By Illinois Review
As Homer Glen prepares for the February 25th Republican Primary, local Democrats and establishment Republicans appear to be working together to undermine a conservative slate – an unprecedented alliance that threatens to derail years of principled leadership in this conservative stronghold.
The Homer Township Democrats recently shared a Facebook post by Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike, encouraging residents to request Republican ballots to participate in the primary. The message specifically highlighted the presence of two Republican slates and implied that voting against the conservative slate – led by Steve Balich – is a priority.
Mayor Neitzke-Troike has also come under fire for her handling of this contentious election. Following a heated exchange between supporters of the two slates on her Facebook page, the mayor decided to turn off comments entirely, citing negativity and trolling as her reasoning. In her post, Neitzke-Troike stated,
“I’ve tried to have an open page for all to see and have honest discussions on, but unfortunately, it is being trolled by a small handful of folks who can’t seem to grasp what a Mayor does and how community works. I will be turning off all comments as it is quite embarrassing to our community.”
However, this decision raises serious ethical and legal questions. As an elected official, Neitzke-Troike has a duty to provide transparency and facilitate open dialogue with her constituents. By silencing public discussion and turning off comments on her official page, she may be infringing on her constituents’ rights to engage with their elected representative.
Legal experts have pointed out that her actions could potentially violate the First Amendment, which protects free speech, as well as Illinois state law. Specifically, the Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA) requires that public officials conduct their duties in a transparent and accountable manner. While the OMA primarily applies to formal meetings, it underscores the principle that elected officials must not obstruct public participation or suppress communication with their constituents.
Furthermore, there are growing concerns that her decision to hide or disable comments may constitute a violation of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, which mandates that public officials avoid conduct that diminishes public confidence in the integrity of government.
Critics argue that an elected official using social media to communicate with the public has an obligation to allow citizens to voice their opinions and concerns. Shutting down comments on public platforms undermines the trust between officials and residents, especially during a critical election season.
Homer Glen is one of only two townships in Illinois with a primary for the consolidated election.
