Free and Equal asks, Rigged Election in Illinois, Again?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christina Tobin
Phone: 312-320-4101
Email: Christina@freeandequalinc.com
Website: https://www.freeandequalinc.com/

Rigged Elections in Illinois, Again?

Free and Equal, Inc., is assisting two Green Party candidates filing for U.S. House seats on the ballot in 2010. Dan Kairis, running in District 14, and Bill Scheurer, in District 8, have both been challenged by Democratic Party operatives closely connected with Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Kairis’ signatures have been challenged by Jean Cattron of Elgin, who is retired from the Elgin Mental Health Center and a Democratic Committeeman in Kane County. Those of Scheurer have been challenged by Gregory Ferritto, and employee of the United States Postal Service. Cattron is represented by Michael Kasper, the General Counsel and Treasurer of the Illinois Democratic Party and former aide to Madigan. Ferritto is represented by another Democratic Party functionary, Michael Kreloff.

Both Cattron and Ferritto have been used before by Madigan to attempt to knock candidates opposed to his allies in the House off the ballot. Cattron challenged an opponent of party operative Hollie Kissane in 2005 in the Democratic primary for the 22nd Legislative District in 2005. Ferritto was the objector of record against Iain Abernathy, the Green Party candidate for U.S. House in District 8 in 2008. Ferritto is also challenging Jonathan Farnick, who wants to face incumbent Melissa Bean in the Democratic primary.

Kasper and Kreloff were also the attorneys who led the objections against Green Party candidate for Governor Rich Whitney in 2006, and several Third Party and Independent candidates in 2004, including Ralph Nader for President.

Speaking to the Daily Herald about the challenge to Kairis, Christina Tobin, Chief Executive Officer of Free and Equal, Inc., said, “This is literally an objection in bad faith. The voters deserve voices and choices. There’s no limit to how far these (party) leaders will go to ensure voice and choice stays off the ballot.”

The article quoted Kairis as saying every signature on his petitions is from either a friend, neighbor or direct relative. Cattron even challenged the validity of signatures belonging to both his son and his mother.

These challenges to Green Party candidates are especially frivolous, Tobin noted, because under Illinois law the party can simply place these candidates on their slate in convention if the challenges are successful.

“Michael Madigan is no different from Tom Cross,” said Tobin. “Both are party bosses who manipulate the system to protect the incumbents loyal to them from any opposition.”

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