Algonquin Township Trustee Removed Over 1990 Felony Conviction

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A McHenry County judge has ordered that a trustee for Algonquin Township be removed from office due to a 1990 conviction on a felony charge.

On Monday, Judge Joel Berg entered an order to remove trustee Edward Zimel, Jr., from his position as trustee for Algonquin Township.

"The decision made was based upon Mr. Zimel’s prior felony conviction for intimidation," according to a statement from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office.

Zimel was charged in 1990 with two counts of felony intimidation and one count of armed violence. He pleaded guilty to one count of felony intimidation.

According to Algonquin Township code, “a person is not eligible to hold any office if that person at the time required for taking the oath of office, has been convicted in any court located in the United States of any infamous crime, bribery, perjury, or other felony.”

"Although the felony conviction of Mr. Zimel stems from 1990, the statute does not contain any limitations or restrictions regarding the time frame for disqualification based on a felony conviction," according to the statement from the state's attorney's office. "The law asserts that any felony conviction makes one ineligible to hold a township office."