Wheaton man appointed to election panel

A Wheaton attorney who recently made an unsuccessful bid to become a state representative has been appointed to fill the last vacancy on the DuPage Board of Election Commissioners.

Christopher Hage will finish the remaining term of former election board chairman J.P. “Rick” Carney. That term on the three-person panel expires in January 2013.

After Tuesday’s announcement that he had been appointed by DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin, Hage said he’s looking forward to serving on the panel that oversees the county’s electoral process.

“I want to make sure we make improvements as necessary to keep that process open, honest, fair and something that the public can have complete confidence in,” Hage said.

Carney resigned in April after Cronin and 11 county board members called for him to step down because of a consultants’ report that found poor ethics and procurement practices at the DuPage Election Commission. By the time Carney resigned, Cronin had already appointed Elmhurst Republican Cathy Ficker Terrill and West Chicago Democrat Art Ludwig to the election board.

The revamped election board has since adopted new ethics, personnel and procurement policies for the commission. It also eliminated the agency’s credit cards and banned government-issued cellphones from being used for personal reasons.

In a statement, Cronin said that he pledged to bring a professional approach to the election commission.

“Chris Hage possesses the experience and work ethic needed to oversee this key public agency,” Cronin said. “As we approach a critical national election this fall, I feel confident that the new leadership team we have installed at the election commission will work in an open, ethical manner that reflects the best interest of DuPage County voters.”

Hage is an attorney with the Oak Brook-based firm of Kathryn L. Harry and Associates P.C., where he practices criminal and family law. The 40-year-old Wheaton resident is a former DuPage assistant state’s attorney and past legal counsel to the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee in Springfield.

Cronin doesn’t need county board approval to appoint election commissioners, who are paid $27,500 a year. State law requires both political parties be represented, but Republicans hold two of the election board’s three seats.

Hage has spent time working on political campaigns for DuPage County Republicans. He serves as executive director of the Federation of Illinois Young Republicans.

In March, Hage lost his bid to become the GOP nominee for the 42nd House District, which includes parts of Wheaton, Winfield, Carol Stream, Warrenville and Lisle. He was defeated in the primary election by Jeanne Ives of Wheaton.

Hage said his past experience as a candidate helps him appreciate the importance of running elections properly. “It’s absolutely critical that people know the rules, can depend on them, and ultimately — when disputes arise — can trust that they are administered fairly,” Hage said.