Lockport Township Trustee Candidate Withdraws From Race

LOCKPORT, IL — As voters were heading to the polls, Lockport Township Trustee candidate Tim O'Neil withdrew from the race due to a previous felony conviction.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office said the Illinois Township Code disqualifies those convicted of a felony from serving in township office.

"Mr. O'Neil is currently on probation in Will County for a felony conviction from Cook County for a violation of 720 ILCS 5/17-10.6(h) continuing financial crimes enterprise, [which is a] Class 1 felony," the State's Attorney's Office told Patch.

The Will County Clerk's Office said O'Neil's name will remain on the ballot, because the candidate withdrew after the Jan. 23 deadline to certify the ballot. All votes cast for O'Neil are invalid and will not be reported by the election authority.

O'Neil was running as a Republican; the Lockport Township Republicans have not commented on the matter.