South Cook News

Orland Park Trustee Cynthia Nelson Katsenes is calling out her opponent for submitting a challenge to her candidacy.

"My opponent, Liz Gorman, has filed an objection to my petitions via Donald Jeffers who is a known acquaintance of Liz and Gerry Gorman," Nelson Katsenes told South Cook News. "According to the Cook County Clerk's website, signature requirement for Orland Township Republican Committeeperson was 196 to 314 (max). I turned in 314 signatures (every signature was carefully checked to assure the voter was registered)." 

Nelson Katsenes said this is not the first time she has had to face hurdles when running for an office.

"I am not new to being challenged," she said. "My last election in 2019 for Orland Park Village Trustee was also challenged by the Carpenters Union, specifically Christopher Kasmer and an attorney used by and connected to the Gormans, Bert Odelson. Like the current challenge, this proved to be nothing more than a political tactic and causes a candidate to hire an attorney and attempts to distract a candidate from campaigning. The opponents are hoping to take away a voter choice in elections and to "WIN" without having to let voters know where they stand on issues."

The objection by Jeffers notes it was filed to challenge the number of valid signatures she received for her candidate petition.

"Candidate has submitted a number of signatures less than the statutory minimum number of signatures as required by the Illinois Election Code per 10 ILCS 5/7-10(1). Therefore, Candidate has failed to comply with a mandatory provision of the Illinois Election Code (Jackson-Hicks v. East St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners, 2015 IL 118929). Thus, by the law of the State of Illinois, the name of Candidate is not eligible to appear on the ballot for the Office at the Election," the objection reads.

The anti-democratic tactic is a popular one. Former President Barack Obama successfully removed three candidates from the ballot in his first election for state senator in 1996, CNN reported.

"Obama effectively used election rules to eliminate his Democratic competition," CNN wrote. 

Nelson Katsenes was elected in 2019 as part of the People Over Politics slate of candidates backed by Mayor Keith Pekau, who is running for congress in Illinois' 6th District. She withstood challenges in that election, according to the Chicago Tribune. She previously served as a trustee for the Orland Fire Protection District from 2001 to 2007.

Her social media recently featured Pekau. 

"Thank you to all the supporters who attended our kickoff fundraiser! The best group of people ever all in one room! Special thanks to Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison and Keith Pekau," Nelson Katsenes said in a Facebook post.