District 2 McHenry County Board member Jessica Phillips resigned to move to Huntley to live with the woman she loves.
Because there was still a year on her term and because she was a Democrat, she has to be replaced by appontment by the Board Chairman Mike Buehler, a Republican.
The appointment, however, must be a Democrat.
The pay is about $21,000, but the compensation can be almost double if one has a couple of dependents and opts to take health insurance.
Applying for the post are
Eric Daniel Anderson
Anderson is an attorney practicing in Chicago and a member of the Crystal Lake Park Board, having been elected twice for non-consequtive terms.
Here is how he explains his practice:
References:\
- David Staub
- Richard Vogelman
- Jasen Herbster
Robert Keith Brechbiel
Brechbiel lives in Crystal Lake ands is a firefighter/paramedic in the Crystal Lake Fire/Rescue Department, having served in Woodsotck five years before Crystal Lake.
He is a member, perhaps an officer, of the Summer Glen Homeowners’ Association.
References:
- Andy Albright
- Mike MacIntyre
- John Volenec
Carolyn Marie Campbell
Cambell is a resident of Crystal Lake.
The only question answered in detail concerned the role envisioned as a County Board member:
Although not noted on her applicaiton, she served as a member of the McHenry County Conservation District Board.
References:
- Carolyn Schofield
- Diane Klotnia
- Mark Kuczera
Sara D. Davis
Davis lives in Lake in Hills and works for Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County where she is Directlry of Community Operaitons.
References are
- Jennifer Kuhn
- Matt Kostecki
- Kelly Rammien
Thomas Pavelko
A practicing attorney since 1983, Pavelko has worked for the American Agriculture Insurance Company in Schaumburg since 1998. His resume says he was Treasurer of the South High School Hockey Club from 2017-2020.
He was recommended for appointment in a letter by McHenry County Demoratic Party Chair Kristina Zahori on December 2, 2021.
Background on his applicaiont:
References:
- Andrew Boris
- Richard Leisure
- Lisa Heim
Gloria Van Hof
Van Hof lives in Crystal Lake and works at the Riverside Foiundation, a long-term care facility in Lombard where she is in a high level supervisory position.
Van Hof lives in Crystal Lake and works at the Riverside Foiundation, a long-term care facility in Lombard where she is in a high level supervisory position.
Below is her view of the role of a County Board member:
References are
- John Jung
- Brian DeBona
- Paula Yensen
Juanita M. Vega
Vega of Lake in the Hills works in the financial services sector out of Oak Brook as agency Sales Director for Wela Financial/One American Securities and a broker for Mass Mutual. Shje mentions “Hispanic and Latino networking.”
Here is Vega’s view of the role of a County Board member:
Her references are
- Kelli Wegener
- Suzanne Ness
- Jean Llamas
Dems in the county have 8 county board members, a state rep, and the party’s chairman. That’s 10 “leaders” in the county right there who could weigh in, and potentially any Democrat who lives in that district could apply. Here we have 7 applicants. It would be weird if leaders in the Democratic Party all agreed on the same person, don’t you think?
I’m glad they disagree. It shows me they are capable of thinking independently. Now whether they exercise that capability on the board is another subject (they occasionally do disagree on issues brought before the board), but at least on the question of replacement there are some different ideas.
Never select a lawyer if you have any choice in the matter, so Anderson and Pavelko are disqualified.
Carolyn Marie Campbell lists Carolyn Schofield as a reference, so she’s out.
Gloria Van Hof lists John Jung and Paula Yensen as references, so she’s out.
Juanita M. Vega lists Kelli Wegener and Suzanne Ness as references, so she’s out.
That leaves Robert Keith Brechbiel and Sara D. Davis, a firefighter and a Habit for Humanity director.
I’d say the firefighter is the best choice of the bunch.