Must Darien Candidate File With State?

DARIEN, IL — Darien City Council candidate John Laratta recently started advertising his candidacy.

His ads on Darien Patch say they are "Paid for by John Laratta for 5th Ward Alderman." That implies the formation of a committee.

One reader wondered why the committee has yet to file documents with the state Board of Elections.

Under state law, candidates only have to file with the board when they raise or spend $5,000 in a year. It is unclear whether Laratta has reached that threshold.

Patch has left a phone message for comment with Laratta.

During his campaign, Laratta has focused his attention on his 2019 encounter with Darien police in which he contends he was a victim of brutality. The police department has said Laratta's brutality complaint was unfounded.

On his campaign website, Laratta is critical of city government, but hardly mentions the police department other than general comments about police brutality and officers' pensions.

Laratta is running against Ward 5 Alderwoman Mary Sullivan in the April 6 election.