Des Plaines outlines succession plan following alderman's death

Des Plaines leaders Wednesday outlined the succession plan following the unexpected death of 29-year-old Alderman Joanna Sojka.

Mayor Matt Bogusz will make an appointment of someone from the ward to fill Sojka's 7th Ward seat. Because Sojka was a little more than a year into her 4-year term, the seat then will be up for election next April, according to City Manager Mike Bartholomew.

"There's a clear-cut process we have to do when this happens," he said. "The administration and attorneys have laid out a clear line of succession."

Sojka, a freshman alderman elected in April 2013, died late Monday from an apparent stroke, city officials said Tuesday.

Bartholomew said an announcement on a successor isn't expected until next month.

Whoever Bogusz decides to appoint can choose to run for election in April. The winner of the election would serve out the remaining time on the term.

Aldermanic seats in the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th wards will also be up for election next year.