Republican slate to appeal removal from Maine Township ballot

A Republican slate of candidates for seven of the eight elected positions of Maine Township's government intends to appeal to circuit court the township electoral board's 2-1 vote Thursday to remove it from the April 6 ballot over a candidacy objection.

The objection alleged that the Republican challengers held their caucus for candidate selection outside the township.

Earl Wilson of Des Plaines, the Republican running for Maine Township supervisor, does not deny that the caucus was held in an empty parking lot outside the township, but disputes that that is a reason for removal.

With executive orders by the governor allowing virtual meetings to take place in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Republicans argue that the physical meeting place just outside the township should be allowed.

Wilson said the caucus organizers were not just looking for any parking lot but one where entry to the meeting could be controlled to allow only Republican participants and to enable social distancing during the pandemic.

A hearing before the circuit court had not yet been scheduled Friday, Wilson said.

The people whose candidacies are in dispute are running for supervisor, clerk, highway commissioner and the township's four trustee positions. The slate did not put up a candidate for township assessor.

If the Republicans' removal from the ballot is upheld by the court, the April 6 election in Maine Township will be uncontested.