At a Friday morning hearing held via Zoom, Associate Circuit Judge Scott Kording ruled he will expedite the hearing in the District Normal case known as Siracuse vs. Dullard. The hearing for the case was originally scheduled by Kording for Sept. 23.
However McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael, a respondent in her official capacity, filed a Motion for an Expedited Hearing on Tuesday. At the Friday morning meeting to hear Michael’s request Kording rescheduled the hearing of the case itself for 2:30 p.m. on Monday September 19th.
Michael argued she is bound by federal law to mail ballots to service members 45 days before the election. This year that date is Sept. 23. Michael prefers the District Normal case be decided as soon as possible so she she can print the ballots accurately one time and not have to reprint them.
Judge Scott Kording Sets Schedule for District Normal Appeal
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 Kathy Siracuse to put a referendum on the Nov. 8th ballot. The proposed referendum asks should the town be divided into six districts.
Dullard objected to the petition saying it only apples to cities and villages, not towns. The electoral board agreed. David Shestokas, who is the attorney representing Siracuse, maintains Normal is legally a village.
After the hearing Michael told Cities 92.9, “When I heard the date for the hearing was Sept 23, I was concerned. I knew we were up against some crucial deadlines for preparing our ballots.”
Michael continued, “I asked my attorney, Assistant State’s Attorney Chris Spanos, to file a motion to hear our case that waiting this long would put the County Clerk’s office at risk of violating state and federal elections laws.”
Shestokas Files Supplemental Memorandum in Siracuse versus Dullard
“Even if the decision is reached Tuesday, it’s cutting our time very short to get ballots ready, but we will do our best,” Michael added.
By Tuesday Michael was referencing Kording telling the attorneys that he hopes to be able to rule on Monday but if necessary he may need to call the attorneys back on Tuesday morning to set up another Zoom conference.
By attorneys Kording was speaking of Shestokas and Todd Greenburg, who represents Dullard.
