Forest Park's four remaining commissioners have until Nov. 13 to agree on a replacement for Maria Maxham, the former commissioner of accounts and finance who resigned Oct. 13.
The appointment vote is set for the Monday, Nov. 9, council meeting, which will include public discussion before commissioners cast their ballots, the Forest Park Review reported.
A majority of the four sitting commissioners, including Mayor Rory Hoskins, must vote in favor of a nominee. A 2-2 tie kills the motion.
Village Administrator Rachell Entler urged commissioners to start thinking about candidates. At the Monday, Oct. 26, council meeting, Entler recommended that commissioners who have names in mind "let your fellow council members know and talk with them."
The Illinois Open Meetings Act bars more than two commissioners from discussing nominations outside a public meeting.
Entler told the Forest Park Review that commissioners typically start by looking at people already active in the community through village boards, commissions or volunteer work. She said one key step is confirming a potential appointee is willing to serve.
Anyone who meets the qualifications to run for commissioner in the April 6 election is eligible for the seat. The new commissioner will serve the remainder of Maxham's four-year term and can choose to run in that election. Entler said at the Oct. 26 meeting that any appointee who wants on the April ballot would need to go through the standard filing process quickly.
Commissioners could also reshuffle department assignments after the appointment. That would require a nomination and a separate majority vote, Entler said.
Maxham posted on Facebook on Oct. 13 that she was stepping down, citing personal family matters, the Forest Park Review reported at the time. She also dropped out of the mayoral race she had entered earlier that month. Village officials confirmed her resignation that evening. Commissioner Ryan Nero acknowledged the vacancy at the Oct. 13 meeting, saying he was surprised by the news.
The accounts and finance commissioner seat is one of five positions on the April 6 ballot, along with the mayoral seat and three other commissioner roles. Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin, who currently oversees streets and public improvements, announced Oct. 21 that she is running for mayor.
Hoskins has not confirmed whether he will seek reelection, according to the Forest Park Review.
The Nov. 9 meeting is the last scheduled council session before the Nov. 13 deadline. Entler told the Review that if commissioners cannot agree, "the council needs to continue deliberating until they reach a consensus."
