McHenry Co. Board member Provenzano resigns to work full time for Hultgren

McHenry County Board member Nick Provenzano is stepping down from his District 3 seat to accept a full-time position with U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren.

Provenzano, a McHenry Republican, has been promoted from his part-time position as a senior field representative for the 14th Congressional District to deputy district director for McHenry, Lake and DeKalb counties, according to a news release from Hultgren's office.

The new opportunity, Provenzano said, will allow him to serve the public in a greater capacity.

"I made this transition with a degree of sadness, however, as it has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the residents of McHenry County and, specifically, District 3," he said.

A longtime McHenry County resident, Provenzano has served on the county board for more than a decade. During that time, he said, he pushed to save taxpayers' money, be more transparent, implement ethics ordinances and improve transportation issues throughout the county.

McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Sandra Salgado offered praise for Provenzano. "He's what we would consider a mover and shaker on many of the policies that have been enacted here over the last decade or more," she said.

County Republicans are now searching for a candidate to fill Provenzano's spot on the ballot for the Nov. 8 election. Once he officially drops out of the race, Salgado said, the party will have three days to submit a replacement to the county clerk's office.

Provenzano's resignation is "a surprise," Salgado said. "Coming this close to the general election puts a little bit of pressure on us to find a good candidate that mirrors what Nick's values were."

Finding a replacement candidate is up to the precinct committeemen for District 3, Salgado said, noting a caucus is expected to be held next week. That candidate, as well as Republican incumbent Michael Walkup, will face Kenneth Miller and Diane Johnson, both Crystal Lake Democrats, for the two open District 3 seats.

Though declining to provide names, Salgado said two precinct committeemen have already expressed interest in running.

Additionally, she said, she is working closely with County Board Chairman Joe Gottemoller, who will be tasked with appointing someone to fill the open board seat until the end of the term.

"I wish Nick the very best," Gottemoller said. "He's one of the brightest guys on the board. ... He will be missed."