Board Tosses Challenge In Orland Township, Candidates Kept On Ballot
ORLAND TOWNSHIP — An electoral board in Orland Township voted to dismiss a challenge that contended American flags on township candidates’ nominating petitions violated election rules.
On Dec. 4, the Orland Township Electoral Board of Robert Bertucci, Laura Jacksack and Thomas Melody convened to deliberate on the challenge against nominating documents for candidates of the Orland Township United slate. Running on the slate are Rich Kelly for township supervisor, Cindy Murray for clerk, Antonio Rubino for assessor, Tracy Sullivan for highway commissioner, and trustee candidates Michael Schofield, Lena Matariyeh and Danny Flores.
The challenge, brought by Jacky Smith of Orland Park and Milica Blagojevic of Orland Hills, sought to nullify the candidates’ materials and remove them from the April 1, 2025 ballot, due to the inclusion of six American flags in the header of the petitions. It cited election code that notes political slogans, titles, or similar messaging are prohibited on petitions. The objection likens the flag to a political slogan or messaging.
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On Dec. 12, the board issued an oral ruling of its 2-1 vote to dismiss the challenge. The board is expected to convene Dec. 19 to issue the ruling in writing.
Patch obtained a copy of the objection via Freedom of Information Act request.
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“Candidates added a banner at the top of each petition sheet containing six US flag images upon each signature petition sheet for the purpose of conveying additional information to candidates under the auspices of being an official document, intending to convey to the voters that the candidates were more American than other candidates that did not have the six U.S. flag banner, and were affiliated with and/or supporters of the Republican party and/or law enforcement which commonly uses the ‘blue line’ (or ‘Blue Lives Matter’) US flag,” the objection reads.
The objectors went on to state that the flag is being “used by specifically aligned interests, or positions, namely, those who brandish the flag are doing so to demonstrate that they are Republican and/or support president-elect Trump, who has clearly redefined the use of the US flag in political campaigns, and as a designation for his MAGA political campaign.”
The flags were placed on the petitions to sway voters, the objectors alleged. The panel voted to dismiss the objection, saying the use of the flags was appropriate. The ruling solidified the candidates’ spots on the ballot, according to a release from Orland Township United.
“This decision is a victory for common sense and for the values that unite our community,” said Kelly. “The American flag is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. Attempting to disqualify petitions over its use is not only frivolous but a blatant attempt to suppress participation in the electoral process.”
The board ruled the flags’ appearance on the petitions “does not infringe on any legal or procedural requirements,” the release reads.
“This challenge was nothing more than a politically motivated distraction,” said Kelly. “The board’s decision affirms what we already knew—that there is no basis for disqualifying petitions over a symbol that represents unity and patriotism.”
In Tinley Park, a similar objection resulted in a different outcome.
Mayoral candidate and challenger Michael Maloney said that his Tinley Together slate’s nominating petitions had been nullified due to the inclusion of the flag images on the documents.
A Tinley Park Electoral Board chaired by Trustee William Brennan voted 2-1 to uphold the objection and deem the petitions invalid during a hearing Dec. 9. Panel members Mathias Delort and Paul Karkula also heard the matter; Delort cast the vote to overturn the objection, according to a court reporter’s transcription obtained by Patch.
Maloney called the challenge “baseless” and a “troubling act of political interference,” and in a press release Friday asserted his slate would appeal it. Maloney confirmed Monday that an appeal has been filed, with a hearing set for Dec. 27.
“This is a political stunt orchestrated by Mayor Glotz and his allies to stifle democracy,” Maloney said in a statement to Patch Monday. “Glotz, Bill Brennan and the objectors are attempting to silence and bully challengers over the use of our flag. What could be more undemocratic than that?
“These tactics are a prime example of why we need new leadership in Tinley Park that brings our community together, instead of dividing it.”
Patch has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of that full objection.
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