![State lawmaker faces renewed challenges over Calumet City mayoral election State lawmaker faces renewed challenges over Calumet City mayoral election](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/img-JONES-01112-oYNON9-1024x639.jpeg)
State lawmaker faces renewed challenges over Calumet City mayoral election
By SARAH MANSUR
Capitol News Illinois
smansur@capitolnewsillinois.com
SPRINGFIELD — State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, who was elected Calumet City mayor in April, is facing a challenge to his mayorship that is based on a municipal referendum that prohibits a Calumet City mayor from also serving as a state representative.
But Jones, a Calumet City Democrat, said a recently enacted state law ends any further challenges to his mayorship based on the referendum because a new law prevents local governments from requiring a member of the General Assembly to resign his or her office to seek elected office in that local government.
Calumet City Alderman James Patton and former Board of Police and Fire Commissioners member Mary Cox, in an open letter last week, asked Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx to remove Jones as mayor, pursuant to the referendum.
The referendum, which voters in Calumet City passed Nov. 3, bans a person from seeking mayoral office “if, at the time for filing nomination papers, that person also holds an elected, paid office created by the Constitution of the State of Illinois.”
The referendum applies to “all persons seeking nomination or election to, or who hold, the office of Mayor of the City of Calumet City at the February 23, 2021 Consolidated Primary Election and each election thereafter.”
Jones defeated incumbent Mayor Michelle Markiewicz-Qualkinbush, who was seeking a fifth term, in the February primary.
He went on to win an April 6 election against write-in candidate Tony Quiroz and was sworn in, becoming the first Black mayor of Calumet City.
After the referendum was certified late last year, two residents in Calumet City filed objections with the city’s Municipal Officers Electoral Board, seeking to have Jones’ name removed from the February ballot.
The residents argued the referendum was effective on Nov. 3, therefore Jones was not legally qualified for the office sought at the time nomination papers were filed.
On Dec. 21, a majority of the Board agreed with the objectors’ arguments and found Jones’ name should be taken off the primary ballot.
Jones sought judicial review of the decision in Cook County Circuit Court, and a Cook County judge affirmed the Board’s ruling.
His case eventually reached the Illinois Supreme Court, which ruled in Jones’ favor.
In March, a unanimous Supreme Court ruled that Jones’ name was legally placed on a February primary ballot seeking the Democratic nomination for Calumet City mayor because the referendum did not take effect until the election results were certified on Nov. 24.
The Illinois Supreme Court, however, did not rule on the validity of the referendum.
But Senate Bill 825, which Gov. JB Pritzker signed June 17, explicitly voids the mandate that was approved in the referendum.
The new law states “a unit of local government may not adopt an ordinance, referendum, or resolution that requires a member of the General Assembly to resign his or her office in order to be eligible to seek elected office in the unit of local government. Any ordinance, referendum, or resolution that contains such a provision is void.”
In a statement, Jones said the new elections law “officially puts an end to a long history of divisive politics within the government of Calumet City.”
“As the first African American alderman elected to the Calumet City Council nearly twenty years ago, my family and I have been victimized by every form of harassment and intimidation by the previous administration. The move to prevent me from taking office as the first African American mayor was baseless and without merit,” Jones said in the statement.
Spokespeople for the attorney general’s office and Cook County state’s attorney’s Office did not respond to requests for comment.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Local News
![dvn 6-16-24 Hadi Isbaih Hadi Isbaih](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-16-24-Hadi-Isbaih.jpg)
Palos Heights tax preparer convicted of Covid-relief fraud
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Palos Heights tax preparer who operates a business in Bridgeview has been convicted on federal charges for fraudulently assisting customers in obtaining loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago on June 10 convicted Hadi Isbaih, 42, on all…
![1 An artist's renderings of what the renovated Fine Arts Center will look like at Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1-3-1024x576.jpg)
Renovations begin on Shepard High School theater
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Shepard High School, which prides itself in the fine arts, will soon have a beautifully reconstructed theater right on its Palos Heights campus. The Community High School District 218 Board of Education recently unanimously approved funding for the renovation of the Fine Arts Center at the high school at 13049…
![reporter 6-18-24 HH spiderman Ribhi “Spiderman” Gaber wishes everyone at Glen Oak School a great summer. (Photos by Nuha Abdessalam)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reporter-6-18-24-HH-spiderman-1024x768.jpg)
Young Spiderman fan wishes students a great summer
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Spiderman-kid bids farewell and wishes a beautiful summer break to students of Glen Oak Elementary in Hickory Hills. Since the summer of 2023, when he discovered the movie “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse,” a story about multiple Spidermen from different dimensions, 6-year-old Ribhi Gaber has been more than just a fan…
![reporter worth welcome sign reporter worth welcome sign](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/reporter-worth-welcome-sign.jpg)
Worth finalizes rules for open burning in village
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle After several discussions over the past month, the Village of Worth has new guidelines for open burning by businesses and in residential areas. Mayor Mary Werner mentioned during the Worth Village Board meeting Tuesday night that a discrepancy in an ordinance regarding open burning had a 10 p.m. deadline. However,…
![2 Residents were invited out to join Orland Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady for an event called, Minds Matter 2024, on May 16 at Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Avenue in Orland Park. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2-1024x768.jpeg)
Orland Township event focuses on mental health
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Orland Township is taking the time to focus on mental health. Residents were invited out to join Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady for an event called, Minds Matter 2024, on May 16 at Orland Township, located at 14807 S. Ravinia Avenue in Orland Park. “This was an excellent opportunity to…
![bridgeview police logo bridgeview police logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/bridgeview-police-logo.png)
Bridgeview shooting not related to Summer Smash
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Bridgeview Police Chief Ricardo Mancha on Monday wanted to emphasize that a shooting in the village Saturday night had nothing to do with the Summer Smash music festival that took place over the weekend at SeatGeek Stadium. “It was an isolated incident,” he said. “Completely unrelated to the Summer Smash…
![lyons township logo lyons township logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/lyons-township-logo.png)
Summer jobs available for youths through Lyons Township
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The summer jobs program offered each year by the Township of Lyons is up and running. The program for high school and college students “is designed to give young individuals an opportunity for summer employment,” Trustee Donna McDonald said at the township board’s June 11 meeting. The jobs program started…
![summit police logo summit police logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/summit-police-logo-1024x986.jpg)
Pair busted for Summit phone store robberies
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Two Chicago men have been charged with robbing two phone stores in Summit earlier this year. Jacari Franklin and Austin White are charged with robbing the T-Mobile store at 5640 S. Harlem Ave. on March 28 and the AT&T store at Archer and Harlem avenues on April 18, police said.…
![dvn 6-17-24 lyons car show3 2024 Bruce Quintos (right) visits with Lyons Village Trustee Dan Hilker in front of Quintos’ 1957 Chevy Bel Air that he lovingly restored. (Photos by Steve Metsch)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-17-24-lyons-car-show3-2024-1024x707.jpg)
Car enthusiasts crowd annual Father’s Day show in Lyons.
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Held under sunny and warm skies Sunday, the annual Father’s Day Car Show in Lyons was deemed a smashing success by participants and visitors. Not only were car lovers able to admire the four-wheeled beauties, some owners spent quality time with Dad or a spouse. Don Raschka, 80, of Central…
Neighbors
![joanhadac Joan Hadac](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/joanhadac.jpg)
The next correspondent could be you
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac GSWNH Columnist At-Large This week, it’s my privilege and pleasure to write the Greater Southwest News-Herald’s column for Greater Ashburn (the Wrightwood, Ashburn, Parkview and Scottsdale neighborhoods). Greater Ashburn has not had a correspondent in this newspaper since Carolina Franco stepped away from writing this column back in late 2019. Anyway,…
![regional palos heights lotto winner 2-10 Fikri Rahana, owner of 7-Eleven in Palos Heights, sold a $900,000 winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket. (Photo supplied by Illinois Lottery)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/regional-palos-heights-lotto-winner-2-10.png)
$900,000 Lotto ticket sold at Palos Heights 7-Eleven
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Local Lucky Day Lotto players best check their tickets for last Sunday’s mid-day drawing. A winning ticket worth $900,000 was sold at the Palos Heights 7-Eleven store. The winning ticket was sold at the store at 6350 W. 135th St., and matched all five numbers in Sunday mid-day’s drawing: 11-13-24-30-37.…
![seatgeek-sign-photo-3-14 seatgeek-sign-photo-3-14](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/seatgeek-sign-photo-3-14-1024x683.jpg)
Bridgeview inks deal to promote village events, tourism
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Bridgeview is again partnering with the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau to market and promote tourism in the village. The village board, by a 6-0 vote at its Jan. 19 meeting, approved the resolution. Per the resolution, the bureau will “help market and promote the region for conventions, meetings,…
![illinois state police illinois state police](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/illinois-state-police-1024x632.jpg)
Landek urges slower driving near emergency vehicles
Spread the loveBy Ray Hanania State Senator Steven Landek expressed his concerns over reports that three Illinois State Troopers were struck by motorists in three different incidents during recent heavy snowstorms. In two separate incidents on Interstate 72, a state trooper had pulled over to the side of the road in Springfield to help a…
![2 The Service Club at Evergreen Park Community High School, 9901 S. Kedzie Ave. in Evergreen Park, is hosting a blanket drive until February 11. From left to right: Jack Donnelly, 17, of Evergreen Park; Myah Johnson, 18, of Evergreen Park; and Gabby Smith, 17, of Evergreen Park. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2-1-1024x793.jpg)
Evergreen Park High students collect blankets for the homeless
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Students at Evergreen Park Community High School started up an effort to keep the homeless warm as cold temperatures and frigid air have hit the Chicagoland area this winter. The Service Club at the high school, 9901 S. Kedzie Ave. in Evergreen Park, is hosting a blanket drive through Friday,…
![NOLTING YELLOW District 230 Supt. Robert Nolting has relaxed mask mandates at Stagg, Sandburg and Andrew high schools. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/NOLTING-YELLOW-1024x678.jpg)
D230 goes yellow and relaxes mask mandates after judge’s ruling
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva In the wake of a judge’s decision, District 230 has gone yellow. The district, which serves Stagg, Sandburg and Andrew high schools, on Monday switched its COVID-19 status from orange to yellow. Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow ruled in favor of parents who took 145 Illinois school districts to court…
![kathyheadley2021 Kathy Headley](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/kathyheadley2021-869x1024.jpg)
Bridget Ferriter, you will be missed
Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 Last week I had the sad experience of attending the funeral of a good friend, Bridget Ferriter. We were neighbors for more than 30 years. We did things long-time neighbors do, like pop over for coffee…
![MaryStanek Mary Stanek](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/MaryStanek-1-768x1024.jpg)
To receive City services, you must ask
Spread the loveBy Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 284-7394 The CHI311 website is the way to go, or a simple 311 phone call can help keep our neighborhoods clean and safe! To quote from an article written by Mike Kovac in the Archer Heights…
![PeggyZabicki Peggy Zabicki](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PeggyZabicki-1024x768.jpg)
Winter Olympics bring back fun memories
Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 Have you been watching the Winter Olympics? My favorite sport is figure skating. It is beautiful and athletic. The athletes are so inspiring. I love to watch all the sports. I remember my family gathering around the TV, watching the Olympics in the early…
![Wrestling Shepard-Reed Damari Reed, seen here at a tournament in January, was one of two Shepard wrestlers to qualify for the 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional. Reed was the 152-pound champion at the Marist Regional on Feb. 5. Teammate Gabe Smith placed 2nd at 195. Photo by Jason Maholy](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Wrestling-Shepard-Reed-1024x683.jpg)
Area wrestlers advance to sectionals
Spread the loveFrom Staff Reports The following wrestlers have qualified for sectional competition after placing in the top three at their respective regional tournaments. (Name, class, finish at regional) Class 3A Marist Regional Marist George Marinopoulos, Fr, 2nd at 106 Michael Esteban, Fr, 1st at 113 Will Denny, Fr, 2nd at 120 Jesse Herrera,…