Court ruling removes Lake County Board challenger from ballot

The Democratic primary race for Lake County Board District 16 took a turn Wednesday when a court ruling that, barring a successful appeal, removes the challenger from the ballot.

Juan Beto Ruiz said he is “extremely disappointed” by the decision and weighing his options for a possible appeal.

Ruiz is challenging incumbent Esiah Campos for the county board seat that represents a district that includes Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights and portions of Round Lake and Round Lake Park.

An objection to Ruiz' nominating petitions was rejected by the Lake County Electoral Board in November. But the finding was appealed and the objection upheld by Lake County Associate Judge Luis A. Berrones.

Three district residents objected to the nomination papers on the grounds Ruiz failed to use his surname of “Reynoso,” or alternatively his complete surname of “Ruiz Reynoso” on petitions.

As it stands, the name “Juan Beto Ruiz” has been printed on District 16 ballot.

Ruiz, a Round Lake resident, can ask the Illinois appellate court to reverse the county judge’s ruling or he could mount a write-in campaign, Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega said. Non-write-in votes for Ruiz will not be counted unless he successfully appeals Wednesday’s decision.

In a statement, Campos said the decision was “exactly what we anticipated.”

“If you’re running for office, you must be able to follow the straightforward and transparent rules set by the legislature,” the Round Lake resident added. “If you can’t do that, how can you be an effective steward as an elected official?”

The campaign matched the well-funded Campos, who reported $159,597 funds available as of Dec. 31, against newcomer Ruiz, who registered his campaign committee on Feb. 25 and listed $3,180 available as of that date.

Campos is a Navy veteran and pension analyst for the Teamsters union Local 705. When he won office in 2022, he became the first Latino elected to the county board and its youngest member.

He said he wanted to continue momentum in areas such as improving infrastructure and making government more inclusive and accessible.

Ruiz is an IT/data manager for Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46 and has no political experience.

He contends the district has been underrepresented because of Campos' absences from county and forest board meetings.

“I will be there and I will be present,” he said earlier in the campaign.