Jim Dodge Will Remain On Orland Ballot After Objection Withdrawn

ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park mayoral candidate Jim Dodge will stay on the ballot, after an objection to his nominating materials was pulled Monday in a meeting before the Orland Electoral Board.

Originally filed by John Hartmann, the challenge claimed former village trustee Dodge was unclear in his materials on whether he was running for village president or mayor. Illinois Municipal Code shows both terms can be used to describe the chief executive officer of a village.

The objection also asked the Electoral Board to render Dodge ineligible as a candidate for Lombard Village Clerk—a title erroneously placed instead of Orland Park village president.

The decision to withdraw the objection was announced during a meeting of the Orland Electoral Board on Monday, according to a release from Dodge's campaign and as reported by the Daily Southtown.

The board convened just days after a Cook County Judge's decision that sitting trustees Cynthia Katsenes and William Healy be removed from the Electoral Board, citing that their presence on the panel risked inherent bias in its determinations. Clerk Brian Gaspardo was allowed to keep his seat on the three-person panel.

In a Dec. 2 meeting of the Electoral Board, an attorney had pushed for the composition of the panel to be changed, citing financial links between Katsenes, Healy, Gaspardo, and incumbent Mayor Keith Pekau.

The Electoral Board is responsible for overseeing election-related matters, including reviewing nominee objections. Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer noted campaign contributions to either Pekau’s campaign committee or to his slate, known as the People Over Politics party. Krafthefer called into question, then, whether those on the panel could objectively assess an objection against Pekau's opponent.

Judge Maureen Ward Kirby released the ruling late Friday. Effective Dec. 6, Katsenes and Healy were replaced by James Carroll and Laura Jacksack, who appeared on the board Monday, Kirby's order read. The disqualifications of both Katsenes and Healy were warranted, Kirby said, as otherwise "the electoral board proceedings will contain an unacceptable risk of bias."

On Monday, following the withdrawal of Hartmann's objection before the Electoral Board, Dodge called the objection "frivolous," and "not backed up by law."

"Mayor Pekau and his supporters are blatantly attempting to prevent choice and democracy in Orland Park," Dodge said in a release. "This is a classic abuse of power and process, and the repercussions extend beyond mere politics; they threaten the integrity of our local elections."

In a statement Monday evening, the Village of Orland Park clarified the trustees' roles in the panel, and stood by their appointments. Pekau, by law and as a candidate for the same office to which the objection is directed, was required to recuse himself. The next most senior trustee must assume the role, the Village said.

Trustee Healy, then, was identified as the senior trustee and was required to serve on the electoral board, the Village said.

Trustee Katsenes, as the second most senior trustee, was required to serve as the chair of the board, replacing Village President Pekau.

Candidates are also able to object to the members of the electoral board, the Village continued.

"In this instance, James Dodge exercised this right, and the objections were reviewed by the court. As a result, a Cook County Court judge appointed two members of the public to replace the two trustee electoral board members but did not replace the village clerk."

With the objection against Dodge's candidacy dropped, the Village said the matter is "concluded."

"The Village of Orland Park affirms that the electoral board process adhered to the requirements of the Illinois Election Code at every step," the Village wrote. "Trustees Healy and Katsenes fulfilled their statutory obligations, and the candidate’s right to challenge the board members was fully honored.

"The Village remains committed to transparency and fairness in all electoral matters and will continue to uphold the integrity of its procedures."

Dodge said he intends to sue to recover legal fees incurred throughout the process.

"This is an old-school, machine political trick," Dodge told Patch, "and it didn’t work."

Dodge, who tops the ticket for the Orland Park for All slate, joined by Mary Ryan Norwell for clerk, and trustee candidates Dina M. Lawrence, John Lawler and Joanna M. Liotine Leafblad.

They'll take on Pekau's People Over Politics, led by Pekau and with current trustees Sean Kampas and Brian Riordan, along with newly appointed clerk Brian Gaspardo joining the ticket. Carol McGury will also seek a trustee spot.

In a previous release issued last week, Pekau accused Dodge of an "attack" against the panel.

"Jim Dodge and his slate are running on a platform of treating everyone with respect, yet they belittle and attack our Electoral Board for lawfully completing their duties during Dodge’s petition challenge hearing.

"... While we may not like the process, it is the law, and attacking our own residents because of it is not the way to handle your business."