One election over, another begins
By Stephanie Lulay slulay@stmedianetwork.com November 19, 2012 10:10AM
Jay Leonardi, right, talks with Mavis Bates as they both file for Fourth Ward Alderman at the Aurora Election Commission on Monday, November 19, 2012. | Brian Powers~Sun-Times Media
Filing in December
Although Aurora began the filing process before Thanksgiving, many other Fox Valley municipalities won’t open a filing period for candidates until closer to Christmas.
The filing period for candidates in municipalities that will not hold a primary election begins Dec. 17 and ends Dec. 24.
The 2013 consolidated election is April 9.
Article Extras
Related Stories
Updated: December 21, 2012 6:08AM
AURORA — Less than two weeks since the last election day, about a dozen candidates lined up outside the Aurora Election Commission office early Monday morning, waiting to file election petitions for the 2013 City Council races.
Bob Shelton, candidate for 9th Ward alderman, was first in line to file for 2013 municipal elections. He said he showed up at the Election Commission offices on West Galena Boulevard at 6:20 a.m. — just before Bill Burns, who was holding a spot in line for his wife, Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns, 7th Ward.
Candidates who filed at 8 a.m. Monday will participate in a lottery at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3 to determine who will be listed first on the February primary or April general election ballots.
Candidates who filed Monday include:
Mayor: incumbent Tom Weisner
At-large: Rick Lawrence, the current 4th Ward alderman; Bob O’Connor, incumbent alderman at-large
4th Ward: Mavis Bates, Aurora Township Democrats chairman; student Jay Leonardi; actor Mike Leonardi; Bill Donnell, chairman of the Aurora Planning Commission; former at-large aldermanic candidate Kevin Mathews; mailman Chuck Norris
7th Ward: incumbent Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns
9th Ward: Edward Bugg, real estate managing partner; Marge Linnane, former planning and zoning administrator; Mike Ochs, volleyball official; Bob Shelton, former alderman at-large; political consultant Matt Harrington
10th Ward: attorney Judd Lofchie, who ran for alderman at-large in 2011
The 2nd and 3rd Ward aldermanic seats also are up for election. Alderman Lynda Elmore, 10th Ward, previously said she will not run for reelection.
The six candidates filing in the 4th Ward and five candidates filing in the 9th Ward will trigger a Feb. 26 primary race for the seats.
Bugg and Ochs applied to be appointed 9th Ward alderman in 2011, after the resignation of Alderman Leroy Keith. Weisner appointed Alderman Allan Lewandowski to the post.
Donnell complained Monday that he was told by Election Commission employees that early filing began at 9 a.m. Monday, rather than 8 a.m.
Election Commission Director Linda Fechner said she doesn’t know how that happened.
“We had it in the paper, on the website. I’m not saying that didn’t happen,” she said.
Lawrence said he won’t yet endorse a candidate for his 4th Ward spot. In addition to the four 4th Ward filers Monday, small business owner Duanne Kleckner has announced plans to run for the post.
Running for his third term, Weisner said he collected 1,500 signatures on his election petitions. He said he’s not counting out a contested race, although a mayoral challenger hasn’t come forward yet.
“You just never know. It wouldn’t be a total surprise. You’ve got to think of all the contingencies,” Weisner said.
Alderman Stephanie Kifowit, who on Nov. 6 won election to the Illinois House, said she intends to resign from her 3rd Ward post Tuesday night. After her resignation, candidates will be able to file to run for 3rd Ward alderman Wednesday morning, according to Fechner.
The filing period ends at 5 p.m. Nov. 26. The Election Commission will be closed on Thanksgiving.
For information, contact the Aurora Election Commission at 630-897-4030.
Aurora Township filers
For the first time in recent history, Aurora Democrats voted to hold a primary election for the selection of candidates for Aurora Township positions, instead of having a caucus where candidates are slated by the party. Democratic candidates who filed Monday for Aurora Township posts include:
Supervisor: Bill Catching, a current township trustee; Paul Greviskes, attorney and former Kane County Board member
Trustees (four spots will be up for election): Dolores Hicks, incumbent trustee; David Moore, incumbent trustee; Jesse Vera; Carmen Cantu
Highway Commissioner: John Shoemaker, incumbent highway commissioner
Assessor: Jason Owens
Clerk: Incumbent Herb Hill
Current Township Supervisor Christina Campos, a Democrat, has previously said she intends to run for re-election, but did not file early Monday.
Aurora Township Republicans will slate candidates by caucus at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Greenman Elementary School.
