Aurora alderman candidate seeks to have 2 others bounced from ballot

A candidate for the Aurora alderman-at-large position is trying to get two opposing candidates removed from the ballot, including one he alleges doesn't live in the city.

Raymond Hull, who is running for the seat, and resident Roy Rumaner say candidate Ron Woerman doesn't meet a requirement that he live in the city at least one year before being elected. The election is April 6.

At an electoral board hearing Tuesday, Woerman testified that on Feb. 1, 2020, he leased a one-bedroom apartment on Chesapeake Drive in Aurora.

Woerman said he used to live in Aurora until about 15 years ago, when he moved to Oswego. He said he began considering running for Aurora alderman in fall 2019, and that he and his wife started looking for a house to buy in Aurora.

Woerman's wife and three of his four children - daughters ages 10, 18, and 20 - still live in Oswego, in a rented house. He said he and his wife are scheduled to close on the purchase of a house in Aurora Jan. 19 and have notified their landlords that they intend to move.

He admitted to spending about 60% of his nights at the Oswego address. He also admitted the Aurora apartment lease indicated he is the only resident, although his wife and children occasionally have stayed there, that his youngest daughter is enrolled in an Oswego school and that the utility bills for the Oswego residence are in his name.

But he also pays ComEd and garbage bills, in his name, for the Aurora apartment, changed his address for his driver's license, and changed his voter registration. He bought furniture and had it delivered to the apartment, he said.

Woerman works for Spartan House and O'Malley's pubs in Aurora.

Hull also objects to the petitions filed by candidate Joseph Grisson III, saying Grisson doesn't have enough valid signatures to be on the ballot.

Hull's objection states that of the 493 signatures submitted, he found 37 signatures from people who are not registered to vote at the addresses they listed, 11 signatures that appear to have been made by one person, seven signatures from people who don't live in Aurora, and three duplicate signatures. If those were removed, Grisson would not have the required 458 signatures, Hull contends.

The electoral board will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday to make a decision about the Woerman case and hear more information on the Grisson case.

If Grisson and Woerman were removed, only Hull and Brooke Shanley would remain on the ballot.