Petition filed against Mell for potential glitch

Impeached ex-Gov. Blagojevich’s lone defender in the Illinois House may herself wind up being booted from office because of a potential glitch with her nominating petitions.

A challenge was filed Monday with the State Board of Elections against Rep. Deborah Mell (D-Chicago) by a rival in the Feb. 2 primary, Joe Laiacona.

The basis for his objection is that Mell is not registered to vote at the address she listed as her primary residence, as Illinois election law requires, said election lawyer Richard Means, who represents Laiacona.

“This is a very common amateur mistake. But one would think as a sitting state legislator, she isn’t an amateur,” Means said.

Mell expressed optimism the petition challenge will fail.

“I’m fully confident I’m going to be on the ballot in February,” she said. “Just because someone challenges petitions and says stuff doesn't mean it's true.”

Mell is Blagojevich’s sister-in-law and daughter of Ald. Richard Mell (33rd). She was the lone House member in January to vote against Blagojevich’s impeachment.

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners could take up the objection before Thanksgiving, Means said.