Why Dems have little to say about Kane Co. Board vacancy
Local Democrats indicated Tuesday they are happy to bow to the wishes of Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen and departing member Ron Ford when picking a replacement for Ford's Aurora-based seat.
Ford announced his resignation from the county board on May 12, to be effective May 22. A 60-day clock began ticking from that date to fill the vacancy. The law requires Lauzen to bring an appointee forward to the full county board for final confirmation. The appointee must be from the same political party as the person resigning the seat. Ford is a Democrat. Lauzen and the majority of the county board are Republicans.
That could make for a hostile appointment process. Lauzen and the board just concluded the process to fill another Democratic vacancy on the board earlier this year following the death of Jesse Vazquez.
At the time, Aurora Democrats said it would be a slap in the face if Lauzen didn't follow their choice of Vazquez's widow, Maria.
Lauzen did go along with the party's selection after he had a chance to sit down with Maria Vazquez for a policy and board conduct discussion.
This time around, the process seems to be devoid of even a hint of partisan angst. Democratic Party members interviewed Tuesday said they would let Ford take the lead promoting his own choice for a successor.
Kane County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Guethle said he's only aware of one person, whom he would not name, with an interest in the position.
"I told the person they need to call (Lauzen) and submit a resume," Guethle said. "He'll make the decision."
Ford said Tuesday he has not spoken with Lauzen since the May 26 committee of the whole meeting.
Ford also said he mentioned "a couple" prospective candidates to Lauzen at that time.
Ford declined to make the identities of those candidates public before the process is set for naming his successor.
While Lauzen "thinks the world" of Ford, he said, his won't be the only opinion he'll consider when filling the seat.
Like the Vazquez appointment, Lauzen said he has his own team of advisers to vet any potential candidates, but the decision will ultimately be his with the consent of the full board. Lauzen said there have been multiple applications.
"It's a really impressive group already," Lauzen said. "It ensures the next person will be highly qualified."
Lauzen expects to name Ford's successor at the July 14 meeting of the full county board.