The East Dundee Village Board formally censured Village President Dan Pearson after he invited two Republicans to speak during the village’s Oktoberfest. Among them was Darren Bailey, a gubernatorial candidate. The board unanimously agreed on the censure and noted other problematic actions and comments by Pearson.
Trustee Scott Kunze encouraged others to read the full resolution, emphasizing that it concerns more than just inviting political candidates. He noted the financial burden of costly legal fees resulting from Pearson’s actions. A censure carries no legal penalties and doesn’t remove an official from office. It’s a formal disapproval for inappropriate or unethical conduct.
The Kane County state attorney’s office recently received a complaint accusing Pearson of violating state election laws by using public funds to promote political candidates. This complaint accompanies the censure resolution, which stemmed from Pearson’s decision to invite Bailey and Jennifer Davis, 8th District Congressional candidate, to the Oktoberfest stage on September 26. Bailey urged support for his election bid against Gov. JB Pritzker, and Pearson also mentioned another candidate during the event.
Other candidates attended the event, but only select individuals were given stage access. This preferential treatment led to criticism. Pearson missed the Monday night meeting due to a preplanned vacation but issued an apology at a special village board meeting on September 28. Trustees criticized his use of a village-funded event as a platform for political expressions, irrespective of party alignment.
Trustee Matt Oclon insisted on the necessity of maintaining professional standards and supported the censure. Residents thanked the board for addressing Pearson’s actions but felt the response was insufficient. Karla Burke, a longtime resident, advocated for the censure, calling for ethical accountability and suggesting Pearson’s resignation. Allison Moe, an eight-year village resident, questioned Pearson’s stance on language, suggesting it might not represent all community members.
The censure resolution argued Pearson didn’t fully take responsibility for the Oktoberfest incident. Future expectations emphasized avoiding village-funded events for political purposes and recommended proactive coordination with the village administrator for public remarks. Trustee Andy Sauder remarked on the divisiveness the incident caused, urging avoidance of polarizing politics in local governance.
East Dundee has introduced measures, including staff training, to prevent partisan actions in the future. Trustees expressed concerns that Pearson’s actions overshadowed the success of Oktoberfest and affected the community’s reputation. Trustee Kathleen Mahony mentioned that the village is known for its events, and recent actions detracted from the collective efforts of staff and volunteers.