O'Dekirk-Quillman Adminstration Lacking: Gallagher

Joliet IL

03 January, 2021

7:56 PM

Description

Editorial. Councilwoman Jan Quillman's petitions had the most errors of all the candidates, Joliet City Clerk records show. That's why she is being singled out for challenge. Quillman is one of 13 candidates who are running for three council at large seats. Some legal experts believe that collectively, the numerous problems on her petitions may be enough to to get her booted from the ballot. For example, despite all Quillman's campaign experience, she does not know what office she is seeking. On some pages — but not all, she indicated that she is seeking a "4-year unexpired term." This simply is not true. Lacking consitency across the pages is also problematic. Regardless of whether the challenge is argued in O'Dekirk's electoral commission, or later in a court of law, or withdrawn altogether by the challenger, it represents a growing opposition to the O'Dekirk-Quillman administration. Joliet residents aren't fooled. When O'Dekirk heaps praise on Quillman without merit, voters seem unimpressed. Take police body cameras, for example. The mayor thanks Quillman nearly every meeting for all "her dedication" to public safety while simultaneously pinning the council's police budget failures on top cop Al Roechner. Joliet voters aren't buying it, especially since Quillman has acquired zero body cameras in her 15 years on the council. Rochener has been police chief for only 25 months. In fact, an independent poll conducted last October of Joliet likely voters indicated that the O'Dekirk-Quillman administration is extremely out of favor. "The second-term mayor is underwater according to the poll," said a release issued by the firm that conducted the poll. "Only 34 percent of likely Joliet voters believe O'Dekirk deserves a second term in office." Overall, O'Dekirk received an approval rating of a meek 38.1 percent, according to Victory Research. The same respondents gave Trump a 37.3 percent approval rating. When likely voters in Joliet were asked about Quillman, only 35.1 percent gave her favorable rating. In contrast, when asked about Rochener's Joliet Police Department, respondents overwhelmingly approved at 71.6 percent, the poll showed. Perhaps it was the phony praise or lack of performance that volley between O'Dekirk and Quillman. On the other hand, it could be ethics complaint against both Quillman and O'Dekirk that got tabled — but not resolved. Neither were found innocent, only that the city ethics ordinance didn't apply. Quillman's petitions had other problems, too. For example, filing a blank page is a no-no. If a judge ruled to eliminate all the sheets that were mismarked or blank, she would not have enough signatures. Still, even if the objection to Quillman's petitions is withdrawn, it seems to sum up her candidacy (not to mention her commitment to public safety) in one word: lacking. --- Erin Gallagher is a public relations consultant who serves her clients as community liaison, predominantly in veterans initiatives, mental health concerns, and social-political arenas. Unlike other gun-for-hire PR pros, Erin's community-liaison approach ensures clients maintain credibility and lasting relationships within their communities. Erin Gallagher is no ordinary spin doctor. Her clients are confident in putting forth a message that is genuine. With a reputation for integrity, transparency and fairness, "Erin Gallagher drives it straight up the fairway!" Erin's currently volunteers on the front lines for Covid relief, including networking expansive food bank donations, as well as the voluntary spokesperson for Stop NorthPoint, [email protected]