Libertyville woman running for library, school boards
A Cook Memorial Public Library District board member plans to seek re-election in April while simultaneously running for a seat on a local school board.
Libertyville resident Ann E. Oakley said she decided late last year to try for a seat on the Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 board, in addition to her current post. If elected to both positions, she said she'd serve.
"I gave a lot of thought to it," said Oakley, 64. "I feel like I need to be a good citizen and serve if I can."
Although dual service with some government agencies creates conflicts of interest and is not allowed, simultaneously being on a school and library board is legal in Illinois, Lake County Clerk Willard Helander said. In 1993, then-state Attorney General Roland Burris issued an opinion supporting such service.
"There appear to be no circumstances in which the duties of the offices of public library trustee and school board member would necessarily conflict," Burris, now a U.S. senator, wrote at that time.
Helander said she's not aware of anyone who's campaigned for school and library boards at the same time in Lake County.
Cook Memorial board member Mary Ann Phillips, who's also seeking re-election in April, called Oakley a conscientious trustee and wished her well in her campaigns.
"I think it would actually be a good thing for someone who's familiar with both boards to serve on both boards," Phillips said. "I see this as a partnership opportunity."
The county has a history of politicians serving in two posts simultaneously. For example, state Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr. of Mundelein also is Fremont Township's assessor, and state Sen. Michael Bond of Grayslake also is on the Woodland Elementary District 50 board.
Also, until recently, Vernon Township Supervisor William Peterson of Long Grove simultaneously served in the state Senate.
Conversely, state Rep. Sandy Cole of Grayslake resigned from the Lake County Board after joining the House in 2007.
Oakley was elected to the library board in 2005. Her husband, Walter, unsuccessfully ran for the District 128 school board in 2003 and 2005.
Both districts cover roughly the same area, including parts of Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Indian Creek, Mettawa and Green Oaks. The school district also includes a small part of Waukegan.
Candidates began filing to appear on April 7 ballots Monday. The last day to file is next Monday, Jan. 26.
Three seats on the Cook Memorial board, each with 4-year terms, are up for election. Along with Oakley and Phillips, fellow incumbent Aaron Lawlor has submitted nominating petitions to be on the ballot.
On the District 128 board, four seats - also with 4-year terms - will be decided April 7. In addition to Oakley, incumbents Patrick Groody and Ellen Mauer are seeking re-election.
No one has yet filed for the fourth seat.
The meeting schedules of the two boards generally do not conflict. The library board typically meets Tuesdays, while the school board meets Mondays.
Mauer warned of the school board's time demands, but was open to the idea of Oakley joining the District 128 panel.
"If she's willing to make that sacrifice on behalf of the community, then welcome aboard," Mauer said.
Oakley, who was the only member of Libertyville activist Jack L. Martin's slate to win election to the library board in 2005, said she decided to run for both boards on her own.
She acknowledged some people might not like that she's running for two offices, but shrugged off the potential controversy.
"The voters are going to have their say," she said. "We'll see where it goes."