Leaders in East Dundee are returning money to sponsors after an Oktoberfest event that didn’t sit right with some.
Village President Dan Pearson was the subject of criticism from East Dundee residents, even some village board members, for his behavior at last month’s Oktoberfest event, where he invited Darren Bailey, running for Illinois Governor, and fellow Republican, 8th District Congressional Candidate Jennifer Davis, on stage to speak to the crowd. Days later, village board members unanimously censured Pearson for “the appearance of preferential treatment of particular candidates.”
He was also taken to task for comments on social media and to women taking part in the festival’s stein-holding contest.
Now, businesses who sponsored the event are getting their money back: over 5 thousand dollars to 12 different sponsors.
Board members in favor of the refunds called it a reasonable thing to do given Pearson’s behavior, while others argued the move sets a bad precedent.
