Candidates vying to replace Frerichs in Illinois Senate

CHAMPAIGN - Local Democratic party officials are preparing to choose someone to replace Treasurer-elect Mike Frerichs in the Illinois Senate.

The (Champaign) News Gazette reports as many as 13 people are scheduled to be interviewed for the job Wednesday night.

Frerichs, who is from Champaign, will take office as Illinois Treasurer on Monday. He still has two years remaining on his Senate term.

Party chairmen in Champaign and Vermilion counties will choose someone later this month to fill the vacancy.

Champaign County Democratic Chairman Al Klein says the applicants' names won't be made public until Wednesday night's meeting.

But he says the applicants represent "a nice cross-section" of people. Klein says the pool of potential nominees includes a college student, several politicians and an auctioneer.