Outside counsel hired by the Town of Normal to review petitions for the 2023 Municipal Election identified three petitions as “non-conforming” and issued its statement to the petitioners.
On Nov. 28, the following people filed petitions for positions which are not elective offices under the Town Code:
Amy Conklin – Town Clerk
Charles Sila – Town Collector
Robert Shoraga – Town Supervisor
Following these submissions, the Town of Normal retained outside counsel, Michael J. Kasper of Chicago, to review the petitions for legal conformity.
On Dec. 2, Kasper issued a determination, and the petitioners were sent a letter via first class U.S. Mail explaining this opinion (see attached PDFs).
In summary, outside counsel’s opinion states:
· The offices for which the petitions were filed are not elective offices under the Town Code.
· As a result, the Town of Normal cannot certify these names to the County Clerk for inclusion on the 2023 municipal ballot.
· The petitioners’ names will not appear on the April 2023 municipal ballot.
Electoral Board Meeting Confirmed
On Dec. 5, Patrick Dullard and Jeff Fritzen, both of Normal, filed objections to the petitions for these positions. These objections will go before the Town of Normal Electoral Board at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 9 in Council Chambers at City Hall (4th floor, Uptown Station).
According to Election Code, the members of the Electoral Board are the mayor (Chris Koos), the clerk (Angie Huonker) and the longest serving councilmember (Kevin McCarthy). Because the clerk’s position is questioned in this matter, Councilmember Scott Preston will serve in the clerk’s place.
Additional nomination papers
Also on Nov. 28, after normal business hours and after the Town of Normal Clerk’s office closed for the day, Catherine Cannon, Normal, left a packet of papers containing purported nomination information outside of City Hall.
The Town asked Kasper to review this submission. Kasper issued a determination indicating a lack of apparent conformity with legal requirements. As a result, the Town of Normal cannot certify her name to the County Clerk for inclusion on the 2023 municipal ballot. Cannon was notified of this via first class U.S. Mail (see attached).
Please review the Municipal Elections information on the Town of Normal website for additional information about the election.
