Lake County Board honors Schmidt as she prepares for Senate

Suzi Schmidt's final meeting as chairwoman of the Lake County Board came, not surprisingly, with a fair amount of tears.

Schmidt, elected earlier this month to the state Senate, was honored by the panel she's led for 10 years on Tuesday with a resolution detailing her accomplishments on the board.

County Clerk Willard Helander read the one-page document into the record as Schmidt stood at a podium with David Stolman, the board's vice chairman.

Stolman was among the board members who praised Schmidt and wished her well Tuesday.

“From my heart to you you're a class act,” Stolman, a Buffalo Grove Republican, said before giving Schmidt a polite kiss.

Schmidt, a Lake Villa Republican, has served as the county's District 3 representative since 1988. In 2000, she became the first woman selected to lead the panel, and served an unprecedented five terms as chairwoman.

On Nov. 2, Schmidt won election to the state Senate by defeating incumbent Democrat Michael Bond of Grayslake.

Tuesday's gathering was emotional for Schmidt. Before the meeting began, someone congratulated her on the Election Day win. She was silent and then cried softly.

“I'd rather be here,” she finally whispered, referring to the county boardroom.

A standing ovation followed Helander's reading of the resolution. Then came comments from many of Schmidt's peers on the board, Republicans and Democrats alike.

Ingleside Republican Bonnie Thomson Carter praised Schmidt for consistently being a voice for Lake County.

“And that's exactly what you're going to do in Springfield,” Carter said.

Highland Park Democrat Anne Flanigan Bassi complimented Schmidt on her leadership style and the tone she set for the rest of the board. Bassi also credited Schmidt for working in a bipartisan manner.

Waukegan Democrat Angelo Kyle expressed similar feelings.

“The attribute that always sticks out in my mind is that she's always been fair,” Kyle said.

Schmidt said she intends to represent Lake County's interests while in Springfield and promised to help the board in any way possible.

“Leaving this is not easy,” she said. “You guys are the best.”

The county board will select a new chairman from its members Dec. 6. Schmidt, who formally joins the Senate in January, said she expects to leave the board after its meeting that month.

After she resigns, the panel will appoint someone to represent the 3rd District until 2012.

Also Tuesday, the board honored outgoing member Colin O'Rourke with a separate resolution. O'Rourke, a Waukegan Democrat, was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2009 and opted not to seek election this year. He will be replaced by Waukegan Democrat Bill Durkin, who won election in the 8th District Nov. 2.

Honors: Panel will appoint new 3rd District representative