Appointment Process Underway For Vacant 27th District Senate Seat

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — If you've ever thought about working in Springfield and are a member of the Democratic Party, there's currently a vacant state senate seat available. Following the recent resignation of former State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights), who has accepted a post as director of the Illinois Department of Insurance, an appointment process is underway.

According to the Wheeling Township Democratic Organization, those who would like to apply for appointment to the 27th State Senate District should send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by 10 p.m. Tuesday, April 30.

To be eligible for appointment, applicants must be United States citizens, at least 21 years old, and have been a resident of the 27th District for at least two years prior to appointment. Officials said because Gillespie is a Democrat, her replacement must also be a member of the Democratic Party, per the Illinois Constitution.

RELATED: Gillespie Named IL Department Of Insurance Director — Pritzker

The appointment will be conducted by the Committee people at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at 14 W. Miner St., Arlington Heights. To RSVP to attend the meeting in person or virtually via Zoom, officials are asking people to email [email protected]. The meeting will also be live-streamed for the public on the Wheeling Township Democrats Facebook page to provide more accessibility.

Members of the Democratic committee overseeing the replacement process are Wheeling Township Democratic Committee person Mark Walker, Elk Grove Township Democratic Committee person Ted Mason, Palatine Township Democratic Committee person Maria Galo, Maine Township Democratic Committee person Laura Murphy, and Schaumburg Township Democratic Committee person Mike Cudzik. All interested candidates will receive the best available contact information for each Committee person after submission of their application.

The 27th District includes parts of Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Barrington, Inverness, Palatine, Prospect Heights and South Barrington.

The appointment process information is also available on the Wheeling Township Democratic Organization’s website, www.wheelingdems.com.