Burr Ridge Agency Bars Local Politician's Event

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge politician Patricia Kladis-Schiappa had scheduled a campaign event in a Burr Ridge Park District building for next month.

But she must change venues.

Upon being informed of the event's purpose Friday, the district said it would rescind the reservation for Kladis-Schiappa.

Kladis-Schiappa is running as a Republican for DuPage County clerk, facing Democrat Paula Deacon Garcia in the November election. An attorney, Kladis-Schiappa is married to Burr Ridge Trustee Tony Schiappa.

Patch obtained an email from the park district's director, Jim Pacanowski, who responded to an inquiry about Kladis-Schiappa's use of a park district building on Sept. 9.

In the email, Pacanowski said he was glad the matter came to his attention.

"This individual did secure a building rental for that date," Pacanowski said. "We were under the impression that the activity was going to be like a mom's group getting together for play day and chat time. This is a common usage at our facility. It was not specified in the application, nor were we aware that this was for a candidate meet-and-greet."

The park district, Pacanowski said, does not endorse or support any political candidate or party and does not make its facilities available for such things as candidate meet-and-greets.

In an email to Patch on Friday, Kladis-Schiappa said she asked the district to reconsider. She said she was formally waiting for a final response.

"I made it clear I was a political candidate when I was on the phone seeking dates," she said.

In an email to Pacanowski, Kladis-Schiappa said she did not say in her advertising for the event that the park district endorses or supports her candidacy. She said she was not requesting such support.

"I have applied for a permit as a Burr Ridge resident might. I have applied like any political candidate, with any viewpoint might," she said. "I have mailed the check to the Burr Ridge Park District for payment in accordance with the policy in place. I have followed the rules and procedures to host an event on Burr Ridge Park District public property, for which I am also a taxpayer."

On Sunday, Kladis-Schiappa announced on Facebook that the park district had canceled the event.

"I have not found any provision on the Park District's website or rental application materials indicating a blanket prohibition against engaging in political speech or community discussion on Park District property," she said. "What concerns me most is that the permit was rescinded only after someone complained about the event to the Park District AND simultaneously contacted the Burr Ridge Patch."

She said she welcomed criticism from the public.

"Reasonable people can disagree about political candidates, political speech, and community events," Kladis-Schiappa said. "What I cannot accept is the suppression or cancellation of a permitted opportunity for community discussion based upon an unspecified complaint."

She said she remained hopeful that the matter could be resolved amicably through continued dialogue. She promised to show up if the park board meets, as expected, on Sept. 14.