THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2007
Candidates Cut
6th Ward Runners Fall From 4 To 3
By TODD WESSELL
Journal Editor
The number of 6th ward City Council candidates running in the Apr. 17 election was reduced from four to three yesterday (Thursday). It could be trimmed even further.
Richard Hughes withdrew his candidacy after agreeing that three signatures on his petitions were invalid because they were first signed on the petitions of one of the other contenders, Patti McDonough. That reduced the number of signatures on Hughes' petitions from 27 to 24. A minimum of 25 valid signatures of 6th ward registered voters are required to be placed on the April ballot.
Ald. Tom Becker (6th), who is vacating his City Council post after the upcoming election, was the first to formally file an objection to Hughes petitions on Tuesday. Later in the day, McDonough also objected to Hughes petitions and at the same time filed an objection of the petitions of another 6th ward contender, Mark Walsten.
The three members of the Des Plaines Electoral Board met in City Hall Thursday morning where they learned of Hughes' withdrawal. Walsten and McDonough appeared before the board with Walsten explaining that he had only learned of the complaint against his petitions the night before and he needed more time to contact his lawyer for legal advise. City Attorney Dave Wiltse, who was advising the board, called the proceedings a "very expedited" matter saying a decision by the board concerning the validity of Walsten's petitions needs to be made quickly to allow Cook County time to print the April election ballots. Wiltse acknowledged that Walsten is entitled to at least three days to prepare for the hearings. Because of that and other scheduling issues, the board agreed to next meet on Friday, Feb. 23 at 9:30 a.m. in City Hall. At that time, a decision on Walsten's ballot placement will likely be made because a review of his petitions will have been completed at a Cook County election facility in downtown Chicago.
The three-member Electoral Board consists of Mayor Tony Arredia, City Clerk Donna McAllister and the most senior member of City Council, Ald. Tom Christiansen (2d). Also in attendance was Ald. Becker and Dave Madlener, who was assisting McDonough.
Earlier this month, McDonough, Hughes, Walsten and Joseph Catalano filed petitions to run in the 6th ward race, which encompasses much of Des Plaines' south side and Orchard Place neighborhood. Becker said earlier this week that he has not yet determined who he will support in the contest. However, he is listed as a circulator of some of Catalano's petitions. A circulator is a person who asks registered voters to sign petition forms, indicating support for that candidate.
Walsten said he has 68 signatures on his petitions. Madlener explained that he and McDonough are alleging that most of the signatures are invalid because they are either not registered voters or are not legitimate. If that is the case, they contend, the number of signatures that are valid total 23 which would knock Walsten off the ballot.
Walsten said he hopes he will be able to contact his attorney soon in order to prepare for the petition review and next Friday's Electoral Board meeting.
If Walsten's name is not allowed on the ballot, then 6th ward voters will chose between McDonough and Catalano.
Races in Des Plaines' 2d, 4th, 6th and 8th wards are being waged in the Apr. 17 election. Current aldermen Christiansen, Becker and Dick Sayad (4th) will vacate their positions after the election due to term limits.