Kildeer trustee to run as write-in

Kildeer trustee Olivia Coughlin said she will campaign as a write-in candidate for re-election to her village board seat after being tossed off the ballot by a Lake County judge.

Coughlin, a 13-year board veteran, said she had won one challenge to her nominating petitions before the Kildeer election board two weeks ago. However, a judge ruled Feb. 27 that Coughlin did not properly number her petitions, and removed her from April 7 ballot.

"I am upset and disappointed because I feel the voters of Kildeer should have the right to vote for who they want," she said. "I have filed the paperwork I need to run as a write-in candidate, but without my name being on the ballot, it makes it very difficult for people to become aware of who I am."

Coughlin was the lone independent candidate seeking election to the village board. The race for three, 4-year terms now lists Ralph A. Liberatore, Barbara R. Stavropoulos and Basel Tarabein, all members of the Kildeer First party, led by mayoral candidate Nandia P. Black.

This is her fourth municipal election, Coughlin said, but the first time she has faced a challenge to her petitions. She said Kildeer resident Carol Smith filed the challenge to her petition.

Coughlin said she's running for re-election because of a high amount of turnover planned at the village level in the coming year.

"Our village manager, public works supervisor and planner are all retiring, and the highest ranking trustee after the election will be six years," she said. "The candidates on the ballot do not have experience on the board, and the new village president will only have two years of experience as a trustee when she takes over."

Stavropoulos said while there may seem to be a lack of experienced candidates on the ballot, her slate is loaded with professionals who are up to date with issues surrounding Kildeer.

"I feel that we have a good group of business-minded people who run successful businesses and will do a very good job of looking at the budget and make a positive impact in the village," she said.