Maybe I’m being a it too harsh.
It is a natural tendency for politicians to immediately think of what might happen when an elected official dies, gets indicted or resigns.
In the case of the resignations of Richmond’s Supervisor and Clerk (a married couple), I guess kudos could be given to 8th County Board District Democratic Party Chair Pat Lawlor for alerting local Democrats of the opportunity to replace the two.
The four Township Trustees will make the appointment unless there is a tie.
Then the choice goes to a Circuit Court Judge.
Here is Lawlor’s email:
Paying township official positions now open!! Apply NOW!!
Greetings and Happy New Year!
Reading the NW Herald this morning alerted me to the resignations of the Richmond Twp supervisor Ron Kay, clerk wife Tammy Kay and office admin Diana Benitez as of today Dec 31. According to the article Ron Kay has health issues, so of course his wife retired too. No reason was given for the admin resignation. Certainly, we all have questions.
However, this is a Golden opportunity to have Dem-friendly leadership in Richmond Township. Historically, all 17 county townships have been repub led. Finally, as of last April’s election, the majority in Grafton Twp is Dem. Leadership for each township collects tax $$, then votes themselves compensation, generally a per diem amount for trustees, and varying for other positions. Township $$ is such a gold mine that one county board member is also a township supervisor, where his compensation is more than double the county board’s. (any guesses??)
But, personal payments should not be the main reason to apply for a supervisor, clerk or admin position at Richmond Township. It just would be more fair and equitable if all points of view are represented on all boards. Since the townships have been so lopsided toward the reds, it would be great if acting supervisor Freund could balance the board with these new appointments.
So if you live in Richmond Township and have had the thought that you could do a better job as supervisor, clerk or admin, or know someone who is interested, please submit your resume to acting supervisor Freund ASAP. The article doesn’t give a timeline, but it sounds like he will decide soon.
This is a golden opportunity, so I am hoping many of us will step up to serve.
Thank you for considering or persuading someone else. This is one small step to helping 2026 be better.
Pat Lawlor, District 8 Dem Chair
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Below is the notice on the Richmond Township website:
The Clerk is paid $6,000 a year.
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The replacement mechanism was one of the twelve bills I introduced in my first term which became law. officials from many special districts were selected by judges.
The revision has mainly worked well, except for sanitary districts.
Officials of overlapping tax districts were given appointment power,
But sanitary district lines are so irregular, the only appointing authority I could come up with was members of legislative districts.
In the 1970’s, my state rep and Senate districts covered part of the Elgin Sanitary District.
We knew nothing of the district, so deferred to Elgin State Rep. John Friedland.
We voted for his nominee.
There was an unsettling result.
After Friedland retired, he convince the Sanitary District Trustees to hie him as a lobbyist at aout $100,000 a year.
That bumped his pension up so much that Friedland got more than any other former legislator at the time.
