Title
Resolution creating an Ad Hoc Chair’s Advisory Committee for the District 9 County Board Vacancy.
Staff Summary
• The untimely passing of Vice-Chair Dr. Mary Ross-Cunningham has created a vacancy in the District 9 seat.
• In accordance with Lake County’s Rules of Order and Operational Procedures, Appendix A, a Vacant District Seat Ad Hoc Advisory Committee shall be formed to assist the County Board Chair in the statutory obligations of filling a County Board vacancy.
• The Ad Hoc Committee will consist of the following: Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart (Chair), Lake County Board Member Diane Hewitt, Lake County Board Member Angelo Kyle, Lake County Board Member Gina Roberts, Lake County Board Member Paul Frank, and Chair of the Lake County Democrats, Daniel Didech.
• The Chair’s Advisory Committee for the District 9 County Board Vacancy shall be disbanded and defunct following an affirmative vote by the County Board on the appointment of a County Board Member for District 9.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the untimely passing of District 9 County Board Member and Vice-Chair of the Lake County Board, Dr. Mary Ross-Cunningham on June 23, 2026, requires Chair Hart to declare a vacancy for the office of the County Board Member for District 9; and
WHEREAS, under Illinois state statue, Chair Hart is responsible for filling the vacancy through appointment with the consent and vote of the County Board; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Lake County’s Rules of Order and Operational Procedures, Appendix A, a vacant district seat Ad Hoc Advisory Committee shall be formed to assist the County Board Chair in the statutory obligations of filling a County Board vacancy; and
WHEREAS, the Chair’s Advisory Committee for the District 9 County Board vacancy shall be created as an Ad Hoc Committee of the Lake County Board to assist Chair Hart in her statutory responsibilities and perform duties delegated which may include but are not limited to reviewing applications, conducting interviews, checking references, and providing feedback on their assessment of the candidates’ ability to serve as an effective County Board Member for District 9; and
WHEREAS, the State’s Attorney’s Office states that the Ad Hoc Committee must comply with the Illinois Open Meetings Act by holding its meeting at a public location, in accordance with posting standards, and that each meeting agenda include an item providing for a closed session discussion related to personnel matters pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chair’s Advisory Committee for the District 9 County Board Vacancy is hereby created for the sole purpose of assisting Chair Hart in filling the vacancy of District 9 and appoints the following individuals as members of the committee:
Ad Hoc Committee Chair
Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart
Ad Hoc Committee Vice-Chair
Lake County Board Member Gina Roberts
Ad Hoc Committee Members
Lake County Board Member Diane Hewitt
Lake County Board Member Angelo Kyle
Lake County Board Member Paul Frank
Chair of the Lake County Democrats, Daniel Didech
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chair’s Advisory Committee for the District 9 County Board Vacancy shall be disbanded and defunct following an affirmative vote by the County Board on the appointment of a County Board Member for District 9.
DATED, at Waukegan, Illinois, on July 14, 2026.