Two Des Plaines alderman won't hear cases against each other
Des Plaines two most senior aldermen will recuse themselves from the city's electoral board when it convenes Friday night, preventing them from hearing cases involving each other.
Fourth Ward Alderman Dick Sayad has challenged the candidacy petitions of challenger Mark Setzer, and Bob Porada has challenged the petitions of his opponent, 7th Ward Alderman Don Smith.
The electoral board normally comprised of the most senior alderman, mayor and city clerk. Two separate three-member electoral boards will formally convene Friday, since Sayad and Smith can't hear the other's case.
Both aldermen now say they plan to step down in light of potential conflicts of interest, paving the way for the chief judge of the Cook County circuit court to appoint someone from the public in their place.
Smith said his opponent, Porada, is claiming that Smith's signature on petitions doesn't match what was on his voter registration card - the same argument Sayad is making about Setzer.
"I clearly believe Porada's objection on that basis is completely legally invalid," Smith said. "It's not fair that I sit in on (Sayad's) judgment."
The first electoral board meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday at city hall, 1420 Miner St. The second is scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m.