With the death of Mary Ross Cunningham, a longtime figure in Waukegan and Lake County politics, the local Democratic and Republican parties are issuing calls for candidates to run for her County Board seat in a special election later this year.
Lake County is also seeking candidates to fill Cunningham’s District 9 seat temporarily. According to a county release, Illinois law requires the Lake County Board Chair, in this case Sandy Hart, to appoint someone to fill the vacancy within 60 days — by Aug. 22 — with the advice and consent of the County Board.
Whoever is appointed will serve until the end of this County Board session on Dec. 6.
Hart called on candidates to help fill the “tremendous void” left by Cunningham, praising her energy and passion over a decades-long career.
“I know the greatest way we can honor Mary’s remarkable legacy is for others who share her heart for public service to step forward and continue the work she cared so deeply about,” Hart said.
Among other requirements, the appointee requires the candidate to be in the same political party as Cunningham, a Democrat. But party affiliation seemingly won’t be a requirement for the upcoming special election on Nov. 3 to fill her seat for the remaining 2 years of her term.
Last week, the Lake County Democratic Party and Waukegan Township Democratic Party put out a call for candidates for the special election, with the candidate to be selected by a managing committee consisting of party officials in District 9. The submission deadline is midnight on July 24, a release said.
“Representing District 9 on the Lake County Board carries significant responsibility. The district’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and the individual selected will be entrusted with ensuring that the voices of this community continue to be heard and advocated for at the county level,” the statement said.
Lake County Republicans put out a similar call on Friday. Dawn Abernathy, the party’s central committee chair, said members are “saddened by the unfortunate passing of a pillar of our community.”
The committee will hold a special slating session to choose a candidate for the vacant seat, with all inquiries for candidacy required to be received by the July 24 deadline.
