Prospect Heights candidates get lesson on election rules

You see them pop up everywhere once election season begins in front yards and window panes.

But one place campaign signs shouldn't be are in public rights of way.

Numerous complaints about Prospect Height mayoral candidate Dolly Vole's campaign signs posted on utility poles around town prompted city officials to educate candidates on city codes.

"It is against our zoning and sign code to have signs put in public rights of way and those utility poles are in rights of way," said City Administrator Pam Arrigoni. "We sent out a courtesy memo to all the candidates just reiterating our zoning ordinances, our sign code rules."

City staff picked up roughly 40 "Vote Vole" signs last week. Candidates are never billed for the city's efforts, Arrigoni said.

Vole said her campaign volunteers posted the signs on utility poles without her knowledge.

"When I saw them, I realized they were in violation," Vole said.

She said she forwarded her campaign workers a copy of the city's e-mail on what's allowed under city codes.

Vole said the city should also remove her opponent, Nick Helmer's campaign signs posted on fences and affixed on the outside of buildings.

Those signs have since been removed, Arrigoni said.

"We are a complaint-driven community," she said. "There are no violations that we know of from any candidate right now."

- Madhu Krishnamurthy

mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.com