Recommendation could determine fate of two candidacies for Springfield City Council

A hearing has been set for noon Thursday regarding petition objections filed against two candidates seeking to run for Springfield alderman.

Retired Sangamon County Judge John Mehlick will make his recommendation to a three-person board on the matters of Ward 5 candidate Calvin Pitts and Ward 7 candidate Jaleesa Davis.

Mehlick met with Pitts, Davis and Anthony Schuering, an attorney with Brown, Hay & Stephens on Tuesday.

Schuering represents Jason Mendonca, who raised the objection against Pitts, and Nicholas Austin, who was listed as the petitioner against Davis.

Sixty-six objections were made against Davis' petitions. Davis submitted 272 signatures where 252 were required. There were 190 objections to the 407 signatures Pitts turned in to the city clerk.

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Mehlick's recommendation could be accepted, rejected or revised Thursday by the panel that includes Mayor Jim Langfelder, Springfield City Clerk Frank Lesko and Ward 4 Ald. John Fulgenzi.

Davis faces Brad Carlson and John Houlihan in Ward 7.

Pitts is in a contest with incumbent Lakeisha Purchase and former Ward 5 alderman Sam Cahnman.

Thursday's hearing takes place in City Council chambers. The consolidated election is April 4.

Pittman withdraws

Meanwhile, Daniel Pittman has officially withdrawn in the Ward 6 aldermanic race.

Pittman filed his notice with the city clerk's office on Tuesday.

That leaves political newcomer Alyssa Haaker and Jennifer Notariano, who lost a 2019 bid for city treasurer, in the race.

Pittman lost the Nov. 8 Sangamon County treasurer's race to incumbent Joe Aiello.

He said he would be supporting Notariano in the race.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Decision in challenge to Springfield city council candidates expected