For years, the Village of Lisle has used a political strategy to track who is gathering petitions to run for office.
If you are interested in running for office, the Village provides you with a "Candidate Packet" that you not only have to pick up in person at Village Hall during regular business hours - they also make you SIGN for a copy.
We are calling "B.S." and Lisle Watchdog is going to put an end to this practice this year. Right Now.
On the taxpayer-funded Village of Lisle website, you will find this announcement:
(3 clicks from the home page)
Candidate packets will be available in the Village Clerk’s Office beginning 7:00 AM on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. Nominating petitions may not be circulated prior to this date.
All that's missing is a link to the candidate packet, right? Mere oversight? Nope.
The Village of Lisle wants you to come into the office and SIGN for a numbered packet.
Why?
- Because the incumbents want to be prepared?
- Because staff wants time to help recruit the "right" people for the Board?
- Because the harder it is to obtain the information, the less likely busy people like you will run for office?
- Because they want to stifle public participation?
Here's a better idea. Post the packet online.
How easy is it to post the candidate packet online? Pretty darn easy.
The Village of Lisle provided a copy of the packet less than 2 hrs after we asked.
We did not need to go in and sign for it.
We did not need to wait a week for a FOIA response.
(We are still waiting for the Lisle Library & Lisle Park District to provide a copy of their candidate packets)
There is no requirement under Illinois Election Law for folks to sign and pick up a candidate packet in person from a public body. In fact, all the necessary forms are available from the State Board of Elections. No need to tip your hand that you are collecting signatures or exploring a run for local office.
Do you want to run for Village of Lisle Trustee? Lisle Watchdog is going to make it easy for you.
Here is a link to your packet to run for Trustee for the Village of Lisle.
2015 Candidate Packet - Trustee, Village of Lisle
Last Day to File: December 22, 2014 5:00 PM
Ref:
Village of Lisle Packet Pick-up signature sheets. Numbered Packets with date of pickup.
Packets have been picked up by:
Incumbents - (3)
- Mark Boyle
- Bob Mandel
- Cathy Caweizel
Potential Challengers: (5)
- Daniel Patt
- Nadine Solomon
- Kristy Grau
- William Wonais
- Marjorie Bartelli
