County election board approves referendum to disband Campton Hills

Proponents of a referendum to dissolve the village of Campton Hills embraced and congratulated each other Friday after the Kane County Electoral Board ruled there was enough voter support to move the measure forward.

The decision means the question is likely to appear before voters in November, although dissolution supporters say they might ask a judge to reconsider a previous ruling that has blocked it from the Feb. 5 ballot.

"We're thinking there's still a possibility," said Chris Baldwin, who is leading the effort.

The electoral board's ruling was seen as a victory for more than 2,000 residents who want to undo the municipality's April incorporation.

Over two days of testimony and tedious election-record checking, the board found 2,100 signatures were valid on a petition to put the referendum question on the ballot. The dissolution group, calling itself the Stop Campton Hills Public Action Committee, needed 2,059 signatures.

Four Campton Hills residents challenging the validity of the 200-plus page petition were successful in having nearly 300 signatures removed for various reasons, such as petition signers who weren't registered to vote or inappropriately signed a relative's name. But overall, 89 percent of the signatures were found to be legitimate.

The objectors have 10 days to file for judicial review. They also could appeal to the Kane County circuit court.

"At this moment, we're keeping our options open," said Ed Fiala, an objector.

Outside of court, Campton Hills Village President Patsy Smith, who was instrumental in the village's incorporation and opposes dissolution, had little to say about the ruling.

"It would have been nice if there were not enough signatures to keep the possibility of a referendum alive," she said. "It's just another step in the process of getting the village up and running."

To get the measure on the Feb. 5 ballot, proponents would need to convince Kane County Circuit Judge Michael J. Colwell to reverse his Dec. 3 ruling that the question could not appear on the ballot because the village already has proposed the maximum three nonbinding referendum questions.

Asked Friday whether there is time to put another question on the upcoming ballot, which was being certified this week, Kane County Deputy Clerk Jay Bennett said, "No. But if there's a court order, we have to do what we have to do." Bennett oversaw the referendum case as chairman of the county electoral board.

Should the referendum question be kept from the upcoming ballot, Bennett said it was his understanding that it would be "first in line" for a spot in next election, Nov. 7.