The doors are open for a new Cook County Clerk, as the local Democratic Party scrambles to fill the void left by the late Karen Yarbrough. The Cook County Democratic Party has issued a call for applications, as they face the challenge of selecting an interim replacement and a candidate for the upcoming November ballot after Yarbrough's unexpected death cast a shadow on county politics.
With an application deadline that was set for Wednesday, a diverse group of 17 candidates - including County Board members, a sitting state senator, and Evanston's current city clerk - tossed their hats in the ring, as reported by WLS. A meeting scheduled for Friday will be the stage for the Cook County Democrats to cast their votes, one for an interim clerk and another for the November ballot's nominee.
The vacancy for the Cook County Clerk, a role that oversees an annual budget of roughly $75 million and a staff of 350, managing vital records and suburban elections, among other duties, is a rare and consequential opening. Cedric Giles, Yarbrough's top deputy, has been tipped by party insiders for the interim position, citing his experience as a stabilizing force during Yarbrough's hospitalization, as The Chicago Tribune has learned.
Despite the preference for a suburbanite to succeed Yarbrough, several candidates from diverse backgrounds are still vying for the spot. These include Commissioners Monica Gordon, Donna Miller, Kevin Morrison, state Sen. Napoleon Harris, and Yumeka Brown. However, Harris' candidacy was met with opposition from progressive groups due to his voting record on LGBTQ+ rights and abortion access, issues closely connected to the clerk's responsibilities. Brian Johnson, Equality Illinois CEO, expressed alarm in a statement that someone who "refused to support the full dignity of LGBTQ+ people" could take on such a critical position.
Among those who withdrew from contention were Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Kari Steele, 4th Ward Ald. Lamont Robinson, and county Commissioner Stanley Moore. As the Cook County Democrats prepare for their closed-door deliberation, the influence of political alliances and public pressure from advocacy groups looms over the decision of who will take up the mantle of County Clerk, with the weight of Yarbrough's legacy in the balance.
