Both parties hopeful to name Froehlich's successor

News of Democratic state Rep. Paul Froehlich's absence from the campaign trail next year has sparked leaders from both parties to begin grooming his possible successor.

As Froehlich himself was elected to the 56th District House seat as both a Republican and Democrat, party leaders know anything is possible with the right candidate.

The Schaumburg Township GOP will decide an early as next week whom to endorse of three potential candidates for next spring's primary, Committeeman Mike Adelizzi said.

They are Schaumburg Township District Library Trustee Anita Forte-Scott, who ran against Froehlich last year; Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 board member Charlotte Kegarise, who was bumped from the primary ballot last year by a technical objection; and Ryan Higgins, a 27-year-old attorney. All are Schaumburg residents.

Whether Froehlich completes his term or leaves early, it will be mainly up to Adelizzi's Democratic counterpart, Rocco Terranova, to appoint Froehlich's successor or find a candidate for his seat.

If the seat is vacated before the end of the term, Terranova said he'd prefer the successor to be someone who's already declared his or her candidacy.

Terranova said he's heard there's a possibility Froehlich might leave office by around February.