| Tom Mccullagh Reacts to being denied entry. It is time to save Illinois Press ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 22, 2020 Contact: Nick Ficarello, 815-405-0344, nick@picnick2020.com;Thomas McCullagh, 630-418-6694, tom@mccullagh4senate.com Candidates Denied Entry to Forum at Public Building Earlier this evening. Thomas McCullagh, candidate for State Senate District 49, and Nick Ficarello, candidate for Will County Executive, were denied entry to a candidate forum being held at the Bolingbrook Public Library by the DuPage Township Democratic Organization. The forum was necessarily an open meeting because it was being held in a government building. State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and DuPage Township Democratic Organization Chair Jackie Traynere told McCullagh and Ficarello, who are Republicans, that they were not permitted to enter the meeting or speak to the constituents. Larry Hug and Michael Crowner, Democrat candidates for State Senate District 49, said that McCullagh should be allowed to speak. McCullagh said, “I want to formally invite all Democrat candidates for State Senate District 49 to any candidate nights or Will County Republican Central Committee meetings. I firmly believe that every voice should be heard to have all sides of an argument presented and to allow voters equal access to all voices in the discussion so that everyone who will be voting can make a truly informed decision.”Denying persons entry to an open meeting is a violation of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/). According to Digital Media Law Project (dmlp.org), “The state may also pursue criminal penalties against members of a public body who violate the Open Meetings Act.”Senator Bertino-Tarrant is also a candidate for Will County Executive. Jackie Traynere is also a member of the Will County Board. ###Campaign Contacts CandidateThomas McCullagh 630-418-6694 tom@mccullagh4senate.com Media Director Christian Sass christian.sass@mccullagh4senate.com |
