Lemont Library Board President Files Objections To 3 Candidates

LEMONT, IL — Three candidates for the Lemont Library Board of Trustees are facing nominating petition challenges from current Board President Vytenis Kirvelaitis. According to the Cook County Electoral Board, Kirvelaitis, who is up for re-election in April, has objected to the nominations of candidates Michael Dunkin, Melissa Fischer and Renee Miller Pravdik.

The race is expected to be a contentious one after Lemont residents were outraged in August by the firing of a beloved children's librarian.

To run as a library board candidate, you must gather 50 qualified, registered and legal voters of the Lemont Public Library District.

For Dunkin's nomination papers, Kirvelaitis is objecting to 54 signatures out of 70 signatures gathered, due to signatures not matching registration records or signer not registered. Dunkin has a Jan. 8 court hearing to see if his nomination papers are accepted.

For Fischer's nomination papers, Kirvelaitis objected to 22 out of 42 signatures, due to signatures not matching registration records or signer not registered. If the objection is successful, Fischer told Patch she plans to run as a write-in candidate.

Fischer only had 42 signatures because of a previous election requirement which required signatures of at least 2 percent of the votes cast at the last library board election. Fischer told Patch she met with Lemont Library Director Sandra Pointon, who told her only 35 signatures were needed.

Fischer has a hearing Jan. 8 to see if her nomination papers are accepted.

For Miller Pravdik's nomination papers, Kirvelaitis objected to 50 out of 70 signatures, due to signatures not matching registration records or signer not registered. Miller Pravdik has a hearing Jan. 10 to see if her nomination papers are accepted.

Patch has reached out to Kirvelaitis for comment and why he filed the objections.

According to the library website, Kirvelaitis and current trustees Catherine Sanders, Tom Culcasi and Thomas Burton Jr. are up for re-election in April and all have filed to run as candidates.

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