Michael Nolan addresses election petition challenge, transparency concerns in Rockton Township

Michael Nolan, who was the Republican nominee for Rockton Township Supervisor, responded to concerns about the township being billed for legal expenses from his candidate petition challenges in December 2024. In an interview with Rockton-Roscoe News, Nolan defended his challenges to the nomination filings, his stance on election integrity, and his broader vision for transparency and fiscal accountability in local government.

Since this interview, Nolan has withdrawn his candidacy for Township Supervisor, leaving Randall Johnson unopposed for the office. The editor of Rockton-Roscoe News remains friends with both Nolan and Johnson. Michael Nolan remains chair of the Rockton Township Republican Central Committee as well as the leader of Gatekeepers, his organization whose stated mission is to "re-engage the Church with community, by filling local public office seats with Christians."

Candidate petition challenges: “Rules exist for fairness.”

Nolan objected to Randall Johnson's running as an independent for Township Supervisor, because Johnson had previously voted Republican. Likewise, he objected to Vicky Ivy's candidacy, because she had previously voted Democrat. Nolan also challenged the nomination of Ricarda Gomes because she didn't write the office she was running for on the front page of her candidacy form. 

When asked about his decision to challenge the Rockton candidates’ nomination papers, Nolan said the issue comes down to accountability.

“Details matter,” Nolan stated. “When someone submits paperwork for public office, it’s their first test of responsibility. If they can’t follow basic election procedures, how can voters trust them to manage budgets or critical services?”

He pointed to past cases where minor technical errors disqualified candidates. “Take Rockford’s Republican mayor [candidate] —his candidacy papers were invalidated over incorrectly binding (stapling) them and a cross-off. Rules exist to ensure fairness.”

Addressing criticism over participation barriers

Some have argued that strict adherence to technical filing rules discourages people from running for office. Nolan pushed back on that idea.

“It discourages sloppy participation,” he said. “Running for office isn’t a casual decision—it’s a commitment to diligence. If you want to lead, prove you respect the system from day one.”

Nolan also raised concerns about what he called a “direct conflict of interest” on the electoral board who eventually rejected his challenge. “A paid staffer sat on the board deciding the outcome of these objections. That’s not fair.” Township attorney Doug Henry says the chief judge of Winnebago County's 17th Judicial Circuit Court approved the arrangements.

The paid staffer was deputy township clerk Kristina Schaffer. By law, ordinarily the electoral board would have included trustee Randall Johnson, one of the very candidates that Nolan was challenging, and Township Clerk Judith Gurney, the mother of Ricarda Gomes, another candidate he challenged. So Schaffer was appointed to vote on Johnson's case (instead of Johnson himself) and on Gomes' case (instead of Gurney).

Should taxpayers pay for these legal expenses?

Rockton Township was billed more than $6,800 for legal fees related to the hearing process and some people have blamed Nolan for creating that expense by filing his challenges. But Nolan questioned whether this was an appropriate use of public funds. “Attorneys aren’t required for these hearings,” he said. “Candidates are responsible for their own defense, and taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for these costs.”

In response, Nolan's former opponent Randall Johnson replied, "All election rules were followed as required. I agree with Mike - he should reimburse the
Township for his contacts with the Township Attorney." Similar expensive challenges took place in Roscoe Township and the Hononegah school district.

Rockton Township Supervisor Paul Williams asked attorney Doug Henry of Barrick, Switzer, Long, Balsley & Van Evera to assist with the hearing. Henry told us the Illinois Election Code contains strict rules that an electoral board is required to follow and "in my experience an electoral board, as a public body, always engages an attorney to assist in the preparation for the electoral board hearing and to advise them on the law." He says a court recorder is also required. Henry adds, "I would also say that making a challenger or candidate responsible for the electoral board’s legal fees could chill either the challenger from filing a challenge or a candidate from filing petitions for candidacy."

John Guevara, chairman of the Roscoe Township Republican Central Committee who challenged their own opponents in Roscoe Township, says a township electoral board is like a court, where legal expertise isn't free but people shouldn't be charged to hear their cases. However, Nolan reportedly wasn't the only northern Winnebago County candidate who consulted with Barrick Switzer attorneys, who later billed the township.

Nolan also questioned how and why the township was billed. A FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request showed that during the regular December meeting of the Township, Township attorney Doug Henry presented a bill for $3,204.50 for legal services rendered for the electoral board meeting. Henry gave Township Supervisor Paul Williams a second invoice at the January 2025 meeting, for an additional $3,631.65, both bills totaling $6,836.15.

Henry's itemized charges covered phone calls and emails, the assembly of the Electoral Board hearing books, preparation for the hearings which included rules of procedure for the Electoral Board, and legal research memorandums. The charges also included correspondence with the Circuit Court's Chief Judge's Administrative Assistant and hiring a court reporter for the proceedings. 

Nolan said, “If public money was used to cover legal fees for these hearings—whether for defending candidates or other legal matters—there should be official documentation and proper approval,” adding, “Any such expenditure typically requires a Township Board vote unless it was previously budgeted.”

Nolan further questioned whether the process was conducted transparently. “These expenditures were never openly discussed in a public meeting [before the hearing], which raises serious concerns about a potential Open Meetings Act violation,” he said.

Increasing transparency in Rockton Township elections

Nolan made transparency a central theme of his campaign, particularly regarding election procedures. “We need workshops for candidates and voters, simplified guides, and open forums to explain how local elections work. Transparency starts with demystifying the process.”

Looking back, would he handle things differently? “No,” Nolan said firmly. “Leadership means addressing problems, even when it’s uncomfortable. I published an op-ed explaining my stance because voters deserve honesty. If we ignore rule-breaking, we’re complicit in eroding trust.”

About why he challenged his opponent's eligibility, he insists, “My goal wasn’t to eliminate competition—it was to ensure everyone plays by the same rules. I want to work with people who can follow the rules.”

Final message to Rockton voters

Though Nolan has dropped out of the race, four trustee candidates remain on the ballot as Republicans: Gene Hermann, Constance Gleasman, Michael Lindt, and Clifford Jensen. Nolan framed the election as a choice about accountability and governance.

“This election is about a lot — transparency, accountability, and a common-sense approach to building a strong community,” he said. “A community that isn’t afraid to stand up for faith, freedom, and liberty. A community that invests in families and youth, opening education opportunities that align with the values of Rockton Township residents.” He called for a township website to be created with easy access to budgets, projects, and meeting minutes.

Randall Johnson says, "The current township board has always been an open book to members of our community, continually updating the community on all actions taken by the board, monthly updates of ongoing projects like the community center and cemetery.... The Township already has a web presence." Rockton Township does post agendas on their Facebook page. But when reminded that the Township website stopped working a few years ago, Johnson replied, "The site is being revamped and will be available in the near future." In the meantime, Rockton-Roscoe News created a Rockton Township information page in September 2021, when we noticed the website had disappeared.