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Lockport electoral board adopts hearing rules and delays objection to Susan King after late recusal motion
Summary
The Lockport electoral board adopted procedural rules for petition challenges, heard an objection to Susan King’s nominating papers, and agreed to reconvene Dec. 16 to allow review of a late-filed motion to recuse a board member.
The Lockport electoral board adopted rules governing challenges to nominating petitions and postponed action on an objection to Susan King’s nominating papers after counsel filed a late motion seeking recusal of a board member.
Board members voted to adopt procedures that spell out testimony order, oath administration, cross-examination rights and the board’s deliberation and vote process. The rules, presented at the outset of the hearing as required by the Illinois Election Code, state that the objector bears the burden of proof and that objections are typically addressed separately so the board can resolve each legal element individually.
Mark Loebes identified himself as the objector and gave a Lockport address; his attorney, Matthew Campbell of the firm identified verbally as "KJG," appeared for him. Susan King, the candidate whose nominating papers are challenged, gave her name and Lockport address for the record.
An official told the board that counsel for the objector submitted a motion to recuse board member Stephen Scribe shortly before the clerk's 4:30 p.m. close of business. Because the filing was late and cited cases that require legal review, the presiding official said the board needed more time to research whether the recusal argument had merit and whether any replacement member would be needed.
"We did need more time to review the case," one official said, adding that the board had met the statutory requirement to hold an initial hearing but required additional time to examine the recusal filings. The board discussed scheduling and agreed to reconvene on December 16 at 7 p.m. in City Council chambers to continue the matter.
A motion to adopt the hearing rules was made and seconded; a roll-call vote recorded 'yes' responses from Kathy Gentile, Jerrick Locley and the mayor, approving the rules. The board then moved to adjourn pending the reconvened date.
Next steps: The board is scheduled to reconvene on December 16 at 7:00 p.m. to address the late motion to recuse and to proceed with the objection to Susan King's nominating papers.
