MARKHAM, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The mayor of south suburban Markham plans to go to the Illinois Supreme Court to fight to stay in office, even though he won his last election with more than 80 percent of the vote.
Markham Mayor Roger Agpawa was re-elected with 81 percent of the vote earlier this month; but, a state appeals court has ruled he is ineligible to serve in office, because he was convicted in 1999 of a federal mail fraud charge.
Agpawa said it’s a matter of restorative justice to let him continue to serve the people of Markham.
“It’s a matter of restorative rights; restorative justice; citizenship – and somebody that does anything, if Markham is speaking loud about it, they have a second chance to do it and lead by example, as I have,” Agpawa said.
According to CBS 2, the Appellate Court handed down a 2-1 decision ruling against Agpawa’s eligibility to hold office.
“Roger Agpawa, having been convicted of the infamous crime of mail fraud in 1999, was not a duly qualified candidate for any statutorily created municipal office in Illinois, including the office of Mayor of the City of Markham, and is, therefore, ineligible to hold or to take the oath of office as Mayor of the City of Markham,” the appeals court ruling states.
Former Governor Bruce Rauner had stepped in on Agpawa’s behalf four years ago, and Agpawa took office.
Now, Agpawa said he’ll appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court, as well as look for help from Governor JB Pritzker and President Joe Biden.
In the meantime, he wants the Cook County Clerk to certify his win by Tuesday. He served his first term as his case was winding its way through the courts.
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