On Monday September 12th Associate Circuit Judge Scott Kording filed a Case Management Order for Kathy Siracuse versus Patrick Dullard.
The case arises from an August 30th decision by the Normal Electoral Board that found in favor of Patrick Dullard regarding a petition submitted by Siracuse to put a referendum on the November 8th ballot. The proposed referendum asks should the town be divided into six districts.
On September 2nd Siracuse filed a Petition for Judiciary review with the Circuit Court for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. Subsequently Judge Kording was assigned the case.
Kording’s management order sets out how the case will proceed.
Shestokas Files Supplemental Memorandum in Siracuse versus Dullard
The order requires the Normal Electoral Board file its Record of Proceedings by 4:00 p.m. on Friday September 16th.
Any formal written response from a respondent regarding the petitioners judicial review petition must be filed by 4:00 p.m. on Monday September 19th according to the order. In such a case the respondent must send copies to all parties.
The order requires the petitioner to submit any further supplemental papers or responses to respondents submittals on or before 4:00 p.m. Wednesday the 21st. The petitioner is required to serve copies of any such filings to the respondents.
The hearing for the case is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23rd.
On Tuesday the 13th, Kathy Michael, a Respondent in her official capacity as McLean County Clerk, filed a Motion for an Expedited Hearing. The request was filed by Don Knapp in his capacity as State’s Attorney representing McLean County government.
Michael is concerned about timing as she needs to have ballots ready for September 29th early voting. A Zoom meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Friday the 16th to hear her request with all parties present.
The public may also join the meeting but is asked to respect the fact they are watching a court proceeding and be mindful to mute all microphones and turn off cameras. Below is the link, meeting ID, and password.
https://zoom.us/j/97522600369?pwd=Q0k0Mkg2WG1hR2VTZGMyVmVHdnJ6UT09
Meeting ID: 975 2260 0369
Password: 717110
If it Looks like a Village and quacks like a Village….it’s a Village!
Patrick Dullard is now represented by attorney Todd Greenburg. The Town of Normal is one of his clients. He is former Corporate Council for the City of Bloomington. Greenburg said he left that position because former Mayor Tari Renner wanted him to. After that he worked in the same position for Springfield.
The McLean County League of Women Voters is gearing up to oppose the contested referendum should it make the ballot. The group came to the decision on Tuesday night following the presentation of a study they funded. The study results were presented by former Normal City Manager Mark Peterson.
McLean County League of Women Voters President Laurie Bergner said the study included interviews with former and current Town of Normal and City of Bloomington council members, Peterson, former Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner, and former McLean County Administrator Terry Lindberg.
