DDA selects 10 applicants for next phase of Cook County administrator search; timeline may shift

DDA, the county’s recruitment partner for the Cook County administrator search, identified 10 applicants to advance to the next phase of screening: video interviews, a work‑personality assessment and an information disclosure statement. The board discussed timing for finalist selection and asked DDA to contact the 10 applicants immediately and report back on how many can meet the planned schedule.

Pat Melvin of DDA told commissioners he reviewed 25 applications received during the posting window and highlighted 10 candidates for the board’s preliminary review. He said the 10 are not yet finalists and that the board would receive assessment materials and candidate videos prior to selecting finalists to invite for in‑person interviews.

Commissioners expressed urgency to keep the process moving toward scheduled interviews (a tentative interview window was discussed) but also asked DDA to notify the board if multiple candidates in the 10 cannot complete the requested materials on the proposed schedule so the board can consider backups. Melvin said he would contact the 10 and return with an updated list for commissioners to review.