Democrats shut out of Lake County leadership posts
Despite gaining political strength in last month's election, Democrats on Monday were shut out of the top leadership posts on the Lake County Board and Lake County Forest Preserve District board.
The panels, which consist of the same 23 members, met in separate sessions to choose their chiefs and seconds-in-command for the next two years. Republicans won all four posts, two of which had been contested by Democrats. It's the first time Democrats went home empty-handed since 2004.
The votes came after Democrats seized four additional seats on the two boards, narrowing the GOP's majority to 13-10. Five Democrats were among the six board newcomers sworn in before the leadership votes.
Newly elected Democrat Michelle Feldman of Deerfield had no ill-will toward the Republican majority over how the votes came down.
"I think we had great people who were elected today," she said. "I can't worry about (partisan politics). I've got bigger things to worry about."
In Monday's first meeting, Lake Villa Republican Suzi Schmidt was unanimously selected to a record fifth term as the county board's chairwoman. She ran unopposed.
The panel then chose a new vice chairman: Buffalo Grove Republican David Stolman. He edged out North Chicago Democrat Audrey Nixon in a 13-10 vote that reflected the partisan divide.
Stolman replaces Lake Zurich Republican Michael Talbett as vice chairman.
Schmidt isn't concerned about political reprisals from the Democrats or partisanship interfering with the business of the board, which rarely has decided matters along party lines.
"I've spoken to a number of (Democrats), and they've said 'We will work with you no matter what,'" Schmidt said.
In the next meeting, the forest board chose Ingleside Republican Bonnie Thomson Carter to be its president for another two years.
Carter, who's been president since 2002, was the only candidate but she did not win unanimously. Waukegan Democrat Bob Sabonjian cast a lone "no" vote.
Libertyville Republican Carol Calabresa was selected vice president, a role she's had before. Calabresa defeated Waukegan Democrat Angelo Kyle, the incumbent vice president, by a 13-10 vote along party lines.
Carter, who voted for Stolman and Calabresa for their respective posts, said her choices weren't based on party affiliation.
"My support went to the people who were very qualified," she said. "The people I supported were the ones I was comfortable with this time around."
Both boards will meet later this month to approve committee leadership posts and committee assignments.