West Cook News

River Forest School Board members are being called on to denounce a harassment campaign that led to a District 90 candidate pulling the plug on his candidacy.

The group Citizens for River Forest has launched a Change.org petition that seeks the support of all seven River Forest board members on behalf of one-time candidate Scott Hall.

“We as citizens and voters of River Forest request that you, individually and collectively, publicly denounce candidate intimidation and abhorrent behavior targeting a fellow citizen,” the petition states. “This is not the first time we’ve seen this conduct, but we are hoping this will be the last. Your strong voices are needed now to amplify the necessity for free and fair elections devoid of intimidation of any kind.”

Hall said the tipping point for him came when the abuse began to extend beyond just him to include family and friends.

“While I set out with great purpose and noble intent, I, my family, my friends and even local businesses with which I associate have been repeatedly threatened, harassed and disparaged,” he posted on Facebook. “I can continue to subject myself, my family and friends to this harassment.”

A managing director at an investment bank, Hall said he was hopeful that his career of “evidence-based thinking” could serve the board well at this critical juncture.

“These skills will allow me to make fiscally responsible yet empathetic decisions at the board table,” he posted on his website early on in his candidacy. “I think that there is a need for this type of perspective more now than ever.”

Residing in River Forest for the last six years with his wife and two young daughters, Hall vows to remain active in the community.

“I take great solace in the fact that our efforts likely assisted in the return of our students to the classroom and have elevated the discussion about the state of our finances and the pursuit of excellence in our schools,” he added on Facebook.