Guerrero v. Parker

2026 IL App (3d) 250284

                                 Opinion filed April 20, 2026
      ____________________________________________________________________________

                                                    IN THE

                                    APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

                                              THIRD DISTRICT

                                                     2026

      CESAR GUERRERO,                                 ) Appeal from the Circuit Court
                                                      ) of the 12th Judicial Circuit,
              Plaintiff-Appellee and Cross-Appellant, ) Will County, Illinois,
                                                      )
              v.                                      ) Appeal No. 3-25-0284
                                                      ) Circuit No. 25-MR-73
      ANNETTE PARKER, in Her Official Capacity )
      as Will County Clerk, and ESTEFANY              )
      BONILLA, in Her Official Capacity as the        )
      Township Clerk for Joliet Township,             )
                                                      )
              Defendants                              )
                                                      ) Honorable
      (Annette Parker, in Her Official Capacity as    ) Victoria R. Breslan,
      Will County Clerk, Defendant-Appellant          ) Brian E. Barrett,
      and Cross-Appellee).                            ) Judges, Presiding.
      ____________________________________________________________________________

            JUSTICE BRENNAN delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
            Presiding Justice Hettel and Justice Holdridge concurred in the judgment and opinion.
      ____________________________________________________________________________


                                                 OPINION

¶1          Defendant, Annette Parker, in her official capacity as Will County Clerk (County Clerk),

     appeals from the circuit court’s order finding in favor of plaintiff, Cesar Guerrero, on his claims

     for declaratory relief and for a writ of mandamus to compel the County Clerk to place Guerrero’s

     name on the April 1, 2025, consolidated election ballot as the Democratic candidate for
     Township Supervisor for Joliet Township in Will County (Township Supervisor). Guerrero

     cross-appeals from the circuit court’s order granting the County Clerk’s motion for summary

     judgment on his claim for deprivation of his constitutional rights in violation of section 29-17 of

     the Election Code (Code) (10 ILCS 5/29-17 (West 2024)). For the reasons set forth below, we

     affirm.

¶2                                             I. BACKGROUND

¶3             This is an election case involving placement of Guerrero on the April 1, 2025,

     consolidated election ballot. On October 29, 2024, the Illinois State Board of Elections (Board)

     sent a letter to “Elect Cesar Guerrero” (Campaign Committee), stating that there was a balance

     due of $6,550 in civil penalties and advising in relevant part,

                       “If you plan to run for any office in the 2025 Consolidated Election and have an

               unpaid civil penalty as of Thursday, January 23, 2025, the date the ballot is certified, your

               name will not appear on the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election ballot. If your

               nominating petitions are filed with an election authority (county clerk or board of election

               commissioners)[,] payment must be received by the Board on or before 3:00 P.M. on

               Wednesday, January 22, 2025 in order for your name to appear on the ballot.” (Emphases

               in original.)

¶4             On December 3, 2024, the Joliet Township Democratic Organization (Democratic

     Organization) held a caucus at which it nominated Guerrero as the Democratic candidate for the

     office of Township Supervisor. Nominating documents were filed with the Joliet Township

     Clerk (Township Clerk), and no objections were filed. However, on January 22, 2025, with

     Guerrero’s $6,550 in civil penalties still outstanding, the Board sent a ballot forfeiture list,

     including Guerrero, to, inter alia, the County Clerk. Citing section 9-30 of the Code (id. § 9-30



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     (entitled “Ballot forfeiture”)), the Board advised, “An election authority is barred from placing

     on the ballot the name of any candidate whose political committee has an unpaid civil penalty

     owed to the State Board of Elections.”

¶5          In turn, on January 29, 2025, the County Clerk’s Office e-mailed the Township Clerk,

     advising, “The following candidates for the April 1, 2025, Consolidated Election [specifying

     Guerrero] are on the Ballot forfeiture list provided by the State Board of Elections. So, they will

     have their name removed from the ballot.” However, that same day—January 29, 2025—

     Guerrero paid the $6,550 in civil penalties. Later that same day, January 29, 2025, the Board sent

     the Campaign Committee a letter, stating:

                    “We are in receipt of your payment in the amount of $6550.00 for your payment

            of a civil penalty for the delinquent filing of campaign disclosure report(s). This payment

            is being forwarded to the State Treasurer for deposit in the General Revenue Fund.

                    Thank you for your compliance with the Illinois Campaign Disclosure Act.”

¶6          Notwithstanding, on January 30, 2025, the Township Clerk notified Guerrero that his

     name had been removed from the April 1, 2025, ballot. Thereafter, on February 4, 2025, the

     Democratic Organization held a special meeting to fill the vacancy created by the removal of

     Guerrero from the April 1, 2025, ballot, at which Guerrero was unanimously reselected to fill the

     vacancy. On February 5, 2025, Guerrero filed with the Township Clerk an executed “Resolution

     To Fill A Vacancy In Nomination For The Office Of Township Supervisor” (Resolution) and

     nominating papers, including a copy of the January 29, 2025, receipt from the Board, reflecting

     payment in full of the civil penalties. (As noted in Guerrero’s complaint, the Township Clerk’s

     file stamp on the nominating papers reflects “2025 JAN-5.” However, there was no dispute that

     it appeared the stamp was inadvertently not reset and that the filing date was in fact February 5,



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     2025.). No objections were filed, and the Township Clerk certified Guerrero for the April 1,

     2025, ballot.

¶7           However, the County Clerk refused to accept the certification of Guerrero’s name to the

     ballot. Accordingly, the “Consolidated Election April 1, 2025 Candidate List,” dated February

     10, 2025, published by the County Clerk, reported that Guerrero’s name was “removed” for

     “Ballot Forfeiture.”

¶8                                     A. TRO and Related Proceedings

¶9           On February 14, 2025, Guerrero filed a three-count “Complaint For Writ Of Mandamus,

     Declaratory Judgment, And Deprivation Of Civil Rights” against the County Clerk and

     Township Clerk in their official capacities. (The Township Clerk was later dismissed from the

     case.) Guerrero alleged that the Township Clerk is charged with the statutory duty of certifying

     the ballots for township elections; that the County Clerk is charged with the statutory duty of

     printing and placing candidates’ names on the ballots; and that these duties are ministerial and

     not discretionary. Count I sought a writ of mandamus to compel the Township Clerk to ensure

     Guerrero’s name has been certified as the Democratic party candidate for Township Supervisor

     on the April 1, 2025, ballot and that the County Clerk accept such certification and print

     Guerrero’s name on the ballot. Count II sought a declaratory judgment that Guerrero is entitled

     to have his name certified and placed on the ballot. Count III alleged an intentional deprivation

     of constitutional rights in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2024) and in violation of section 29-17

     of the Code (10 ILCS 5/29-17 (West 2024) (“Any person who subjects, or causes to be

     subjected, a citizen of the State of Illinois or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the

     deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of the

     United States or of the State of Illinois, relating to registration to vote, the conduct of elections,



                                                        4
       voting, or the nomination or election of candidates for public or political party office, shall be

       liable to the party injured or any person affected, in any action or proceeding for redress.”)).

       Guerrero sought monetary and punitive damages for the alleged unlawful conduct in keeping his

       name off the ballot. Guerrero subsequently withdrew that portion of count III alleging a section

       1983 violation.

¶ 10          On February 18, 2025, Guerrero also filed a “Verified Emergency Motion For Expedited

       Presentment And For Temporary Restraining Order,” requesting an expedited hearing on his

       complaint and a temporary restraining order (TRO) compelling the County and Township Clerks

       to certify and print Guerrero’s name as the Democratic Party’s nominee for the office of

       Township Supervisor on the April 1, 2025, ballot. On February 20, 2025, the County Clerk filed

       a response, arguing that (1) Guerrero was not eligible to be placed on the ballot under section 9-

       30 of the Code notwithstanding his January 29, 2025, payment, because he was on the Board’s

       ballot forfeiture list on January 23, 2025—the date of the Board’s ballot certification, and (2) the

       February 4, 2025, nomination did not comply with the eight-day time limit for filling a vacancy

       in nomination as set forth in section 7-61 of the Code (id. § 7-61 (entitled “Special elections; call

       and notice of primary; vacancies”)). The County Clerk attached a “Final Order” from the Board

       against the Campaign Committee, dated January 20, 2023, assessing $6,550 in civil penalties due

       to delinquent filing of quarterly reports, as well as several prior notices to the Campaign

       Committee, advising that Guerrero would not appear on the ballot if the penalties were not paid

       by the specified dates.

¶ 11          On February 20, 2025, the circuit court (Judge Victoria R. Breslan) held an agreed

       emergency hearing, at which Guerrero testified and acknowledged the campaign finance

       violations due to missed quarterly reports and the Board notices to pay the penalties. Following



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       the parties’ arguments, the circuit court took the matter under advisement and continued the

       matter to the next day.

¶ 12                                          1. Circuit Court’s Ruling

¶ 13           On February 21, 2025, the circuit court found in favor of Guerrero and entered an order

       directing the County Clerk to include Guerrero’s name on the April 1, 2025, ballot for the office

       of Township Supervisor. The court stated that it would enter an order detailing its findings within

       seven days. The circuit court entered a judgment order on February 25, 2025, setting forth the

       rationale for its entry of judgment in Guerrero’s favor. The circuit court rejected the County

       Clerk’s argument that section 9-30 of the Code banned a candidate from all ballots during a

       particular election cycle if the candidate pays civil penalties after the ballot certification date.

       Section 9-30 provides in relevant part that

               “[t]he election authority shall not place upon the ballot the name of any candidate

               appearing on this list for any office in any election while the penalty is unpaid, unless the

               candidate has requested a hearing and the Board has not disposed of the matter by the

               date of certification.” Id. § 9-30.

       Citing this plain language, the circuit court reasoned that, as of January 29, 2025 (the date that

       the County Clerk provided notice to the Township Clerk that Guerrero would be removed from

       the ballot), it was undisputed that Guerrero had no unpaid penalties. Thus, the circuit court

       determined that allowing Guerrero on the ballot after he paid his penalties was in conformity

       with the legislative intent of section 9-30 “to ensure the fines assessed against Illinois campaign

       committees are paid, not to prevent ballot access by candidates who may experience a delay in

       obtaining the funds to pay outstanding fines.” Moreover, the circuit court reasoned that, even if

       Guerrero had been properly removed from the ballot after his initial nomination, “that candidacy



                                                          6
       is not the same candidacy filled by the Joliet Township Democratic organization on February 4,

       2025.” As such, there were no outstanding penalties following Guerrero’s renomination to

       warrant removal from the ballot.

¶ 14          In addition, the circuit court found that the eight-day countdown for vacancy action (see

       id. § 7-61 (providing, inter alia, that “[a]ny vacancy in nomination occurring after certification

       but prior to 15 days before the general election shall be filled within 8 days after the event

       creating the vacancy”)), began, at the earliest, on January 29, 2025. Thus, when the vacancy was

       filled by the February 4, 2025, Resolution, there was no timeliness basis to refuse to print

       Guerrero’s name on the ballot.

¶ 15          On February 24, 2025, Guerrero filed an emergency petition for rule to show cause and to

       compel compliance with the circuit court’s February 21, 2025, written order. According to the

       petition, the County Clerk’s website had not been updated to reflect Guerrero as a candidate and,

       when Guerrero’s counsel complained, the website was updated to include the following notation

       next to Guerrero’s name: “Ballot Forfeiture, per Judge name will be printed on ballot.” On

       February 26, 2025, the circuit court ordered immediate removal of the notation but ultimately

       denied Guerrero’s petition following briefing and argument.

¶ 16                                         2. Interlocutory Appeal

¶ 17          Meanwhile, on February 21, 2025, the County Clerk filed a notice of interlocutory appeal

       from the circuit court’s February 21, 2025, order and subsequently filed a petition for review and

       supporting memorandum pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 307(d) (eff. Nov. 1, 2017).

       The County Clerk argued that Guerrero failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the

       merits for purposes of obtaining a TRO, could not obtain equitable relief due to “unclean hands,”




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       and failed to show that any harm to him would outweigh the harm to the public from the

       precedent the case would set for candidates who violate election laws.

¶ 18          On February 25, 2025, Guerrero countered with a motion to dismiss the appeal for lack of

       jurisdiction. Guerrero argued, in relevant part, that the order entered by the circuit court was a

       final judgment on the merits of counts I and II, not a TRO, and thus there was no jurisdiction

       under Rule 307—applicable only to interlocutory orders—and that count III remained pending in

       the circuit court. The County Clerk disputed the permanent nature of the order and maintained

       that we had jurisdiction under Rule 307. On February 28, 2025, this court entered an order

       allowing the motion to dismiss and dismissing the County Clerk’s appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

       Guerrero v. Parker, No. 3-25-0095 (Ill. App. Ct. Feb. 28, 2025).

¶ 19          Back in the circuit court, the County Clerk filed an emergency motion to amend the

       February 25, 2025, order to include a finding pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 304(a)

       (eff. Mar. 8, 2016) that there was no just reason for delaying either the enforcement or appeal of

       the order notwithstanding that count III remained pending. Guerrero filed a response in

       opposition to the motion, arguing that the unadjudicated claim in count III was closely related

       and stemmed from the same factual allegations underlying the adjudicated claims in counts I and

       II such that a Rule 304(a) finding was not warranted and would lead to redundant, piecemeal

       appeals. Following argument, on March 10, 2025, the circuit court denied the motion to include a

       Rule 304(a) finding in the February 25, 2025, order.

¶ 20                                       B. Proceedings on Count III

¶ 21          On March 10, 2025, the County Clerk filed a jury demand, and the case was

       administratively transferred to Judge Brian E. Barrett. The County Clerk also filed an answer and

       affirmative defenses to count III of Guerrero’s complaint with a supporting affidavit and



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       exhibits, including the Board’s October 29, 2024, correspondence to the Campaign Committee

       regarding the outstanding penalties and the Board’s January 22, 2025, ballot forfeiture list with

       Guerrero’s name sent to the County Clerk. The affirmative defenses alleged that relief should be

       denied under section 9-30 of the Code, due to the outstanding penalties, and that the vacancy was

       filled outside the time limits of section 7-61 of the Code. The affirmative defenses also alleged

       immunity from liability under various provisions of the Local Governmental and Governmental

       Employees Tort Immunity Act (Tort Immunity Act), including section 2-202 (745 ILCS 10/2-

       202 (West 2024) (“A public employee is not liable for his act or omission in the execution or

       enforcement of any law unless such act or omission constitutes willful and wanton conduct.”)).

       Subsequently, Guerrero moved to strike the affirmative defenses.

¶ 22          Then, on March 11, 2025, the County Clerk filed an emergency motion for judgment on

       the pleadings, arguing that she was immune from liability as a matter of law on count III under

       the Tort Immunity Act, including that she was merely enforcing the law and, thus, immune under

       section 2-202. In opposition, Guerrero argued that judgment on the pleadings was not warranted

       where the County Clerk continued to deny the material allegations. Guerrero also argued that the

       Tort Immunity Act applies only to tort claims and does not bar actions for constitutional

       violations. Thus, according to Guerrero, the Tort Immunity Act did not preclude liability for

       count III, which sought damages for a constitutional violation pursuant to section 29-17 of the

       Code. Guerrero further argued in relevant part that, even if the Tort Immunity Act applied to his

       claim, the County Clerk was not immune under section 2-202 because her alleged conduct was

       willful and wanton. Following argument, on March 20, 2025, the circuit court granted in part

       Guerrero’s motion to strike the affirmative defenses, striking those defenses based on sections 9-

       30 and 7-61 of the Code on the ground that the defenses amounted to mere denials of the



                                                        9
       allegations in Guerrero’s complaint. The circuit court also denied the County Clerk’s motion for

       judgment on the pleadings, finding that there was a question of fact as to the allegation that the

       County Clerk abused her position in keeping Guerrero off the ballot.

¶ 23            The County Clerk subsequently served interrogatories, document requests, and a notice

       of deposition on Guerrero and deposition subpoenas on the Democratic Organization

       committeepersons who voted to fill the vacancy for Township Supervisor. Then, on March 25,

       2025, the County Clerk filed a motion for summary judgment on count III, arguing that the

       following material facts were undisputed: (1) the County Clerk received from the Board a ballot

       forfeiture list, which included Guerrero; (2) on January 23, 2025, the County Clerk removed

       Guerrero’s name from the April 1, 2025, consolidated election ballot, as Guerrero was still on the

       ballot forfeiture list; (3) Guerrero paid his civil penalties after ballot certification on January 29,

       2025; (4) on February 4, 2025, Guerrero was appointed to fill the vacancy on the ballot “caused

       by his own forfeiture”; (5) after the appointment, the County Clerk refused to accept certification

       of Guerrero’s name; and (6) Guerrero was restored to the ballot pursuant to the circuit court’s

       February 21, 2025, ruling. Accordingly, the County Clerk argued that she was immune from

       liability as a matter of law, pursuant to section 2-202, because she merely enforced the ballot

       forfeiture list. The County Clerk also argued that she was entitled to summary judgment on count

       III because there was no evidence that Guerrero suffered any damages, given that he had won the

       election. The County Clerk further argued that, while attorney fees were available under the

       dismissed section 1983 claim, attorney fees are not available under the remaining section 29-17

       claim.

¶ 24            On April 3, 2025, Guerrero filed a motion to quash the subpoenas and stay discovery

       until adjudication of the summary judgment motion. Guerrero’s position was that liability had



                                                          10
       already been established and that the only remaining issue was damages. Thus, Guerrero argued

       that the discovery requests were harassing and an abuse of process. On April 7, 2025, the County

       Clerk filed a motion for leave of 21 days “in which to file an Amended Motion for Summary

       Judgment following discovery.” Then, on April 8, 2025, Guerrero filed a response in opposition

       to summary judgment, arguing that the County Clerk’s motion lacked any supporting documents,

       that the material facts remained in dispute, and that the County Clerk’s argument was merely an

       attempt to relitigate the merits of counts I and II. Guerrero did not reassert his argument

       regarding the nonapplicability of the Tort Immunity Act.

¶ 25          On April 9, 2025, following argument, the circuit court entered an order, granting

       Guerrero’s motion to quash the subpoenas and stay discovery and stating that the County Clerk

       “has until April 11, 2025 to file a 191(b) or other pleadings.” In her April 11, 2025, reply in

       support of summary judgment on count III, the County Clerk stated that she is “declining to file a

       Rule 191(b) affidavit despite need for additional discovery and will stand on her Motion and this

       Reply.” The County Clerk also asserted that her answer to the complaint was supported by

       affidavit and supporting exhibits, including the letter Guerrero received from the Board

       regarding the need to pay the outstanding penalties by the ballot certification date.

¶ 26          Following argument, on May 8, 2025, the circuit court granted summary judgment in the

       County Clerk’s favor, finding that, while there was evidence of damages, there were no

       questions of material fact with respect to liability. Rather, the circuit court reasoned that the

       County Clerk simply followed the law in removing Guerrero from the ballot upon receipt of the

       Board’s ballot forfeiture list. The circuit court explained that it had a “disagreement with the

       prosecutor’s argument as to immunity” but that “[p]erhaps we are just intermingling our terms.”

       The circuit court elaborated, “You call it immunity. I call it whether it’s a statutory violation or



                                                         11
       not.” Regardless, the circuit court reasoned that the County Clerk “didn’t do anything illegal”

       and “didn’t do anything to subject Mr. Guerrero to abuse o[f] discretion.” The circuit court

       further stated, “In this Court’s view, it was not discretionary. She got the letter from the State

       Board of Elections. She read the law. She saw Mr. Guerrero’s name, and she acted according to

       the law.” Thus, the circuit court found no genuine issues of material fact as to Guerrero’s claim

       under section 29-17 of the Code and granted summary judgment in the County Clerk’s favor on

       count III.

¶ 27           The County Clerk timely filed a notice of appeal from the circuit court’s ruling on counts

       I and II; Guerrero timely filed a notice of cross-appeal from the circuit court’s ruling on count

       III. Meanwhile, however, on April 1, 2025, the consolidated election was held, and Guerrero was

       elected to the position of Township Supervisor. On April 22, 2025, Guerrero was certified as the

       Township Supervisor. Thus, on August 15, 2025, Guerreo filed a motion to dismiss the County

       Clerk’s appeal for lack of jurisdiction, arguing that the appeal is moot because the election is

       over, he won, and he is actively serving as Township Supervisor. As such, according to

       Guerrero, there is no relief to be rewarded. The County Clerk filed a response in opposition to

       the motion to dismiss, arguing that the appeal is not moot and that, regardless, the appeal may be

       decided under the public interest exception to the mootness doctrine. We entered an order taking

       the motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction with the case.

¶ 28                                              II. ANALYSIS

¶ 29           On appeal, the County Clerk challenges the circuit court’s order granting Guerrero’s

       request for a writ of mandamus and declaratory judgment on counts I and II, which required the

       County Clerk to accept Guerrero’s nominating papers and print his name on the ballot for the

       April 1, 2025, consolidated election. On cross-appeal, Guerrero argues that the circuit court erred



                                                        12
       in granting summary judgment in the County Clerk’s favor on his claim in count III for

       deprivation of his constitutional rights under section 29-17 of the Code.

¶ 30          However, prior to addressing the merits of the parties’ arguments, we turn to Guerrero’s

       motion to dismiss the County Clerk’s appeal for lack of jurisdiction. See Secura Insurance Co. v.

       Illinois Farmers Insurance Co., 232 Ill. 2d 209, 213 (2009) (a reviewing court must ascertain the

       threshold question of its jurisdiction before considering the merits of an appeal).

¶ 31                                              A. Jurisdiction

¶ 32          “The existence of an actual controversy is an essential requisite to appellate jurisdiction,

       and courts of review will generally not decide abstract, hypothetical, or moot questions.” In re

       Andrea F., 208 Ill. 2d 148, 156 (2003). An appeal is moot when no actual controversy exists or

       when events transpire that render it impossible for the reviewing court to grant effectual relief.

       Commonwealth Edison Co. v. Illinois Commerce Comm’n, 2016 IL 118129, ¶ 10. Initially, the

       parties dispute the mootness of this appeal. Guerrero argues that his name was certified and

       printed on the ballot; he won the election; and he has been serving as Township Supervisor since

       May 19, 2025. Thus, Guerrero argues that there is no effectual relief for this court to award with

       respect to ballot placement.

¶ 33          The County Clerk responds that relief may still be granted, despite the completion of the

       election, citing Delgado v. Board of Election Commissioners of Chicago, 224 Ill. 2d 481 (2007).

       The County Clerk’s reliance on Delgado is misplaced, as, there, our supreme court granted

       supervisory relief with respect to a candidate’s ineligibility to run for office and removal from

       the ballot in an imminent, but not yet held, election. See id. at 489. In contrast, here, the April 1,

       2025, consolidated election is over, and Guerrero is actively serving in his role as Township

       Supervisor. Accordingly, the County Clerk’s appeal is moot. See Elsamny v. Peoria County



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       Board of Election Commissioners, 2018 IL App (3d) 170295, ¶ 10 (“ ‘It is well established under

       Illinois law that the conclusion of an election cycle normally moots an election contest.’ ”

       (quoting Jackson v. Board of Election Commissioners of Chicago, 2012 IL 111928, ¶ 36)).

¶ 34           Alternatively, if her appeal is moot, the County Clerk maintains that we should decide the

       case pursuant to the public interest exception to the mootness doctrine. We review application of

       the public interest exception de novo. McHenry Township Road District v. Pritzker, 2021 IL App

       (2d) 200636, ¶ 37. “The public interest exception to the mootness doctrine permits review of an

       otherwise moot question when the magnitude or immediacy of the interests involved warrants

       action by the court.” Commonwealth Edison, 2016 IL 118129, ¶ 12. The public interest

       exception is narrowly construed and requires a clear showing that (1) the question presented is of

       a public nature, (2) an authoritative determination of the question is desirable for the future

       guidance of public officers, and (3) the question is likely to recur. Id. ¶¶ 12-13. “If any one of the

       criteria is not established, the exception may not be invoked.” Id. ¶ 13. We address each criterion

       in turn and conclude that the County Clerk established that the public interest exception applies

       in this case.

¶ 35           First, as to the public nature of the question presented, whether Guerrero was eligible to

       be placed on the April 1, 2025, consolidated election ballot involves an election issue. Questions

       of election law are “ ‘inherently *** a matter of public concern’ ” sufficient to invoke the public

       interest exception to prevent uncertainty in the electoral process. McHenry Township Road

       District, 2021 IL App (2d) 200636, ¶ 51 (quoting Goodman v. Ward, 241 Ill. 2d 398, 404-05

       (2011)). Moreover, resolution of Guerrero’s eligibility to the placed on the ballot involves the

       interpretation of sections 9-30 and 7-61 of the Code. Issues involving statutory construction are

       “ ‘of broad public interest and therefore of a public nature.’ ” Id. ¶ 40 (quoting People v.



                                                        14
       Horsman, 406 Ill. App. 3d 984, 986 (2011)). Thus, the question presented satisfies the public

       nature criterion.

¶ 36          Second, concerning whether an authoritative determination of the question presented is

       desirable for future guidance of public officials, a ruling here would “avoid[ ] the uncertainty in

       the electoral process which inevitably results when threshold eligibility issues cannot be fully

       resolved before voters begin casting their ballots.” Jackson, 2012 IL 111928, ¶ 44.

¶ 37          Third, as to the likelihood that the question presented will recur, the County Clerk points

       out that the ballot forfeiture list included numerous other candidates with outstanding penalties.

       Thus, there is a likelihood that a challenge to resulting ballot eligibility will recur. Guerrero

       counters that the issue of “candidates who pay their civil penalty late” is a case of first

       impression and that this is a “one-off” case such that such that recurrence of the issue is not

       likely. However, “[c]ase law demonstrates that even issues of first impression may be

       appropriate for review under [the public interest] exception.” In re Shelby R., 2013 IL 114994,

       ¶ 20. Moreover, that the complaining party would be different is not determinative in resolving

       application of the public interest exception, as “ ‘[t]he public-interest exception considers

       potential recurrences to any person, not only the complaining party.’ ” McHenry Township Road

       District, 2021 IL App (2d) 200636, ¶ 62 (quoting In re Christopher P., 2012 IL App (4th)

       100902, ¶ 20).

¶ 38          In sum, the County Clerk established that application of the public interest exception is

       warranted in this case. We therefore deny Guerreo’s motion to dismiss the County Clerk’s appeal

       and turn to the merits of the parties’ arguments.




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¶ 39                                B. County Clerk’s Appeal: Counts I and II

¶ 40           In challenging the circuit court’s order granting Guerrero’s request for a writ of

       mandamus and declaratory judgment on counts I and II, the County Clerk argues that

       (1) Guerrero was not eligible to be placed on the ballot under section 9-30 of the Code, given

       that he was on the Board’s ballot forfeiture list on January 23, 2025—the date of the Board’s

       ballot certification, and (2) the February 4, 2025, nomination did not comply with the eight-day

       time limit for filling a vacancy in nomination as set forth in section 7-61 of the Code. Where, as

       here, the issues on appeal involve purely legal questions of statutory interpretation, we apply the

       de novo standard of review. See Pitts v. Kolitwenzew, 2020 IL App (3d) 190267, ¶ 19

       (mandamus); In re Marriage of Kranzler, 2018 IL App (1st) 171169, ¶ 39 (declaratory

       judgment); Swigert v. Gillespie, 2012 IL App (4th) 120043, ¶ 28 (permanent injunction).

¶ 41           In construing the Code, we employ the same principles of statutory construction

       applicable to statutes generally. Maloney v. Janecyk, 2025 IL App (1st) 250043, ¶ 13. The

       primary objective is to ascertain and give effect to the legislature’s intent. Id. The most reliable

       indicator of legislative intent is the statutory language, given its plain and ordinary meaning. Id.

       Where the statutory language is clear and unambiguous, we will enforce it as written and not

       read into it exceptions, conditions, or limitations not expressed by the legislature. Id. Moreover,

       where reasonably possible, we interpret election statutes in favor of, not against, ballot access.

       Id. ¶ 14. As our supreme court has recognized, courts must “tread cautiously when construing

       statutory language which restricts the people’s right to endorse and nominate the candidate of

       their choice.” Lucas v. Lakin, 175 Ill. 2d 166, 176 (1997); see McGuire v. Nogaj, 146 Ill. App. 3d

       280, 282 (1986) (statutes imposing disqualification should be construed to resolve all doubts in

       favor of a candidate’s eligibility).



                                                        16
¶ 42          We are also mindful that “[t]he primary purpose of all election laws is to ensure a fair and

       honest election” (see Carlasare v. Will County Officers Electoral Board, 2012 IL App (3d)

       120699, ¶ 19) and that “[t]he provisions of the Election Code are designed to protect the integrity

       of the electoral process” (see Siegel v. Lake County Officers Electoral Board, 385 Ill. App. 3d

       452, 460 (2008)). Notwithstanding, Illinois regards ballot access as a substantial right that is not

       to be denied lightly. Id. at 460-61. With these principles in mind, we address the parties’

       arguments.

¶ 43                                             1. Section 9-30

¶ 44          Section 9-30 provides:

              “The State Board of Elections shall not certify the name of any person who has not paid a

              civil penalty imposed against his or her political committee under this Article to appear

              upon any ballot for any office in any election if the penalty is unpaid by the date required

              for certification.

                      The State Board of Elections shall generate a list of all candidates whose political

              committees have not paid any civil penalty assessed against them under this Article. Such

              list shall be transmitted to any election authority whose duty it is to place the name of any

              such candidate on the ballot. The election authority shall not place upon the ballot the

              name of any candidate appearing on this list for any office in any election while the

              penalty is unpaid, unless the candidate has requested a hearing and the Board has not

              disposed of the matter by the date of certification.” (Emphasis added.) 10 ILCS 5/9-30

              (West 2024).

¶ 45          The County Clerk asserts that the ballot forfeiture rule is mandatory, as evidenced by the

       statute’s repeated use of the word “shall.” She emphasizes that section 9-30 does not provide any



                                                        17
       exceptions for being on the ballot if a candidate pays his penalties past the ballot certification

       date. The plain language of the statute does not support the County Clerk’s argument. Rather, the

       statute provides that the election authority—in this case, the County Clerk—shall not place a

       candidate whose name appears on the ballot forfeiture list on the ballot “while the [civil] penalty

       is unpaid.” (Emphasis added.) Id. Use of the term “while” is determinative of the issue before us,

       although it is not defined in the Code. Thus, we presume that the “legislature intended the term

       to have its ordinary and popularly understood meaning.” People v. Diggins, 235 Ill. 2d 48, 55

       (2009). “While,” in its conjunctive form, means “during the time that” or “as long as.” Merriam-

       Webster Online Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/while (last visited

       Apr. 10, 2026) [https://perma.cc/8GFT-4S22].

¶ 46          Accordingly, as used in section 9-30, the term “while” operates to define a circumstance

       that, when in existence, prevents the election authority from placing a candidate’s name on the

       ballot. Stated otherwise, a candidate cannot be placed on the ballot during the time that the

       candidate’s penalties are unpaid. Inversely, it follows that, assuming no other statutory barriers

       exist, a candidate can be placed on the ballot if the penalties are paid. As the circuit court

       reasoned, the plain language of section 9-30 does not condition inclusion on the ballot upon

       payment before the certification date; rather, the statute conditions inclusion upon payment only.

       On January 29, 2025, the County Clerk sent notice that Guerrero would be removed from the

       ballot; however, at some point on January 29, 2025, Guerrero had no unpaid penalty. Section 9-

       30 was inapplicable once Guerrero paid his penalties.

¶ 47          Moreover, to the extent the County Clerk appropriately relied on section 9-30 to remove

       Guerrero from the ballot on January 29, 2025, or January 30, 2025, that candidacy is

       distinguishable from the candidacy Guerrero ultimately sought. A vacancy on the ballot was



                                                        18
       created as early as January 29, 2025, due to Guerrero’s nonpayment; Guerrero was subsequently

       renominated to fill said vacancy. This resulted in Guerrero’s submission of February 4, 2025,

       nominating papers, and it is undisputed that, on this date, he did not have any outstanding

       penalties. As such, section 9-30 was not properly employed by the County Clerk to refuse to

       print Guerrero’s name on the ballot. Simply put, the guiding principles of statutory construction

       do not support the County Clerk’s interpretation of section 9-30.

¶ 48          In so concluding, we agree with the circuit court that the legislative intent of section 9-30

       “is to ensure the fines assessed against Illinois campaign committees are paid, not to prevent

       ballot access by candidates who may experience a delay in obtaining the funds to pay

       outstanding fines” and that the intent was met here by the payment of the penalties. Adopting the

       County Clerk’s interpretation of section 9-30 would require us to read into the statute an

       unexpressed limitation that a candidate is barred from being placed on the ballot for an entire

       election cycle if the candidate does not pay his penalties by a certain date, which we cannot do.

       See Maloney, 2025 IL App (1st) 250043, ¶ 13 (where the statutory language is clear and

       unambiguous, we will enforce it as written and not read into it exceptions, conditions, or

       limitations not expressed by the legislature). Rather, because the statutory language reasonably

       allows it, we interpret the language of section 9-30 in favor of ballot access once the penalties are

       paid. See id. ¶ 14.

¶ 49          Nor is the County Clerk’s reliance on Washington v. Winston, 2021 IL App (1st) 210225-

       U, availing for the proposition that she had a duty to adhere to the ballot forfeiture list. In

       Washington, the county clerk printed a candidate’s name on the ballot, despite the fact that the

       candidate appeared on a ballot forfeiture list and had not paid his penalties or requested a hearing

       before the Board to resolve his delinquency and forfeiture. Id. ¶¶ 3-4. The circuit court issued a



                                                         19
       writ of mandamus to the county clerk to remove the candidate from the ballot. Id. ¶ 9. In

       affirming, the appellate court held that, pursuant to section 9-30, the county clerk had a

       ministerial, non-discretionary duty to omit the candidate’s name from the ballot. Id. ¶¶ 19, 21-22.

       Here, unlike in Washington, Guerrero did pay his penalties, thereby removing any basis under

       section 9-30 to omit Guerrero’s name from the ballot.

¶ 50          In sum, we reject the County Clerk’s reliance on section 9-30 as a basis for reversal.

¶ 51                                             2. Section 7-61

¶ 52          The relevant portion of section 7-61 provides:

                       “Any vacancy in nomination under the provisions of this Article 7 occurring on or

              after the primary and prior to certification of candidates by the certifying board or officer

              must be filled prior to the date of certification. Any vacancy in nomination occurring

              after certification but prior to 15 days before the general election shall be filled within 8

              days after the event creating the vacancy. The resolution filling the vacancy shall be sent

              by U.S. mail or personal delivery to the certifying officer or board within 3 days of the

              action by which the vacancy was filled ***.” (Emphasis added.) 10 ILCS 5/7-61 (West

              2024).

¶ 53          The County Clerk argues that, even if the late payment of Guerrero’s fines permitted him

       to fill a vacancy on the ballot, the filling of that vacancy pursuant to the February 4, 2025,

       nomination was outside the eight-day time frame required under section 7-61. According to the

       County Clerk, the event that caused the vacancy was the ballot forfeiture date of January 23,

       2025. Thus, the County Clerk argues that the last day to fill the vacancy was eight days later, on

       January 31, 2025.




                                                        20
¶ 54          However, to the extent the County Clerk looked beyond the four corners of Guerrero’s

       February 4, 2025, nominating papers to determine that they did not comply with section 7-61,

       she exceeded her ministerial authority. Section 10-8 of the Code provides that, with exceptions

       not relevant here,

              “certificates of nomination and nomination papers, *** being filed as required by this

              Code, and being in apparent conformity with the provisions of this Act, shall be deemed

              to be valid unless objection thereto is duly made in writing within 5 business days after

              the last day for filing the certificate of nomination or nomination papers.” Id. § 10-8.

       The question is one of “apparent conformity,” i.e., the clerk must accept nominating papers that

       are in apparent conformity with the Code. McHenry Township v. County of McHenry, 2022 IL

       127258, ¶¶ 81-82 (citing North v. Hinkle, 295 Ill. App. 3d 84, 88-89 (1998); People ex rel. Giese

       v. Dillon, 266 Ill. 272, 275-76 (1914)). In other words, a ministerial officer may not look beyond

       the face of the filings to determine whether the filings comply with the law. Dillon, 266 Ill. at

       275-76.

¶ 55          Here, Guerrero’s nominating papers reflected no facial deficiency with respect to the

       alleged failure to comply with the eight-day requirement set forth in section 7-61 of the Code.

       Rather, the nominating papers stated that the vacancy in nomination “occurred January 30, 2025,

       when the Will County Clerk vacated the seat.” Thus, on the face of the nominating papers, the

       vacancy in nomination was filled by the Resolution within eight days of the event creating the

       vacancy.

¶ 56          In determining otherwise, the County Clerk considered information outside the four

       corners of the nominating papers. This information included that Guerrero, in the course of his

       initial nomination and certification, had failed to pay his penalties by January 23, 2025. The



                                                        21
       County Clerk cannot call upon direct knowledge stemming from her duties to contradict the

       information contained on the face of the filings. See id. Doing so in this instance required the

       County Clerk to go beyond her ministerial role and perform an act of statutory interpretation to

       determine the meaning of the phrase “the event creating the vacancy,” deeming it to be the date

       upon which Guerrero’s fine was due, as opposed to the date the County Clerk removed

       Guerrero’s name from the ballot. Exceeding the scope of her ministerial duties, the County Clerk

       then applied her statutory interpretation to facts outside the four corners of the filings.

¶ 57           Moreover, in considering the plain language of section 7-61 and keeping in mind that

       election statutes should be construed in favor of ballot access, we agree with the circuit court that

       the vacancy began either when the County Clerk informed the Township Clerk that Guerrero’s

       name would not be on the ballot (January 29, 2025) or when the Township Clerk informed

       Guerrero that the County Clerk had taken that action (January 30, 2025). The February 4, 2025,

       nomination date was within eight days of either of those dates. Accordingly, we likewise reject

       the County Clerk’s reliance on section 7-61 as a basis for reversal.

¶ 58           As a final matter with respect to counts I and II, the County Clerk, in her reply brief,

       contends that Guerrero was not entitled to equitable relief because he lacked “clean hands” in

       that he incurred thousands of dollars in penalties that were paid only after being removed from

       the ballot. “The doctrine of ‘unclean hands’ precludes a party from taking advantage of his own

       wrong” and “applies if the party seeking equitable relief is guilty of misconduct, fraud or bad

       faith toward the party against whom relief is sought if that misconduct is connected with the

       transaction at issue.” Long v. Kemper Life Insurance Co., 196 Ill. App. 3d 216, 219 (1990).

       However, as Guerrero argues, the County Clerk forfeited this argument by failing to raise it in

       the circuit court and failing to raise it in her opening brief on appeal. See Ill. S. Ct. R. 341(h)(7)



                                                         22
       (eff. Oct. 1, 2020) (“Points not argued are forfeited and shall not be raised in the reply brief

       ***.”); Cambridge Engineering, Inc. v. Mercury Partners 90 BI, Inc., 378 Ill. App. 3d 437, 453

       (2007) (issues not raised in the circuit court may not be raised for the first time on appeal). We

       further note, for the sake of analysis, that there was no evidence of misconduct, fraud, or bad

       faith on the part of Guerrero. Moreover, to the extent that the penalties had been paid when

       Guerrero was renominated, his hands were clean as it relates to the February 4, 2025,

       nomination.

¶ 59                                 C. Guerrero’s Cross-Appeal: Count III

¶ 60          Guerrero appeals the grant of summary judgment as to count III on the ground that there

       were genuine issues of material fact as to both liability and (as the circuit court found) damages.

       Summary judgment is proper when “the pleadings, depositions, and admissions on file, together

       with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the

       moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” 735 ILCS 5/2-1005(c) (West 2024).

       In determining whether there is a genuine issue of material fact, the pleadings, depositions,

       admissions, and affidavits must be construed strictly against the movant and liberally in favor of

       the opponent. Bagent v. Blessing Care Corp., 224 Ill. 2d 154, 162 (2007). A triable issue of fact

       exists where the material facts are disputed or where, although the material facts are undisputed,

       reasonable minds might draw different inferences from those facts. Id. at 162-63. We review

       summary judgment rulings de novo. Id. at 163.

¶ 61          As set forth above, count III alleged an intentional deprivation of his constitutional rights

       in violation of section 29-17 of the Code, which provides:

              “Any person who subjects, or causes to be subjected, a citizen of the State of Illinois or

              other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or



                                                        23
              immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States or of the State of

              Illinois, relating to registration to vote, the conduct of elections, voting, or the nomination

              or election of candidates for public or political party office, shall be liable to the party

              injured or any person affected, in any action or proceeding for redress.” 10 ILCS 5/29-17

              (West 2024).

¶ 62          “The language and purpose of section 29-17, which is modeled after section 1983 of the

       Civil Rights Act (42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2012)), creates a private cause of action for violations of an

       individual’s election-related federal and state constitutional rights.” Dempsey v. Johnson, 2016

       IL App (1st) 153377, ¶ 48. In Dempsey, the plaintiff—a candidate for the village president—

       alleged that the defendant—the village clerk—removed the plaintiff’s nominating papers from

       her office and took them home to assist the plaintiff’s opponent in formulating a challenge to the

       plaintiff’s candidacy. Id. ¶ 3. The plaintiff’s opponent succeeded in her challenge before the

       electoral board, on which the defendant sat, and the electoral board ordered that the plaintiff’s

       name be removed from the ballot. Id. ¶¶ 3-4. The circuit court, however, reversed the electoral

       board’s decision and reinstated the plaintiff’s name to the ballot. Id. ¶ 5. The plaintiff further

       alleged that, the evening before the election, the defendant disseminated a “robocall” to

       registered voters, falsely stating that the plaintiff was not a legitimate candidate and had been

       officially removed from the ballot and that any votes cast in her favor would be a “ ‘lost vote.’ ”

       Id. ¶ 6. After the plaintiff lost the election, she filed a two-count complaint under section 29-17

       and section 1983, alleging that the defendant deprived her of her right to freedom of association

       by retaliating against her for her political affiliation as an independent candidate, violated her

       right to equal protection by treating her differently from other candidates, and violated the

       express prohibition on the use of public funds to urge electors to vote for or against a candidate,



                                                         24
       as set forth in section 9-25.1(b) of the Code (10 ILCS 5/9-25.1(b) (West 2012)). Dempsey, 2016

       IL App (1st) 153377, ¶¶ 6-7.

¶ 63          The appellate court reversed in part the circuit court’s dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims.

       Relevant here, the appellate court rejected the defendant’s argument that dismissal of the

       complaint was warranted because her conduct in placing the robocall was protected by section 2-

       210 of the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/2-210 (West 2012) (“A public employee acting in

       the scope of his employment is not liable for an injury caused by his negligent misrepresentation

       or the provision of information either orally, in writing, by computer or any other electronic

       transmission, or in a book or other form of library material.”). Dempsey, 2016 IL App (1st)

       153377, ¶ 53. Noting that section 2-210 immunizes only negligent conduct and taking as true the

       plaintiff’s allegations that the defendant willfully and wantonly provided false information to the

       voters with the intent to suppress the vote and cause the plaintiff injury, the appellate court

       reasoned that section 2-210 did not shield the defendant from liability. Id. ¶¶ 55-57.

¶ 64          Here, the County Clerk maintains that she was enforcing section 9-30 of the Code and,

       thus, was entitled to immunity under section 2-202 of the Tort Immunity Act. See 745 ILCS

       10/2-202 (West 2024) (“A public employee is not liable for his act or omission in the execution

       or enforcement of any law unless such act or omission constitutes willful and wanton conduct.”).

       We note that Guerrero does not, as he did below, dispute the applicability of the Tort Immunity

       Act to actions for constitutional violations. Rather, he contends that there remain genuine issues

       of material fact as to whether the County Clerk acted willfully and wantonly. Guerrero’s position

       is that summary judgment should have been denied for the same reason judgment on the

       pleadings was denied—that there were genuine issues of material fact as to whether the County

       Clerk abused her position in keeping Guerrero off the ballot. See In re Appointment of Special


                                                        25
       Prosecutor, 2019 IL 122949, ¶ 52 (a motion for judgment on the pleadings “is essentially a

       motion for summary judgment that is limited to the pleadings”).

¶ 65          However, the procedural posture is such that we are reviewing the grant of summary

       judgment, not the denial of judgment on the pleadings. We resolve whether the pleadings,

       depositions, and admissions on file—together with the affidavits, if any—show that there is no

       genuine issue as to any material fact, such that the County Clerk is entitled to a judgment as a

       matter of law on count III. See 735 ILCS 5/2-1005(c) (West 2024). Here, there were no

       depositions or discovery responses. Rather, Guerrero sought and obtained a stay of discovery,

       pending adjudication of the County Clerk’s summary judgment motion. We are therefore left

       with Guerrero’s complaint and the County Clerk’s answer and affirmative defense of immunity

       under section 2-202, which included a supporting affidavit and exhibits, including the Board’s

       October 29, 2024, correspondence to the Campaign Committee regarding the outstanding

       penalties and the Board’s January 22, 2025, ballot forfeiture list with Guerrero’s name sent to the

       County Clerk.

¶ 66          Guerrero maintains that, because the County Clerk denied the material allegations in his

       complaint, “the pleadings, on their face, establish that there are genuine issues of material fact

       that prohibit summary judgment for [the County Clerk].” However, Guerrero’s complaint

       reflects unsupported conclusions of law that the County Clerk illegally refused to print his name

       on the ballot and violated his constitutional rights in doing so. These allegations are nothing like

       Dempsey, where the defendant allegedly provided false information to the voters via a robocall,

       with the intent to suppress the vote. See Dempsey, 2016 IL App (1st) 153377, ¶ 6. Although we

       have held that the County Clerk’s interpretation of the Code was incorrect, this does not equate

       to willful and wanton conduct. Ultimately, Guerrero points to no persuasive basis in the record to



                                                        26
       preclude judgment in the County Clerk’s favor on count III. Thus, having reviewed the entirety

       of the record, we cannot say that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in the

       County Clerk’s favor on count III.

¶ 67                                          III. CONCLUSION

¶ 68          For the reasons stated, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Will County.

¶ 69          Affirmed.




                                                      27
                    Guerrero v. Parker, 2026 IL App (3d) 250284


Decision Under Review:    Appeal from the Circuit Court of Will County, No. 25-MR-73;
                          the Hon. Victoria R. Breslan and the Hon. Brian E. Barrett,
                          Judges, presiding.


Attorneys                 James W. Glasgow, State’s Attorney, of Joliet (Scott Pyles and
for                       Erika M. Hamer, Assistant State’s Attorneys, of counsel), for
Appellant:                appellant.


Attorneys                 Burton S. Odelson and Jayman A. Avery III, of Odelson,
for                       Murphey, Frazier & McGrath, Ltd., of Evergreen Park, for
Appellee:                 appellee.




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