Objection filed against Hoffman Estates candidate
An objection has been filed to the candidacy of first-time Hoffman Estates village trustee hopeful Prajesh "Pat" Patel, claiming his nominating papers contain invalid signatures and that he is not a registered voter at his listed address.
Patel is one of five candidates running for three seats on the village board in the April 7 election. The others are incumbents Anna Newell, Gary Pilafas and Gary Stanton, and former trustee Cary Collins.
Andrew Nawrocki, a member of Hoffman Estates' Emerging Technologies Advisory Commission, filed the challenge. Among the objections listed is that Patel's petition has signatures from people who live in an unincorporated area just outside Hoffman Estates on one page and signatures that are otherwise invalid on every page.
Nawrocki said that by "invalid" he means the names are either printed when they're meant to be signed or appear to be the work of the same handwriting. He declined to comment on whether he's supporting any of the other candidates in the election.
Other objections claim that Patel did not fill in the "Section Pursuant to Name Change" regarding prior names used in the last three years, and did not designate Kane County on his signature sheets or Cook and Kane counties on his statement of candidacy.
Patel said that after consulting with his attorney he believes he can defend himself against all the objections. He said he is a registered voter at the address listed on his nominating petition.
"I was a little surprised," Patel said. "My attorney said this was baseless. I do expect to prevail."
Nawrocki said the burden of proof is now on Patel to demonstrate that he is a registered voter at the listed address.
The case will be heard by Hoffman Estates' electoral board - Mayor Bill McLeod, Village Clerk Bev Romanoff and Village Trustee Karen Mills - at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at village hall.
Patel, 36, said he hopes to bring some representation to the board from segments of the community that don't currently have a voice. He said he also was inspired by what fellow Republican Bruce Rauner was able to accomplish this year in his run for Illinois governor without having made a career of politics.
"I want to represent the Asian Indian community. We're a sizable community," Patel said. "Also, I'm the youngest candidate and I want to bring some fresh blood to the board."
A banker by profession, Patel said he hopes to add more financial expertise to the board and contribute to the planning of balanced budgets.