Mayor's wife files Pingree Grove petition challenge

A first-time candidate running for a four-year board seat in Pingree Grove faces a petition challenge from the village president's wife that may knock him off the ballot.

Brook Carey, an attorney and former Kane County assistant state's attorney, is challenging some of the signatures obtained by candidate Brian Paszkiewicz.

In her filings dated Monday, Carey outlines four reasons the electoral board should invalidate 26 signatures:

• The board should toss out all 16 signatures on page three because Paszkiewicz did not sign one of the places reserved for the petition circulator's signature.

• Five signatures differ from the way they appear on records from the Kane County Clerk's office.

• Four signatures belong to people who are not registered to vote.

• One signature appears to have been improperly deleted.

Thirty-six signatures are required to run for office in Pingree Grove and Paszkiewicz had 51. If the electoral panel throws out 16 signatures, Paszkiewicz will be ineligible to run for office.

Carey said Thursday she reviewed everyone's nomination papers and only found discrepancies with Paszkiewicz's. No one else has filed challenges against him or any other candidates.

Carey declined to comment further.

Paszkiewicz, a board meeting regular, did not return a phone call Thursday.

A three-member panel will determine his fate Tuesday.

Village President Wyman “Clint” Carey, who is not seeking another term, and interim Village Clerk Bill Barlow have recused themselves as members of the electoral board, citing impartiality concerns.

When that happens, the chief judge appoints two attorneys to fill their places.

They will join Steve Wiedmeyer, Pingree Grove's most senior trustee.

Clint Carey said he has nothing to do with his wife's petition challenge.

“She's her own woman,” he said.