Updated: Crestwood Candidate Will Stay on Ballot

A candidate for Crestwood's Ward II aldermanic seat may have violated city charter by running for office despite a previous felony conviction, South County Times reported last week. However, Bill Schelinski's name will appear on the April 2 ballot.

What happens next is still up in the air.

Schelinski was convicted of aggravated assault in Illinois in 1996, South County Times reported. Schelinski told South County Times the copy of the city charter he received had no mention of felony convictions prohibiting residents from running for office.

During Tuesday's Board of Aldermen meeting city attorney Robert Golterman said neither he or City Clerk Tina Flowers had seen documents related to the allegations, and have not made a determination as to whether Schelinski would be able to hold office.

He is running against Mary Stadter for the seat being vacated by Bob Deutschmann.

"We are in the process of attempting to verify what has been reported, through our independent sources," Golterman said. "Once we have that information we'll be in a better position to reach a conclusion."

Due to the timing of the news, Schelinski's name cannot be taken off the ballot, Golterman said. If residents vote Schelinski into office but the city determines he cannot serve as an elected official, the seat will be considered vacant and Mayor Jeff Schlink would then appoint the replacement.

Schelinski did not participate in scheduled candidate forums at St. Elizabeth of Hungary this past Saturday, or one at City Hall prior to Tuesday's meeting.

Update posted March 28, 11:30 a.m.:

Schelinski provided a statement to Crestwood Independent, a blog run by Crestwood resident Tom Ford. 

Addressing " Dan Hogan et. al.," Schelinski said, "I don't know where you came up with your information on anyone beating anyone, but I do know there are no ambulance (EMT), police, or hospital reports that show any evidence of any kind of physical violence done on any person in this case."

Read Schelinski's full statement on Crestwood Independent, which includes details on the information he was provided when he submitted his candidacy.