Court Dismisses Aquino Appeal, Clearing Path for Ortiz in 3rd District Party Post (Cook County, IL) – A Cook County Circuit Court judge on Wednesday dismissed an appeal filed by incumbent Omar Aquino, leaving Kirk J. Ortiz as the unopposed candidate for Democratic State Central Committeeman in Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District.
The ruling upholds a previous decision by the Illinois State Board of Elections that removed Aquino from the ballot. Aquino had appealed that determination, but the court granted motions to dismiss filed by Ortiz and the Illinois Attorney General’s office.
In its decision, the court found that Aquino failed to properly serve the State Board of Elections as required under the Illinois Election Code, a procedural error that proved fatal to the appeal. With the case dismissed in its entirety, the elections board’s ruling remains in effect.
As a result, Ortiz will assume the position without opposition.
“This decision reinforces a fundamental principle: election laws exist to protect voters and the integrity of our democratic process,” Ortiz said in a statement. “The courts upheld that responsibility.”
Ortiz said the challenge was rooted in election law compliance rather than partisan considerations.
“This was about accountability and following the law,” he said. “When legal requirements are not met, the system must respond, and it did.”
Ortiz is set to serve as Democratic State Central Committeeman for the 3rd Congressional District, where he said he plans to focus on party unity, transparency and grassroots engagement. His stated priorities include what he describes as taking communities back, addressing public safety and strengthening local involvement in the Democratic Party.
More information about Ortiz and his positions can be found at friendsofkirk.com.
Court Dismisses Aquino Appeal, Clearing Path for Ortiz in 3rd District Party Post
