The Illinois State Board of Elections has dismissed a complaint filed by a Lake Forest resident regarding the operations of a local group focused on government issues.
The board voted unanimously April 17 to reject a complaint filed earlier this year by local resident Joe Weiss against Lake Forest for Transparency (LF4T). Weiss alleged the group failed to organize as a political committee despite engaging in political activities and did not file the required financial reports with the state.
However, an ISBE hearing officer concluded the complaint was not filed on justifiable grounds, finding Weiss did not present sufficient evidence to support his claims. ISBE General Counsel Marni Malowitz agreed with that determination and recommended the board dismiss the complaint.
John Trkla, a co-founder of LF4T, called Weiss’s complaint “frivolous” and said the outcome was expected.
“It was a stunt to try to sway voters,” Trkla said. “He boldly accused us of doing a lot of things we have not done. We knew it was going to come out this way.”
Lake Forest for Transparency was created in 2023 as what it describes as an “educational advocacy” group and has frequently criticized the Lake Forest Caucus for its practices.
Weiss said he was disappointed with the board’s decision.
“They may be following the law, but they are not doing what is right,” he said. “They are hiding behind this nonprofit status so they do not have to disclose their finances. That puts the Caucus at a disadvantage.”
Weiss said he filed the complaint independently of the Lake Forest Caucus. However, he has since been appointed to the Caucus Committee, which plays a significant role in the organization’s operations.
Weiss said he does not plan to pursue the matter further.
Lake Forest Caucus President Scott Nehls said the organization does not intend to take action.
“We have no interest in taking up the torch on that,” he said.
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Trkla said LF4T will continue operating as it has since its founding.
“This town needs to know what its local government is up to,” he said.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.