Union-backed candidates sweep Woodland board seats
Five candidates supported by a teachers union swept Woodland Elementary District 50 board seats in Tuesday's election.
But Lake County Federation of Teachers field service director Matt Beverly said the idea that union influence tilted the outcome in the Gurnee-based district would be an overstatement.
Beverly said recent employee cuts and budget reductions likely affected voters' decisions more than the endorsements of the union's Woodland Council, which represents District 50 teachers. The union backed seven of the 11 candidates who ran for the five board seats.
"The community is going to have a heightened sense of awareness of what's happening," Beverly said Wednesday.
The election came as Woodland officials investigate whether any laws or policies were violated when a union official sent a mass email about the endorsements to employees over the district's system.
Incumbent Vincent Juarez was one of four candidates who did not receive union support in the March 9 email. He was defeated soundly Tuesday by Elizabeth Helgren, who was backed by the union in the email that said she was "running against Juarez."
On Wednesday, Juarez said the election should not have had interference from the union.
"Absolutely, I think the email ... sent out before the election had an effect," he said.
Beverly disputed that, saying only about 150 to 200 District 50 employees live within district boundaries.
Union-supported candidates Joseph DeRosa, Joyce Mason, Jennifer Haack and Carla Little won the four, 4-year positions at stake in Tuesday's election. Unsuccessful candidates Richard Payne and Bill Barnabee also received union backing.
Lake County state's attorney's office spokeswoman Cynthia Vargas said Woodland officials approached prosecutors out of concern the email violated Illinois election law prohibiting use of public resources for political purposes. She said the office does not have jurisdiction and referred the matter back to the district.
Woodland spokeswoman Carolyn Waller said Wednesday the district is investigating the matter and is unable to comment further at this time.
Beverly said an attempt was made to rescind the email within 30 minutes of it being sent and the union official later apologized.