Board Member Stays On Despite Felony Conviction

HAZEL CREST, IL - A Hazel Crest school board member can stay on the board despite sustaining a felony conviction many years ago. The Daily Southtown reports that an appeals court affirmed a lower court's decision that Dean Barnett does not have to give up his seat.

The decision was made because it was determined he did not commit an "infamous crime," which is the terminology used in describing people who are not allowed to serve on a school board.

Barnett has been on the board for several terms, but last year it was revealed he was charged and convicted of possession of a stolen vehicle when he was 17. Then, it was thought that he would not be able to seek re-election, but he did anyway and ended up receiving an overwhelming majority of the vote.

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