Rutledge to step down from DuPage County Board, seat to be filled by appointment

DuPage County Board member Sheila Rutledge, who won election as Winfield Township supervisor last month, will step down from her board seat at the end of August.

Rutledge, a longtime Democrat and head of the board’s environmental committee, defeated Republican incumbent Nicole Prater in the supervisor’s race as part of a “blue wave” at the township level.

County Board Chair Deborah Conroy in a statement said Rutledge informed her Tuesday of her decision to resign from her District 6 seat. Her resignation will take effect at the end of the board meeting on Aug. 26.

Her vacant seat will be filled by Conroy with the advice and consent of the board. Rutledge has been a county board member since 2018.

As environmental committee chair, Rutledge has been “a passionate advocate for the County, diligently leading efforts to create environmentally friendly policies and initiatives,” Conroy said in the statement. “Her collegial approach and dedication to the residents of District 6 is to be commended. We thank Member Rutledge for her service and wish her well as she focuses on her new role as Winfield Township Supervisor.”

In November 2022, Rutledge was the top vote-getter ahead of five other candidates for three District 6 seats on the ballot. Along with Rutledge, Republican Jim Zay and Democrat Greg Schwarze won reelection.

Rutledge’s replacement on the board must be from the same political party — a Democrat. The newly appointed board member will complete the remainder of her term, which expires Dec. 7, 2026.

Residents of District 6 who are interested in seeking appointment to the board should email a resume and letter of no more than 300 words outlining their interest to Conroy at chair@dupagecounty.gov. The deadline for submission is 4:30 p.m. June 20.

District 6 covers the northwestern chunk of the county, including West Chicago, Wayne and parts of Wheaton.