East Dundee Village President Dan Pearson faced formal censure from the village board due to his actions at the village’s Oktoberfest. He invited two Republicans, including gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, to deliver political speeches at the event. The board unanimously voted for the censure citing other actions and remarks made by Pearson.
Trustee Scott Kunze emphasized the importance of reading the full resolution, highlighting that the issue wasn’t limited to political invitations. According to Kunze, several actions led to costly legal fees for the village.
The censure has no legal consequences but represents a formal disapproval for Pearson’s conduct. The Kane County state’s attorney’s office confirmed receiving a complaint alleging Pearson violated state election laws by using public funds to promote candidates.
The resolution stemmed from Pearson’s choice to allow Bailey and Jennifer Davis, a congressional candidate, to speak at the event. Bailey encouraged voter support while Pearson mentioned another candidate for Kane County Board. Other candidates and officials attended, but not all were invited on stage, suggesting preferential treatment.
Pearson did not attend the board meeting due to a prearranged vacation. He apologized at a previous special meeting, but trustees criticized the use of a village event for political platforms, regardless of party affiliation. Trustee Matt Oclon described Pearson’s conduct as having a negative impact on the community, supporting the censure to uphold professionalism.
Several residents spoke at the meeting, with some, like Karla Burke and Allison Moe, urging Pearson to resign. The censure resolution suggests Pearson failed to fully accept responsibility for his Oktoberfest actions and outlines expectations for future conduct.
The resolution calls on Pearson to avoid endorsing candidates during village events and to coordinate with village staff on public remarks. Trustee Andy Sauder highlighted the divisive nature of the incident, emphasizing local government should not involve polarizing politics.
Measures are being implemented to prevent similar issues in the future. Trustee Kathleen Mahony expressed concerns over the incident overshadowing the efforts of those who organized the festival.
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