Judge will hear Campton Hills write-in challenge
The latest chapter in the contentious Campton Hills spring election could be written Thursday.
That's when Kane County Judge David Akemann will hear a complaint lodged by resident James P. Newman arguing the candidacies of Village President Patsy Smith and three people on her slate are invalid because statements of their candidacy were presented to the interim village clerk at his home and not village hall.
Smith is running as a write-in candidate against Harry Blecker in the April 7 election.
Blecker, a village trustee since 2013, will have his name on the ballot, along with three other trustee candidates: Incumbents Susan George and Laura Anderson, along with newcomer Michael O'Dwyer.
Smith's slate includes write-in candidates Mike Turgeon and Don Sheluga for trustee.
A primary election will be held Tuesday to determine if a third trustee write-in candidate and Smith ally, Steve Galloway, is added to the April ballot.
Galloway must receive at least 10 percent of the highest vote total among George, Anderson and O'Dwyer to have his name on the April ballot.
Newman, who has supported Smith in the past, has said he is a "stickler for the rules" and government "should be out in the open."
Strauss was about to leave town to take his grandson to a college visit just before the Feb. 5 deadline to declare write-in candidacies.
Since there is no deputy clerk, the only option was to personally deliver papers to Strauss at his home, Ken Shepro, an attorney who represents Smith, has said.