Terranova resigns as Schaumburg Township Democratic committeeman

Schaumburg Township Democratic Committeeman Rocco Terranova announced his resignation from his post Friday, citing increased pressures from his professional job.

He is succeeded by Michael Cudzik, with whom he has worked at Schaumburg Township’s Democratic organization for the past five years.

“He’s got the support of the board and he’s got the support of me,” Terranova said of Cudzik. “I think he’ll do a good job.”

Terranova, who has been committeeman for about 13 years, said he didn’t feel it was fair for him to continue given the increased work he’s facing at his job as president and business manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 73.

“I just felt it wasn’t fair to my board to not be at a lot of things,” Terranova said.

He will remain on the board and an active member of the organization, but said he’ll miss the responsibilities of committeeman.

Terranova said he feels his legacy is a successful one, leaving the township fully represented by Democratic legislators and the organization with some money in the bank.

“I’m leaving it better than I found it,” he said of the committeeman job.

Terranova also claimed success in working well with Republican leaders and officials in the township.

Cudzik, a 40-year-old electrician from Hoffman Estates, had high praise for his predecessor.

“It’s certainly been a pleasure working with Rocco,” Cudzik said. “He’s been a strong, strong leader for the Schaumburg Township area and a mentor to me.”

While the basic job of committeeman is to support Democratic candidates in elections, Cudzik said he shared Terranova’s goal of working well with all local officials for the betterment of every constituent, rich or poor.

“All elected officials work for the people who elected them,” Cudzik said.