Lencioni to stay on the ballot in St. Charles
Paul Lencioni will stay on the ballot as a Ward 3 alderman candidate in St. Charles after an objection to his candidacy in the April 6 consolidated election was ruled invalid during Monday's hearing of the St. Charles Election Board.
St. Charles City Clerk Charles Amenta, the other candidate for Ward 3 alderman, submitted the objection to Lencioni's candidacy on Dec. 23 based on Lencioni holding a liquor license. A St. Charles ordinance prohibits residents with a liquor license from being an elected official in the city so - as of now - Lencioni cannot be sworn in even if he wins.
Lencioni's attorney, Laura Julien, argued Monday to dismiss Amenta's objection because it didn't meet election code standards with its wording. She said the objection didn't adhere to specific requirements including a stated nature of the objection, the interest of the objector and the relief requested from the St. Charles Election Board.
Because he isn't allowed to amend the objection and make the necessary changes, Amenta said after Monday's hearing he will not appeal the decision to the Kane County Circuit Court even though he has five days to do so.
"The errors in the filing of my paperwork are something I can't overcome," Amenta said. "I'll keep pursuing my candidacy."
Amenta was not permitted to present the details of his objection at Monday's hearing but he said afterward that it centered on Lencioni signing candidacy paperwork confirming he meets the qualifications even though Lencioni has publicly acknowledged he can't be seated because he holds a liquor license.
"It's unfortunate that I wasn't able to make my argument but I understand the decision of the panel," Amenta said. "Rules and state statute are very important to follow for everyone, not just in an objection but also in our candidacy paperwork."
Because the deadline to file an objection passed on Dec. 30 and no one else protested Lencioni's candidacy, he'll be on the ballot in April.
As of now, though, the ordinance prevents Lencioni from taking office as an alderman if he defeats Amenta. The city council could change the ordinance, but at past meetings the aldermen have declined to take action.
"I'm happy for St. Charles because this is a race that needs to be run," said Lencioni, the president and CEO of Blue Goose Market in St. Charles. "We're in a time of change and this is the first step to starting a different kind of dialogue in our local government that is focused on giving people a voice."
Thomas Bastian, legal counsel for the election board, recommended dismissal of Amenta's objection. All three members of the election board - St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina, Ward 2 Alderman Art Lemke and Ward 1 Alderman Dan Stellato - voted to dismiss.
"The people of St. Charles, understanding the issues, will send a voice at the ballot box any way they desire," Rogina said.