State election board could penalize 2 COD trustees

The state election board may fine two College of DuPage trustees for filing faulty campaign paperwork.

Former trustee Kory Atkinson submitted the complaints several weeks ago against current board Chairman Kathy Wessel and recently elected trustee Sandy Kim.

The election board voted to uphold Atkinson's complaint and could impose fines. However, Wessel and Kim said they've been told any penalties may be suspended because this was their first offense.

An official from the election board said the possible fines would range between $25 and $50 for each day the candidates were late in filing.

Wessel had initially filed a "nonparticipation" report with the state, but donated $800 from her campaign funds to Kim's campaign just before the April election. Wessel wasn't up for re-election this year.

"I made a mistake," Wessel said. "I wasn't going to do anything and then at the last minute I decided I would participate and I didn't file the correct report on time."

Kim said she mailed her campaign reports, but they were returned because of insufficient postage. She said when she called the election board to explain her plight, she was told to simply fax the papers instead. Kim said the state worker told her it wouldn't be a problem unless someone filed a complaint.

"It's my first election," Kim said. "It wasn't like I was trying to withhold it from the public."

Atkinson also opposed Kim's candidacy paperwork before the election. He filed objections to five other candidacies besides Kim's. Atkinson claimed Kim hadn't lived within the boundaries of the college district for a year before the election, but a special electoral board determined she met the residency requirement after a lengthy hearing in February.

Atkinson did not run for re-election, instead choosing to run unopposed for a seat on the Roselle village board.