Two candidates knocked off ECC ballot

Two names have been booted from the ballot for the Elgin Community College board, but there is still a contested race for three open seats.

A three-member election board removed Darwin Adams of Streamwood and Edgar Pereda of Elgin from the ballot Monday after Elgin resident Michael Shannon objected to their candidacy. Both decisions were unanimous.

In the case of Adams, a retired Streamwood police officer, the board said he had not properly notarized his statement of candidacy as required by state statute.

“You need to fill out completely a notarized document … in order to be able to run, and that was not done in this case,” said ECC Trustee Robert McBride, who chaired the election board.

Adams said the failure to have the document notarized was an “oversight” and that he may run again in the future.

“I've always been into (helping) young people,” Adams said. “I just figured it (was the) time to be involved.”

As for Pereda, the board said he did not have nearly enough signatures.

“It did not accommodate what was needed,” McBride said. “It was not even a full page.”

Pereda could not be reached immediately for comment.

ECC board Chair Eleanor MacKinney and longtime Trustee John Duffy recused themselves from serving on the election board because they are both seeking re-election.

There were no other objections.

Along with MacKinney and Duffy, John Dalton, L. Robert Russell, Richard Geary and Robin Lisboa will be on the April ballot.

Incumbent Phyllis Folarin is not seeking re-election.