GREENE: White Hall installs new alderman
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White Hall resident Todd Pinkerton-Riegel stands with his hand raised to take what he believed to be the Oath of Office to be the next White Hall City Council member for Ward II, replacing Alderman Rick Cox, who moved out of his ward a couple months ago. The Oath Pinkerton-Riegel was actually given was the Loyalty Oath, an oath for candidates seeking a seat on a board or other office, not Oath of Office. (Carmen Ensinger/Greene Prairie Press)
By Carmen Ensinger
White Hall City Council finally replaced Alderman Rick Cox who had to submit his resignation recently after moving out of his ward.
Replacing Cox as Ward II Alderman is Todd Pinkerton-Riegel. However, Pinkerton-Riegel might just need to be re-sworn next month as the Oath of Office he was given had everyone in attendance looking on in disbelief at the wording.
Audience members and council members alike looked bewildered as City Clerk Bill Dunlap read the Oath of Office, which Pinkerton-Riegel then repeated.
Here is the oath, in its entirety:
“I, Todd Pinkerton-Riegel do swear or affirm that I am a citizen of the United States and the State of Illinois and I am not affiliated directly or indirectly with any communist organization or any communist front organization, or any foreign political agency, party, organization or government which advocates the overthrow of constitutional government by force or other means not permitted under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of this state. That I do not directly or indirectly teach or advocate the overthrow of government of the United States or this state or any unlawful change in the form of the government therefore by force or any unlawful means.”
Neither Dunlap nor Mayor Brad Staats knew where this Oath of Office came from, though both said it was found in the city handbook.
After an internet search of the wording, it was found to be the Loyalty Oath, an optional oath given to candidates seeking a seat on school boards or other offices.
When an individual is elected to office, they typically swear or affirm that they will support, uphold or impartially discharge the duties of the office they are being elected to the best of their ability. The Loyalty Oath lacks this wording.
The Oath or Affirmation of Office which Pinkerton-Riegel should have been given reads:
“I do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Alderman of White Hall to the best of my ability.”
It remains to be seen whether or not Pinkerton-Riegel will be given the correct oath at next month’s meeting or not.
