D46 board member addresses election law violation finding
Grayslake Elementary District 46 board member Susan Facklam says she disagrees with a prosecutor’s finding she broke state election law when registering people to vote before the April election.
In a written statement she issued over the weekend, Facklam also said she’ll remain on the District 46 board. Some board members contend she should quit in response to the opinion issued by Lake County Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Daniel Jasica.
“As a longtime resident of Grayslake and a three-term board member, I am committed to making the education of our children in our district my top priority and will continue to stand up against issues I believe are detrimental to the school district and our children,” Facklam said.
Last month, Jasica confirmed to the Daily Herald he wrote a letter to Facklam in August with his finding that concluded she committed a felony violation of Illinois election code by registering two people to vote and giving them $5 restaurant gift certificates.
Jasica said “prosecutorial discretion” and lack of a “broader pattern of illegal payments” combined in the decision to not pursue a criminal case against Facklam, who had been a volunteer deputy voter registrar. His finding capped a probe that began in April.
But Facklam disputes Jasica’s conclusion in her first public comment on the investigation.
“I strongly disagree with their opinion that I broke the law,” Facklam said. “I did not do anything wrong by giving two $5 gift cards that I already had to a family friend and her friend. The gift cards were not given in exchange for anything.”
Facklam retained her District 46 board post in the hotly contested April election, with newcomers Kip Evans and Shannon Smigielski winning the other two seats. Former board president Mary Garcia and Marchell Norris fell short.
Round Lake attorney Gerald Dietz pursued the election code accusations against Facklam on behalf of Lake County Tea Party founder Linwood “Lennie” Jarratt of Round Lake Beach. He provided prosecutors with an email from Facklam to Garcia stating: “Don’t let them turn us in; gifts to register to vote is probably illegal!”
Dietz said an open-records request in March was used to obtain emails from Garcia’s account at Northbrook/Glenview Elementary District 30, where she’s a teacher.
“I was surprised and saddened by the allegations that were made against me,” Facklam said.
Earlier this month, District 46 board members censured Facklam for inappropriate actions.
Lake County Clerk Willard Helander said Facklam resigned as a deputy voter registrar in August.
Facklam said she has been heavily involved over the years at Grayslake schools. Previous volunteer roles include time on Grayslake High School District 127’s discipline committee.
Full text of Susan Facklam’s statement
I have been a resident of Grayslake for nearly 20 years and the mother of 3 boys who attended the Grayslake schools. Over that period of time, I have been deeply involved in many ways with the Grayslake community schools. I am particularly proud of my contributions on the District 46 boundary committee, District 127 discipline committee and the parent advisory committee at Grayslake Central. I have also been very involved with the Avon PTF and helped run the joint Meadowview and Avon Market Day for many years. I was surprised and saddened by the allegations that were made against me. Over the past few months, attorneys and investigators of the Lake County States Attorneys office looked into allegations that I gave gift cards to induce people to register to vote and concluded no further action was necessary. I am very happy that they have decided to end this matter. However, I strongly disagree with their opinion that I broke the law. I did not do anything wrong by giving two $5 gift cards that I already had to a family friend and her friend. The gift cards were not given in exchange for anything. As a long-time resident of Grayslake and a 3-term board member, I am committed to making the education of the children in our district my top priority and will continue to stand up against issues that I believe are detrimental to the school district and our children. Therefore, I will continue to serve our constituents as an elected board member for Community Consolidated School District 46.
Sue Facklam
School Board member CCSD #46