Objections to Des Plaines health benefits referendum filed
Two Des Plaines residents have filed objections to petitions calling for a referendum on whether elected officials should get health insurance, in an effort to prevent the question from being placed on the November ballot.
In two separate filings, Mike Lake and Christine Schap argue the advisory question - "Shall part-time elected officials of the City of Des Plaines receive taxpayer-funded health, dental and life insurance benefits?" - is improper and biased.
For one, they question the stipulation that the city's elected officials are part time. They also argue the benefits aren't entirely "taxpayer-funded," since officials who accept the city health plan pay 12 percent of premium costs and the city picks up the remainder.
Lake's objection also contends many of the circulators never personally appeared before notary public James Reeder. Lake is asking the city's electoral board to issue subpoenas to Reeder and those who circulated the petitions, including Mayor Matt Bogusz and Alderman Denise Rodd.
The 3-member board that would rule on the merit of the objections is composed of the mayor, City Clerk Gloria Ludwig and the most senior alderman, Don Smith. But Lake is asking they - and the rest of the city council - be disqualified from hearing the objections since many have taken public positions and votes on the issue, and have a personal interest in the outcome of the referendum.
Rodd and Smith were the only aldermen to vote against an ordinance in March that certified the benefits within city code. They, like Bogusz, don't personally accept the perks, but the other six aldermen and city clerk do.
Aldermen voted 6-2 in April to override a mayoral veto, enabling them to keep their city health and dental coverage.
Lake, commander of Des Plaines VFW Post 2992, a frequent Bogusz critic and a one-time mayoral candidate, is represented by attorney Bob Porada, who lost the 7th Ward aldermanic race to Smith last year.
Schap, as chairwoman of the Immanuel Lutheran Church congregation, has appeared at city council meetings to oppose plans for 58 townhouses next to the church. The council Monday took a 5-4 vote in favor of Lexington Homes' project at 783-841 Lee St., with Bogusz breaking a tie.
Schap is represented by Burt Odelson, a prominent state elections law attorney.
An organizational meeting of the electoral board is tentatively scheduled for Monday at city hall. If anyone from the 3-member board steps down, the chief judge of Cook County is expected to appoint replacements.