HUNTLEY – A challenger for Grafton Township assessor found himself fending off questions from voters about his campaign and township residency weeks before his candidacy was even made official.

Residents began to question challenger Al Zielinski of Lakewood after he was spotted with embattled Supervisor Linda Moore at one of his campaign benefits in late October.

Commentators on Huntley’s community blog – Huntley Neighbors – immediately questioned Zielinski’s 2012 property tax bill that showed he had taken a $6,000 homestead exemption on a home in Lake Barrington in Lake County.