Cook County board candidate's petition challenged

Kurt "Ike" Eichaker's first run at political office may not get out of the starting block.

The 50-year-old Barrington man recently launched his primary bid against three-term Cook County Board Commissioner Gregg Goslin, a Glenview Republican.

But Eichaker received a summons on Friday that an objection was filed to his candidacy petitions, and that he'll have to appear Monday in the Cook County Clerk's office on the objection.

It was filed by longtime Goslin friend, Northfield Township Highway Commissioner Peter Amarantos. Goslin served as township supervisor from 1984 to 1997.

"I'm aware of (the objection), but I didn't initiate it," Goslin said. "Peter is pretty passionate about people following the rules."

Amarantos' objection states that petitions must be consecutively numbered and securely bound, but that Eichaker's "were not securely bound and, in fact, not bound at all."

Eichaker worked as a chemical specialist for a federal government contractor for many years before he was in a car accident on the job several years ago that left his leg badly mangled. He was classified as legally disabled, but fought the label and waived his disability benefits. However, he said it's been difficult to get another job with his workers' compensation history.

Eichaker said Goslin isn't active enough at Cook County Board meetings and wants a chance to serve. He doesn't think his petitions should be thrown out on a "mere technicality."

"The fact is they're just trying to shovel me out," Eichaker said. "I'm just a citizen doing this."

Eichaker said he thought each signature had to be numbered, not the pages. And he thought using a rubber band to bind the petitions was adequate.

The Illinois State Board of Elections puts out a candidate guide explaining exactly how to fill out petitions, said Cook County Clerk spokeswoman Courtney Greve. It states the signature sheets must be numbered consecutively and neatly fastened together at one edge in book form.

Greve said the purpose of Monday's appearance is only to schedule future hearings before the County Electoral Board. No ruling will be made.