It looks like four candidates will appear on the ballot to fill four open positions on the District 65 School Board in the April 9, 2013 election: Candance Chow, Claudia Garrison, Tracy Quattrocki and Sunith Kartha. Peter Kaplan is considering whether to run as a “write-in” candidate.
Peter Kaplan filed nominating petitions along with three other candidates on Dec. 17 when the doors opened to file the petitions, and he was initially listed as a candidate on District 65’s website. This statement was also posted on the District’s website, “All four candidates filed their papers when the doors opened on Dec. 17, and their order on the ballot will be determined by lottery.”
As of Dec. 27, Mr. Kaplan was no longer listed as a candidate.
In response to a RoundTable request, Pat Markam the District 65 School Board’s secretary, explained:
“Pursuant to Illinois Election Code, ‘Nomination papers filed under this Section are not valid unless the candidate named therein files with the secretary of the board of education or a person designated by the board to receive nominating petitions a receipt from the county clerk showing that the candidate has filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.’ (emphasis added). As of the close of business at 5:00 p.m. on December 26, 2012 I did not receive from Peter a receipt for filing of a statement of economic interest form as required to complete the nomination papers for school board. As a result, his name will not be included in the lottery to determine ballot placement and will not be certified on the official ballot for the election.”
Mr. Kaplan told the RoundTable, “I failed to submit a receipt for the filing Statement of Economic interests with the County. It was an oversight, and when I dropped my filing papers off on the 17th, I was led to believe I was all set. I am not blaming anyone other than myself though, as this was my responsibility. I had more than enough signatures. I am contemplating running as a write-in candidate and will decide by Monday.”
Mr. Kaplan said in a statement posted on his campaign website that he had a completed copy of receipt.