Crystal Lake Park Board Election: Only 3 Candidates Running for 5 Open Seats

Correction (Friday, Jan. 25): A write-in candidate only needs to file a "Declaration of Intent" at the McHenry County Clerk's office by Feb. 7 (he/ she does NOT need to gather the petition signatures as original posted).

This could be a first for Crystal Lake.

With the spring consolidated election three months away, only three local candidates have filed election petitions for the five seats up for re-election for the Crystal Lake Park District Board of Commissioners.

The park board is comprised of seven commissioners. Of the five commissioner posts due for re-election on April 9, four carry four-year terms, and one is a two-year stint.

"This is the first time this has happened in Crystal Lake from what I understand, but I have heard of it happening in other places," Park District Executive Director Jason Herbster stated in an e-mail.

"The plan will most likely be to appoint two people after the election. There is still an opportunity for someone to run as a write in candidate."

So far, incumbent Crystal Lake Park Board commissioners Angel Collins, Caroline Bachour-Chemaly and Thomas Aquilina have filed petitions seeking election to one of the four, four-year-term seats.

No one filed forms to run for the two-year post, Herbster said.

Board President Debbie Gallagher and Commissioner Jerry Sullivan have decided not to seek re-election.

A write-in candidate needs only to file a "Declaration of Intent" at the McHenry County Clerk's office by Feb. 7. Once certified, a write-in candidate could technically be elected by only one vote to the board, provided no one else ran against him/ her, Herbster said.

All candidates must be a resident of the Crystal Lake Park District, and must have resided within the district for at least one year. More information about the upcoming election is available by contacting Herbster at 815-459-0680, ext. 203.