Judge to rule Oct. 20 whether to dismiss Cook County clerk from Robbins Park Board election lawsuit

The Robbins Park District attorney and the attorney representing Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough each stated Friday the other party was responsible for incorrect instructions on April ballots resulting in too many candidates being elected to the park board.

Cook County Judge Araceli R. De La Cruz heard arguments from both parties over a motion to dismiss the clerk from case. De La Cruz said she will announce her ruling Oct. 20.

Ballots instructed voters to vote for three candidates in the race for Robbins Park Board, but only two seats were available, according to the lawsuit filed by the park district. The Cook County clerk’s office issued a certificate of election April 25 to all three candidates, according to the lawsuit.

“The Robbins Park District created this situation by inaccurately stating the number of candidates,” said Edward Brener, the assistant state’s attorney representing Yarbrough’s office.

He argued the case should be dismissed because Park District officials submitted various documents ahead of the election listing three candidates for three open seats. One of those documents, he said, was a sample ballot.

Park District officials informed the clerk’s office in March about the mistake after ballots had already been printed for the April election, Brener said.

“The train already left the station,” Brener said. “We ask that the court dismisses the clerk from this case.”

Park District attorney Michelle Broughton-Fountain said the clerk should remain in the case because the clerk’s office is the keeper of election records.

“They’re the one who prepares the certificates for the secretary of the park district to sign,” Broughton-Fountain said.

The Robbins Park District filed the lawsuit in May against Yarbrough and the three candidates certified as elected, Ryan Buckley, Angelia Murphy-Watts and Terry Lee.

In April, Murphy-Watts received 393 votes, Buckley received 349 and Lee received 344, according to the election results. The new board hasn’t been seated yet. Murphy-Watts and Lee were the incumbent candidates during the election, said Buckely, who is also the legislative assistant for the village of Robbins.

The Park District argues Buckley should be disqualified because he is also a library board member and a legislative assistant for the village of Robbins, creating a conflict. Buckley should be disqualified and Murphy-Watts and Lee sworn in, according to the lawsuit.

Picking the top two candidates “could be a disqualification issue,” Broughton-Fountain said.

Park District officials did not respond Friday to requests for comment.

Buckley, who attended Friday’s hearing, told the judge he personally went to park district officials to inform them about the mistake ahead of the election.

Murphy-Watts, who also attended Friday’s hearing, told the judge the top two candidates should be seated on the board.

“I want this to be over. I’m ready to get to work,” Murphy-Watts said. “It’s gone on long enough.”