Kisha McCaskill, government director of the Harvey Park District, was chosen Friday night time to interchange Monica Gordon because the district’s fifth Cook County Board member.
McCaskill has been government director since May 2015 and, in accordance with her resume, is co-founder of Democratic Women of the Southland Region.
Democratic Party leaders within the fifth District had to decide on a substitute for Gordon, who was sworn in final month as Cook County clerk.
They met at South Suburban College in South Holland, and McCaskill was one in all 5 candidates looking for the place.
Among the candidates was Hazel Crest Mayor Vernard Alsberry, who shouldn’t be operating for re-election this yr as a consequence of time period limits. He can also be a member of the Bremen City Democratic Committee and voted to decide on Gordon’s substitute.
Kiana Belcher, Dolton Administrator, Chicago Heights Ald. Kelli Merrick and Rich Township Highway Commissioner Dennis White additionally sought to fill the emptiness on the board.
McCaskill audibly gasped after his choice was introduced, and after being sworn in advised Democratic leaders “I do know this wasn’t a simple determination.”
Speaking to the group, he stated that “my job might be to serve you, from Roseland to Chicago Heights.”
After the announcement, Gordon stated he believes McCaskill “might be an important addition to the board.”
“He will work to enhance the standard of life for the residents of the fifth District,” Gordon stated.
McCaskill’s husband, Anthony McCaskill, beforehand served as president of the Harvey Park Board and unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Harvey in 2023.
McCaskill will serve by Gordon’s remaining time period and faces election to a full time period in 2026.
In April, Cook County Democrats voted for Gordon amongst 15 hopefuls because the social gathering’s nominee for the November particular election to interchange Karen Yarbrough, who died final spring.
Elected to the County Council in November 2022, Gordon served as government director of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, a trustee of Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, and director of presidency relations at Chicago State University.
On the County Council, Gordon changed retiring fifth District Commissioner Deborah Sims.
Sims was within the viewers when the choice was introduced, and McCaskill thanked her for “paving the best way for girls” on the county council.
Dozens of individuals waited exterior a university convention room Friday night as candidates introduced resumes and {qualifications} and spoke with social gathering leaders behind closed doorways.
Belcher is operating for re-election to a second time period as a Dolton trustee and defined earlier than Friday’s determination why he sought the commissioner’s job. She stated she did not consider that, if she have been chosen, she would be capable to function each a trustee and a county commissioner.
“I’ve been an excellent supporter of the village as a trustee and wish to prolong my help to the commissioner place,” she stated.
Fellow trustees Jason House, Dolton mayor candidate, and Tammie Brown together with village clerk Alison Key have been along with her on the choice assembly.
Merrick stated she has been a councilor for six years and isn’t operating for re-election this yr.
“I love to do good and I’ve finished good issues for Chicago Heights and I wished to increase and do good issues within the fifth District for good folks,” he stated.
She stated she wasn’t certain, if she have been chosen, whether or not she would be capable to serve on each the county board and the town council.
“I might nonetheless be capable to deliver good issues to my group, however on a bigger scale,” he stated.
mnolan@southtownstar.com
