New Commissioner swearing-in delayed

Commissioner Ron Aubrey refused to allow newly-elected commissioners to take the Oath of Office at the May 3, 2011 Glen Ellyn Park District Board meeting. Kathy Cornell, Gary Mayo and Richard Dunn were set to be sworn in and assume their roles as commissioners at the beginning of the meeting when Aubrey objected. Aubrey claimed that the old Board was required to certify the election results and because this had not been done the new commissioners could not be seated.

When I made a motion to certify the election results Aubrey then claimed that the Board could not certify the election results at the meeting because it was not on the agenda. Agenda item number seven, "Oath of Office- Inauguration of Commissioners" clearly showed the Board's intent to seat the duly elected commissioners. Commissioners Creech, Kinzler, Nephew and Dallman voted to certify the election; Commissioner Aubrey voted no. After further disagreement from Aubrey, I then made a motion to administer the Oath of Office to the new commissioners. Commissioners Creech, Kinzler, Nephew and Dallman voted to administer the Oath of Office; Commissioner Aubrey voted no.

After a 25-minute delay, Commissioners Cornell, Mayo and Dunn were sworn in and seated.

The DuPage Election Commission confirmed today that the park district board does not need to take any action on their canvass results or certify the election in any way. It is stated in the state statute 10ILCS 5/22-17.