Arlington Heights Democrats Page, Renz face petition objections

Two Democratic candidates for the state legislature are fighting to stay on the November ballot after GOP supporters filed objections to their nominating petitions.

The Cook County Electoral Board held preliminary hearings Tuesday on the candidacies of David Page, who’s vying for state Sen. Matt Murphy’s 27th District seat, and Curt Renz, who’s challenging state Rep. David Harris in the newly drawn 53rd District.

Page and Renz, both of Arlington Heights, were slated as candidates last month after no Democrats sought the legislative seats in the March primary.

Palatine resident Beatrice Sutton, a member of the conservative 912 Patriots group, disputed Page’s candidacy. Her objection states that the appropriate legislative committee didn’t file the required paperwork with the Illinois State Board of Elections or properly notify members of the district as to a slating meeting.

Sutton also says the Democrats’ resolution to fill a vacancy contains onlyPalatine Township Democratic Committeewoman Sue Walton’s signature, and she represents just one-third of the district.

In the second objection, Mount Prospect resident Maureen Falcon states that Renz failed to file a “notice of appointment” related to the vacancy being filled.

She also claims Renz, a veteran who worked in real estate and investments, fell 48 signatures short of the required 500 valid entries needed. Falcon said 154 signatures should be scratched, citing reasons such as names appearing twice on the petition.

Falcon, a retired teacher and current Republican precinct captain in Wheeling and Elk Grove townships, said her concern is with following the rules.

“It’s just fair that other people who haven’t gotten signatures (aren’t allowed to be) candidates,” Falcon said.

Future hearings on the challenges have yet to be scheduled.