Title
Resolution creating an Ad Hoc Chairman’s Advisory Committee for the District 14 County Board Vacancy.
Staff Summary
• The passing of Lake County Board Member Audrey Nixon, has created a vacancy in the District 14 seat.
• Similar to the process of other recent vacancies, Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor has chosen to create an Ad Hoc Chairman’s Advisory Committee to assist him in the selection of an appointment to the vacant seat.
• The Ad Hoc Committee will consist of the following: Lake County Board Member Mary Ross Cunningham (Chair), Lake County Board Vice Chairman Carol Calabresa (Member), Lake County Board Member Sandy Hart (Member), Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court Erin Cartwright Weinstein (Member), Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor (Member), and Chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party (or designee) Illinois State Senator Terry Link (Member).
• The Chairman’s Advisory Committee for the District 14 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 14.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the passing of District 14 County Board Member Audrey Nixon on April 27, 2017 requires Chairman Lawlor to declare a vacancy for the office of the County Board Member - District 14; and
WHEREAS, under Illinois state statue, Chairman Lawlor is responsible filling the vacancy through appointment with the consent and vote of the County Board; and
WHEREAS, state law and the County’s Board Rules of Order and Operational Procedures provide broad flexibility to Chairman Lawlor in organizing the process by which to recommend an appointment to the vacancy; and
WHEREAS, Chairman Lawlor has outlined a comprehensive, transparent, fair, and professional process that is inclusive of the opinions of current County Board members, other elected officials, District 14 residents, Democratic Party officials, and others; and
WHEREAS, during the appointment process, Chairman Lawlor may find it advantageous to engage a group of county board members, Democratic Party officials, and/or others to assist him in his responsibilities, if he deems necessary; and
WHEREAS, the Chairman’s Advisory Committee for the District 14 County Board Vacancy shall be created as an ad hoc committee of the Lake County Board to assist Chairman Lawlor in his 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 14; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office has recommended that the County Board formally create such a committee and approve appointments of qualified individuals to serve on the committee, as nominated by Chairman Lawlor.
WHEREAS, the State’s Attorney’s Office further 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 Chairman’s Advisory Committee for the District 14 County Board Vacancy be created for the purpose of assisting Chairman Lawlor in his duties, if needed, and appointing the following individuals as members of the committee:
Ad Hoc Committee Chair
Mary Ross Cunningham, Lake County Board Member
Ad Hoc Committee Members
Carol Calabresa, Vice Chair of the Lake County Board
Erin Cartwright Weinstein, Clerk of the Circuit Court
Sandy Hart, Lake County Board Member
Aaron Lawlor, Chairman of the Lake County Board
Senator Terry Link, Chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party or designee
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chairman’s Advisory Committee for the District 14 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 14.
Dated, this 9th day of May, 2017.