Democratic Will County Board member resigns

Will County Board member Laurie Summers resigned from her seat.

Bill Thoman said that Summers, the chairman of the Will County Democratic Central Committee, recently took a job in the Will County Coroner’s Office. If Pat O’Neil, the current coroner, decides not to run for reelection in 2020, Thoman said, Summers might run in his place.

“They’re being mutually supportive,” Thoman said.

Although O’Neil obtained a nominating petition to run for reelection to his seat, he has yet to confirm whether he will be on the ballot. Thoman said O’Neil would like the Will County Board to raise the annual salaries of countywide positions such as his, which pays $93,116, if he were to run again.

Summers, D-Crete, was first elected in 2016. She has served on the County Board’s executive, legislative and policy, and public health and safety committees. She was also named the president of the Forest Preserve of Will County Board of Commissioners.

Ken Harris, D-Bolingbrook, is the vice president of the forest preserve board and will fulfill Summers’ duties for now.

According to board rules, because Summers is a Democrat, a member of the Democratic party must be appointed to replace her. Those interested should send a letter of interest and a résumé to Thoman by Nov. 1. His email is members@willcountydemocrats.org. Those interested can also apply at P.O. Box 4242, Joliet, IL 60434.

Calls to Summers and O’Neil were not returned Friday.