Eight candidates, so far, seek vacant DuPage County Board seat

Eight candidates already have applied to fill John Curran's former seat on the DuPage County Board, according to the person responsible for nominating someone for the post.

County board Chairman Dan Cronin said he'll accept applications for another two weeks for the District 3 board seat that's been vacant since Curran resigned July 25. Curran, who served as the county board's vice chairman, stepped down because he was appointed to the state Senate seat last held by Christine Radogno.

District 3 includes all or parts of Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Lemont, Naperville, Westmont, Willowbrook and Woodridge.

Anyone interested in serving the remainder of Curran's term, which expires Nov. 30, 2018, must live in the district. They also need to be a Republican because that's the political party Curran belongs to.

Cronin said applicants have until 5 p.m. Aug. 18 to email him at dan.cronin@dupageco.org with a resume and letter, not exceeding 300 words, outlining their interest.

In the meantime, Cronin says he's impressed with the quality of the eight candidates who have applied so far.

"We've got talented people," he said. "It's going to be hard to pick."

Cronin said he's planning to announce his pick on Sept. 12. The county board is expected to take a vote on the appointment on that day.

The chairman says he wants to pick someone who can "hit the ground running."

"We're looking for somebody that's smart, tough and can contribute," he said.

Cronin also said the individual should support the county's efforts to improve local government. "Our brand is accountability, consolidation, transparency," he said.

Unlike previous county board appointments, Cronin says he won't have finalists attend a forum to make a public pitch for why they should represent District 3.

Instead, he's going to interview each finalist privately.

The appointee will need to seek election next year if he or she wants to keep the seat beyond November 2018.

While Cronin is planning to fill the empty county board seat next month, it's unclear when he will nominate a new vice chairman.

"I'm not in a hurry," he said, adding he's waiting for a county board member to emerge for that role.