DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES PROCESS TO FILL 7TH DISTRICT ILLINOIS STATE SENATE VACANCY

Democratic Committeepersons from the 7th Senate District announced the process for Democratic candidates seeking appointment for the 7th District State Senate seat, soon to be vacated due to the resignation of State Senator .

Earlier this week, Senator Steans announced her resignation, effective January 31st, 2021. As required by law, this vacancy must be filled within 30 days of Sunday, January 31st, 2021, to ensure the residents of the district are represented in the Illinois General Assembly.

The Democratic Committeepersons open the process to residents of the 7th Senate District who seek to be appointed to fill the Senate seat for the remainder of the term for the 102nd General Assembly. Interested candidates must submit the following information by email to [email protected] by midnight on Sunday, January 31st in a single PDF document ​ ​ in order to be considered in the selection process:

*Name ​ *Address ​ *Complete Resume ​ *Candidate Statement: Please include why you would like to be considered for appointment to ​ ​ ​ 7th District State Senate position.

In an effort to promote an open and transparent process, the Committee may promote candidate application information on online platforms visible to the voters of the 7th District. Candidates may also supply a photo of themselves if they choose, though it is not required.

The 7th District represents diverse communities and neighbors who come from different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and ways of life. This diversity is our strength, and binds us together. Candidates seeking appointment to the State Senate must show the ability to lead, represent and advocate for the mosaic of people in the 7th District with an eye towards integrity, racial equity and social justice.

On Saturday, February 6th at 1:00 p.m., the Democratic Committeepersons will meet at the Swedish American Museum (5211 North Clark Street) for the purposes of reviewing candidate credentials, interviewing candidates, and voting on the appointment to fill the 7th District State Senate vacancy. Due to the declared public health disaster caused by COVID-19, this open forum meeting will be conducted by video conference. Interested candidates must be prepared to meet and discuss their credentials with the committee at this time by video conference. Community residents can attend this meeting by video conference. Following the open forum meeting, the committeeman will deliberate and vote on the appointment to fill the 7th District Senate seat.

Alderman Osterman is the Chair of the Committee voting to appoint a replacement. The committee members vote by a weighted vote, according to the number of votes in their ward for the 7th District State Senate seat in the 2020 General Election. The selection committee is comprised of all the Democratic Committeemen within the 7th State Senate District. The committee and weighted vote are listed below.

If you have any additional questions, please email [email protected]. ​ ​

Ward / Township Committeeman Vote %

Ward 33 Iris Martinez 244 .27

Ward 39 668 .74

Ward 40 Maggie O’Keefe 20,867 23.18

Ward 46 Sean Tenner 9,276 10.31

Ward 47 Paul Rosenfeld 13,021 14.47

Ward 48 Harry Osterman 24,352 27.06

Ward 49 19,790 21.99

Ward 50 Debra Silverstein 361 .40

Evanston Township Eamon Kelly 1,430 1.59

Total number of votes 90,009

Required number of votes for appointment 45,005