Democrats announce plan to fill state House 42 vacancy

The Democratic Party of DuPage County announced Monday how it will fill the seat of 42nd District state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, a Glen Ellyn Democrat.

Howard is resigning Thursday to become a DuPage County Circuit Court judge. State law prohibits judges from holding elected offices.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 9. State law requires applicants to belong to the same party as Howard.

To apply, send a resume and letter of interest to info@dupagedemocrats.com.

The party will then have a meeting Oct. 12 to select the replacement. Applicants will have the chance to make a three-minute speech. Members of the public can attend the meeting, but they will not be allowed to give comments.

The representative committee for the district will then choose a person.

The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Lecture Hall 1234 of the Health and Science Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

The committee consists of county party Chairman Reid McCollum; Dyan Page, chairman of the York Township Democratic Organization; and Dennis Terdy, former chairman of the Democratic Party of Milton Township.

“We’re committed to a transparent, equitable process that gives every eligible Democrat in HD‑42 a fair opportunity to be considered,” McCollum said in a written statement. “We invite interested community members to apply and to share their vision for serving this district.”

The 42nd District includes parts of Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Lombard, Naperville and Wheaton.