were placed in the village garage. These actions were at Walter's direction, the report said.

The election is April 6.