Dems: Sente "most exemplified" Ryg's position in 59th Dist.

Being a park district board member isn't exactly a high-profile post when it comes to Illinois politics.

But it wasn't merely Vernon Hills resident Carol Sente's elected experience that earned her an appointment to the state House, replacing Kathy Ryg in the 59th District, Lake County's Democratic leader said Monday.

Sente, who was named to the post this weekend, topped a field of more than a dozen candidates because "she most exemplified what Rep. Ryg was like," said state Sen. Terry Link, the party's local chairman.

Sente's community involvement, her charity work and her frankness were among the qualities that won over Link and the other Democrats reviewing the applications.

"That's what we were looking for," Link said.

Sente, an architect who's served on the Vernon Hills park board since 2005, was sworn in as the state's newest legislator on Saturday. She said she will step down from the park board.

Ryg, a representative since 2002, resigned from the General Assembly this summer to lead a children's advocacy group.

Sente will be eligible to run for the House seat in 2010. She won't be alone on February's primary ballot; Buffalo Grove Village President Elliot Hartstein, a Democrat who'd voiced interest in the appointment, said he'll remain in the race for the seat.

"I think a contested primary on both sides of the aisle is a good thing for the district," Hartstein said Monday.

Although disappointed he didn't get the appointment, Hartstein said he called Sente to congratulate her on the post and had only kind words to say about her.

"I have always thought she was a very nice person and her company has done a credible job for our community on the architectural projects it has worked on," he said.

Link, who worked with local and state Democratic leaders to choose Ryg's replacement, said Sente's appointment isn't a reflection on Hartstein or any of the other applicants.

"There were a number of well-qualified people who could have been selected, but Carol stood out," Link said.

Several Republicans have voiced interest in the seat, too. Among them are Ryg's 2008 opponent, Green Oaks attorney Dan Sugrue, and Green Oaks business owner Mohan Manian.

Lake County Board member Aaron Lawlor of Vernon Hills has said he will decided within the next few weeks if he will run.

Most of the 59th District is in eastern Lake County, but it includes a small portion of Cook County.