Froehlich challenges petitions of three Schaumburg library candidates

Retiring Democratic state Rep. Paul Froehlich is challenging the candidacy papers of three Schaumburg Township District Library hopefuls.

Along with Hoffman Estates resident Jeffery Carlo, Froehlich filed challenges with Cook County election authorities Tuesday aiming to remove candidates David Benson of Hoffman Estates and Gerald Bromley of Schaumburg from the April 5 ballot.

On his own, Froehlich filed a third challenge against candidate Jule Wroblewski Bosshart of Schaumburg.

In Benson's case, Froehlich said 22 of the 60 signatures on his petition are clearly from voters living outside the district. A candidate needs at least 50 valid signatures to get on the ballot.

Benson said someone he spoke with before the filing period advised him only to be sure his signatures were from Cook County residents.

“I don't know that many people in Schaumburg Township,” Benson said. “I did what I was told. I want to do the right thing, and as far as I know I did the right thing.”

The issue with Bromley is an apparent failure to file a receipt of his statement of economic interest with the library, Froehlich said.

Bromley could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday.

Froehlich's challenge to Wroblewski Bosshart claims she did not use her maiden name in her voter registration, where she is known only as Julie A. Bosshart.

Wroblewski Bosshart, the daughter of Schaumburg Township Supervisor Mary Wroblewski, said she chose to use her maiden name for the April 5 ballot because she grew up in Schaumburg and expected more people to recognize her that way. She said she had not heard of any potential legal problem with the decision.

Also seeking election to the three four-year terms on the board are incumbents Debby Miller and Nicholas Scipione and former trustee Richard Hetzer.

Library Executive Director Stephanie Sarnoff said all three challenges would be forwarded to the Cook County Electoral Board for a hearing and review.

Because he doesn't step down as state representative until Jan. 11, Froehlich said he brought Carlo in as a co-challenger in case lingering business in Springfield left him unable to attend the challenge hearings.

Froehlich's wife, Marilyn, served just over two years on the Schaumburg Township District Library board before stepping down in 2009. Scipione was appointed to her seat.