Mike Carroll Explains Not Appealing Electoral Board Decision

ORLAND PARK, IL - Michael Carroll, a candidate for the
Orland School District 135 School Board, announced that he will not appeal the
decision of the District 135 Electoral Board permitting candidate Tom
Cunningham to remain on the ballot. A local attorney, Carroll had challenged Cunningham’s candidacy because of Cunningham filing to run for the District 135 School Board and for the Moraine Valley Community College District 524 Board.

“I filed my objection to Mr. Cunningham’s petitions based on my legal opinion that candidacy in both District 135 and Moraine Valley was
illegal,” Carroll explained. “Unfortunately, Illinois law dictates that my
challenge was to be heard by an electoral board comprised of District 135
school board members, President John Carmody, Secretary Tina Zekich and Lynne
Donegan. Two-thirds of that electoral board has been lock step with Mr.
Cunningham for years,” Carroll said.

Carroll noted that Cunningham made derogatory comments about the challenge during the school board’s monthly meeting before going into a lengthy executive session with the same people who would be ruling on his candidacy the next night.

“Anyone who attended the hearing saw that it was pre-ordained. Cunningham’s two allies ruled that they shouldn’t be the ones to decide the legal issue --- the voters should,” Carroll said. “Lynne Donegan was the only board member who displayed logic and common sense. She cited opinions from the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois Council of School Attorneys as persuasive authority that Cunningham cannot serve in both offices. Ms. Donegan was outvoted two to one and my objection was overruled,” he said.

Carroll is concerned that if he was to appeal the electoral board’s ruling that the court would remand the matter back to the electoral board. “I’m certain that the electoral board would come up with another rationale for ruling in Mr. Cunningham’s favor,” Carroll said. “Then, I’d have to decide, all over again, whether to appeal that ruling,” he explained.

Carroll has chosen to focus his energy on his campaign.

“All is not lost, however, as I believe that I have brought some very important issues to light,” Carroll said. “Tom Cunningham has been exposed as one who cares more about playing ‘elected office musical chairs’ rather than serving his constituents,” Carroll said.

“Two years ago, Tom Cunningham ran for Orland Park village trustee, which coincidentally is also an office that has been ruled incompatible with being a school board member,” Carroll said.

“Frankly, I don’t think Mr. Cunningham’s focus is where it should be --- on being an advocate for the families of Orland School District 135,” Carroll said. “Mr. Cunningham’s majority block was more concerned with helping their pal and chose not to follow the law,” he said.

“I don’t pretend to have all of the answers to the issues facing District 135,” Carroll said. “But, I do promise a few things if I am elected,” he stated.

“First, I want to bring decorum, respect and professionalism back to the school board. The way these board members address each other is a disgrace and is a poor example for the students in our schools,” Carroll said.

The longtime village resident moved to the community as a child in 1976 and is an alumnus of District 135 and Carl Sandburg High School. He graduated from Northern Illinois University before receiving his law degree from John Marshall. Carroll and his wife, Jennifer (Gobeille), are both graduates of District 135 and their two sons are currently students in the district.

“Secondly, I plan to listen to all necessary parties when making decisions --- administration, staff, teachers AND parents,” he said. “Our parents have a vested interest in our school district, both as taxpayers and with the trust they give the district to educate their children,” Carroll said.

Carroll’s civic involvement dates back to the mid-1980s when he first volunteered for the village’s Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA). He is a member and officer for the Orland Park Lions Club, is a founding member of the Orland Park Law Enforcement Organization, is a past president of the Southwest Bar Association and is a den leader and assistant cubmaster for Orland Park Cub Scout Pack 383.

“My third area of concern is for board members, who are elected with the public’s trust, to take seriously the stewardship of the district,” Carroll said, “The school board should balance fiscal responsibility with wanting to give our children the best school system it can. If elected, I will do my best to do just that.”

Carroll's campaign can be contacted through his Facebook Page:  Michael F. Carroll for Orland School District 135, or via email at MikeCarrollfor135@gmail.com.