State Rep. JoAnn Osmond to resign July 1
Republican State Rep. JoAnn Osmond of Antioch will resign effective July 1, which will give her choice for successor a chance to serve as an incumbent before the November general election.
“I just signed the papers about 22 minutes ago,” Osmond told the Daily Herald on Friday morning.
Osmond, a lawmaker since 2002, announced last year she wouldn't seek re-election. She said she's stepping down early because her son is getting married in September.
“I really want to spend more time getting ready for the wedding with him,” she said.
Osmond acknowledged the move will give the Republican candidate for the 61st House District seat, Sheri Jesiel, an edge against Democratic hopeful Loren Karner.
“It definitely will,” Osmond said.
Jesiel is set to take over July 2, Osmond said.
Both Jesiel and Karner are from Winthrop Harbor. Both ran unopposed in partisan primary elections earlier this year.
Formally, it'll be up to a three-member committee of Lake County Republicans to name Osmond's successor. But since Jesiel already has won the GOP primary, “she's the most logical person to put in,” Osmond said.
Neither Jesiel nor Karner could be reached for comment.
Osmond replaced her late husband, Tim, in the Legislature. She rose to the rank of assistant GOP leader in the House.
“It's been an honor and a privilege to be representing this area as long as I have,” she said.
The 61st District covers all of Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Newport Township, Wadsworth and Old Mill Creek, as well as part of Gurnee, Antioch, Lake Villa and Lindenhurst.