Joliet, IL. (ECWd) –

According to Herald-News and court roll, Joliet Township Administrator Karl Ferrell was removed from his post by a Will County judge because he had multiple felony convictions in the past that barred him from serving as a elected from a canton.

The court also issued an immediate stay on his deportation until noon on July 25, 2022, to give Ferrell the opportunity to appeal the decision to the appeals court.

See Illinois Township Code, Rule 55-6: “Criminal conviction. A person is not eligible to hold any office if that person, at the time required for taking the oath of office, has been convicted in any court located in the United States of any infamous crime, bribery, perjury, or other felony."

When informed by the Will County State’s Attorney of his criminal disqualifications for township office, Ferrell filed a motion for pardon or reinstatement of rights, which was not heard by the Commission. review of prisoners. The PRB may hear the petition at its July 12, 2022 meeting.

Had the township people done their duty to watch over the government, they could have opposed Ferrell’s election petitions and asked the electoral board to remove him from the ballot, which we have no doubt he would have removed. This could have been handled before the election, but be aware that this is left to the state attorney and the courts.