‘Pretty much a waiting game’: Lake County board challenger awaits appellate ruling

The Democratic primary campaign for Lake County Board District 16 has become murkier as Juan Beto Ruiz, who is challenging incumbent Esiah Campos, takes his case to the Illinois appellate court.

As it stands, a circuit court ruling agreeing with objectors to Ruiz’ nominating petitions removed him from the ballot in the district that covers the Round Lake area.

Ruiz subsequently appealed and filed a motion to stay the circuit court finding until the appellate court issues a ruling. When that will happen is to be determined.

“Right now, it’s pretty much a waiting game,” Ruiz said Tuesday.

Ruiz said the situation has delayed his campaigning and created financial hardship and has been “an attempt to keep me under the radar.”

“I think we have woken up the community,” he added.

He continues to fight based on community input, the Round Lake Beach resident added.

Campos, also of Round Lake Beach, on Tuesday said Ruiz has the right to appeal but didn’t follow the law as ruled by the circuit court.

“Despite his appeal and his name appearing on the ballot, he is still not a candidate for the Lake County Board for a reason, because he did not follow the law,” Campos said.

“As the (circuit court) ruling states, the board of elections made a mistake and misapplied the law during the first challenge,” he added, “this issue should have been resolved way before the ballots were printed to protect the integrity of the election.”

Three district residents argued Ruiz did not use his surname, “Reynoso,” or his complete surname, “Ruiz Reynoso,” on petitions. The Lake County Electoral Board rejected the ruling but the objection was upheld in circuit court.

Ballots have been printed listing “Juan Beto Ruiz” as a candidate. As of Monday, 802 vote-by-mail ballots had been issued to Democratic voters in District 16 and 350 had been returned, according to Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega.

There is wiggle room as results are unofficial until certified by Vega April 6.

“We are hoping the appellate court rules well before then,” Vega said. “It is a very rare circumstance.”