Island Lake mayor still searching for right trustee candidate

Island Lake Mayor Debbie Herrmann said she hasn't yet found the right person to fill a vacancy on the village board.

Herrmann has interviewed three hopefuls for the post left vacant when Donna O'Malley resigned unexpectedly in mid-May, but she said none was suitable for the position.

The remaining five trustees haven't been involved in the interviews, Herrmann said.

Herrmann said she plans to speak with three additional candidates about the post within the next week or two.

She had hoped to recommend an appointee at the board's next meeting on June 28. If she's not ready then, she may offer a name at the July 12 meeting.

It's up to the mayor to recommend a candidate to the board, which then votes on the nomination.

Anyone interested in the post can email Herrmann at debbie.herrmann@voislk.com.

Candidates must be village residents, at least 18 years old and registered voters.

The eventual appointee will finish O'Malley's term, which would have ended in spring 2013.

The trustee position isn't the only political vacancy in Island Lake. Last week, Village Clerk Jen Gomez surprised Herrmann and other officials by announcing her resignation, effective June 26.

The search for a new clerk hasn't begun, Herrmann said. Herrmann said she's been working with Gomez to determine what work needs to be done for the summer and beyond.

Gomez was appointed to the job last year after Pam Miller, who was elected in 2009, resigned midway through her term.

Whoever is appointed to replace Gomez will finish that term, which also ends in 2013.