HOI News is reporting that General Parker, candidate for mayor of Peoria, has a criminal past that includes two felony convictions. According to state law, convicted felons cannot hold the office of mayor.

But there’s a catch. Evidently, the only way this is enforced is if someone contests Parker’s candidacy.

The State Board of Elections said it is not illegal for a felon to run for office, in fact they can even win and serve.

Only when someone formally objects to the state’s attorney is it investigated.

Parker is trying to get a pardon from Governor Quinn. Parker is the only candidate running against incumbent Mayor Jim Ardis.

UPDATE: The Journal Star has an article up about this now. It’s not looking good for Parker’s mayoral run.

I honestly didn’t know that he had been convicted of a felony. It was mentioned on my blog several days ago that a convicted felon couldn’t serve as mayor, but I didn’t think anything of it because I thought Parker’s offenses were misdemeanors. Guess I missed the boat on that one.

Just out of curiosity, I wonder what the rationale is for barring felons from being mayor. Obviously, if they’re in prison or on parole that would make sense. But what if they already served all their time and had paid their debt to society? Why should it be the unpardonable sin?