Statement on the Dismissal of Objections by the Northfield Township Electoral Board
GLENVIEW, Ill. (January 16, 2025) — While we are disappointed by the Northfield Township Electoral Board’s decision to dismiss the objections to the Democratic slate, we accept the ruling and respect the board’s role in interpreting what is ultimately a poorly written election law. Our focus now turns to electing our Republican slate—leaders committed to restoring fiscal responsibility to township government and ensuring essential services are provided sustainably, without further burdening taxpayers who are already stretched to their limit.
That said, the dismissal highlights a critical flaw in the Illinois Township Code: the lack of enforceable remedies for violations. The objections centered on violations of the code prohibiting participation in multiple parties’ nominating processes during the same election cycle. Five Democratic candidates—along with Democratic Committeewoman Tracy Katz Muhl and caucus secretary Janet Spector Bishop—signed petitions for other parties, including the Northbrook Caucus of 2025 Party and Unite Glenview Party, before the December 3 Democratic caucus. This clear violation of the law was dismissed on the grounds that the statute provided no penalty for violating it.
The ruling does not absolve the Democrats of Northfield Township or its candidates of responsibility. The dismissal, based on technicalities, only underscores the need for reforms to close loopholes and hold violators accountable. Five of the candidates signed petitions for another party, which the Township code says is impermissible. However, no statutory penalty was spelled out. The electoral board’s refusal to invalidate the caucus, despite its flaws, was based on concerns about overriding the will of the voters who attended — voters who were unaware that key organizers were themselves violating the law. We can respect that principle.
This case is not just about legal technicalities; it is about the creeping partisanship that has infiltrated our local elections. The Northbrook Caucus of 2025 Party, once a respected coalition prioritizing competence and community-focused governance, has devolved into an arm of the Democrats of Northfield Township (DONT). This alignment has allowed ideological agendas to dominate governance, eroding public trust and prioritizing political interests over practical solutions.
Municipal elections should focus on local issues—competence, integrity, fiscal responsibility, and pragmatic problem-solving. Instead, Northbrook residents have seen bad policy decisions driven by partisan politics, resulting in costly missteps such as:
- The Grainger Property fiasco, where poor planning squandered opportunities for community benefit and the village board overrode the will of the Plan Commission and residents.
- The redlighting of several proposed developments at the former Greenacres Country Club, which has since been purchased by DuPage County, which plans to build a large water treatment plant on the property.
- The Northbrook Court redevelopment debacle, characterized by delays and questionable financial incentives.
- Burdensome policies like the bag tax, leaf blower ban, and a proposed food and beverage tax that hurt local businesses and add to residents’ cost of living.
- A $1.5 million forgivable loan to lure an out-of-town coffee shop, creating unfair competition for local establishments who received no such benefits.
These failures demonstrate the risks of partisan governance in municipal elections.
Separately, the case against Highway Commissioner candidate Mike Korman before the Illinois State Board of Elections further illustrates why accountability matters. Korman’s failure to file six required campaign finance reports, accumulating $6,200 in fines, shows a troubling disregard for the law. His committee, improperly classified as an independent expenditure committee, further violates campaign finance rules.
While Korman has belatedly filed the missing reports and promised to pay his fines, these actions only came after a complaint was filed. This raises serious questions about his fitness to oversee a department managing millions of taxpayer dollars. The fact that he named the committee after himself underscores the need for reclassification as a candidate committee, as required by law.
The Northfield Township Republican Organization has consistently maintained neutrality in municipal races, standing by the principle that local elections should be free from partisan influence. Unlike DONT, we believe governance should prioritize residents’ needs over party agendas.
While the dismissal is disappointing, it focused a spotlight on systemic issues that need to be addressed. Residents deserve leaders who are transparent, fiscally responsible, and focused on solving local problems—not advancing partisan ideologies.
To every resident of Northfield Township: let this serve as a reminder of the importance of staying engaged and informed. The upcoming election is your opportunity to hold leaders accountable and demand better for our community.
Early voting begins March 17 at Northbrook and Glenview Village Halls. Election Day is April 1. As Election Day is right around Spring Break, we recommend you sign up for a mail-in ballot here.
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