With sadness following the loss of County Board member Jesse Vazquez, Kane County on Tuesday began the task to fill the vacancy for the 8th District seat on the County Board.

The board voted unanimously to declare the position vacant and follow the Illinois Election Code procedures of making the vacancy known to the local leaders of the established political parties. The appointee who fills the vacancy “must be from the same political party as the person being succeeded,” the code says. Vazquez was a Democrat.

According to state statute, the vacancy has to be filled within 60 days via appointment by the chairman of the County Board with the advice and consent of the County Board. The appointee will serve the balance of Vazquez’ term. According to the Kane County website, the term expires on Nov. 30, 2016.

Vazquez served on the Agriculture, Energy and Environmental, Jobs, Legislative, Public Health and Public Service committees. In Kane County, board members also serve as Kane County Forest Preserve District commissioners.

“This is a sad time for our board,” Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen said. “These are large shoes to fill.”

He asked that area news media help get out the word that there is a board vacancy and that the board is considering candidates. He said a candidate must be a resident of District 8 and must have been an eligible voter at the time of the most-recent Democratic primary. For more information, contact the Kane County Clerk’s Office or the Illinois State Board of Elections.

“We will do a thorough search, and we will include everyone who wishes to give their recommendations and thoughts,” Lauzen said. “I will involve especially the board members from the Aurora/Montgomery area coming from the Democratic Party.

“We will be looking for three things: character, competence and independence.”

DECLARING COUNTY BOARD VACANCY

WHEREAS, the Illinois Election Code specifies those steps required to be taken in the event of a vacancy occurring in any county elected office, 10 ILCS 5/25-11; and

WHEREAS, the untimely death of Kane County Board Member Jesse Vazquez has created a vacancy in the office of member for Kane County Board District 8; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Illinois Election Code, such a vacancy is to be publicly declared by the County Board and notification given to the established political parties, 10 ILCS 5/25-11; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Illinois Election Code, the appointee to fill such a vacancy is required to be from the same political party as the person being succeeded, 10 ILCS 5/25-11.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Kane County Board that a vacancy in office is declared in the office of member for County Board District 8.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Kane County Board notice is hereby given to the Democrat and Republican Parties of such vacancy.

Passed by the Kane County Board on February 10, 2015.