King County District 7 ad hoc committee to interview four candidates to fill vacancy

The King County District 7 ad hoc committee voted to interview four applicants for a vacancy on the district board and recessed into executive session to consider candidates under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

The committee approved interviewing Sadie Dixon, Juan Cifuentes, Alex Arroyo and Jeffrey Donaldson. The group later moved to adjourn until Jan. 10, 2025, at 1 p.m.

The committee discussed whether all applicants should be interviewed and raised a question about residency timelines for candidates. Steven Ford of the State's Attorney's Office advised that "on its face, the statute doesn't, set forth a time frame, to obtain residency," and said the office could perform further analysis of county code or election code provisions if the committee wanted that review.

During discussion before the executive session, one member noted that one applicant appeared not to live in the district and questioned that person's qualification under the district rules. Other members urged that all complete submissions be available for review; at least one member said they wanted to interview every qualified applicant rather than narrowing the pool before review.

The committee cited 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3) — the exemption in the Illinois Open Meetings Act for the consideration of the appointment of a public office — as the basis for entering executive session to consider selecting a person to fill the vacancy.

The committee then returned to open session, voted to interview the four named applicants, and adjourned with the next meeting set for Jan. 10, 2025, at 1 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to enter executive session "for the purposes of considering the selection of a person to fill a vacancy in a public office pursuant to 5 ILCS 120-2(c)(3)" — seconded; roll-call recorded as yes by Fisher, Arnold Gibson, Chair Gumbs, Myrna Molina and Nafino (vote tally: yes 5). Outcome: approved; meeting recessed to executive session.

- Motion to approve candidates to be interviewed (Sadie Dixon; Juan Cifuentes; Alex Arroyo; Jeffrey Donaldson) — seconded by Arnold Gibson; roll-call recorded as yes by Fisher, Arnold Gibson, Chair Gumbs, Myrna Molina and Nafino (vote tally: yes 5). Outcome: approved; the four candidates will be interviewed.

- Motion to adjourn until Jan. 10, 2025, at 1 p.m. — seconded; voice vote recorded as unanimous "aye." Outcome: approved; meeting adjourned.

The committee indicated it will review applicants' résumés and conduct interviews, then reconvene to make a selection. The State's Attorney's Office offered to provide a more detailed legal review of residency and qualification requirements if the committee requests further analysis.