Judge to rule on Braidwood ballot dispute
By Mary Baskerville Correspondent January 25, 2013 8:52AM
Updated: February 28, 2013 6:41AM
Braidwood officials are awaiting a court ruling in the case of a candidate who was not placed on the April election ballot.
Former City Administrator Andy Galatte’s petition to run for commissioner of accounts and finances was rejected by Braidwood City Clerk Lisa Glisson.
Glisson said the petition was rejected because there is not an election for the post.
The post is held by Elena M. Hibler, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created when Bill Rulien became acting mayor on the death of then-Mayor Jerry R. Pressley.
Rulien is running for re-election as mayor, but he says that if he loses that race, he will resume his post as the commissioner of finance and accounts to serve the balance of the four-year term to which he was elected.
Galatte brought the issue to court.
City Attorney Scott Pyles said he went before a Will County judge to ask the lawsuit be dismissed. The judge is considering the motion and will issue a ruling, he said.
Whatever the ruling, Pyles said, the parties agreed there is not enough time to put the commissioner of finance and accounts position on the upcoming ballot.
As it stands, Pyles said that if Rulien is elected mayor, a special election would be held to fill the post of commissioner of accounts and finances.
If Rulien loses his bid for mayor, he would resume his post as commissioner of accounts of finances, Pyles said.
