July 14, 2021
County Board Chair Sandy Hart Appoints J. Kevin Hunter to Fill District 5 Board Vacancy
At the July 13 County Board meeting, Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart appointed Ingleside resident J. Kevin Hunter to fill the District 5 County Board seat left vacant by the resignation of former board member Judy Martini in May. Hunter was sworn into office and began his duties immediately.
Hunter, who has lived in District 5 for 31 years, worked as a firefighter/EMT for 22 years at the Fox Lake Fire Protection District and previously served as a Village of Fox Lake trustee, Grant Community High School Board Member and Grant Township Precinct Committeeman.
Illinois law requires the county board chair, with the advice and consent of the county board, to appoint a qualified individual to fill a vacancy on the county board within 60 days. Per state law, the appointee must be of the same political party as the seat's predecessor. Accordingly, the chair was required to appoint a Republican.
Following Martini’s resignation, Hart established an advisory committee comprised of Lake County Board Vice Chair Mary Ross-Cunningham, Lake County Board Members Linda Pedersen and Michael Danforth, and Lake County Republican Party Chair Mark Shaw, which reviewed several applications and recommended Hunter for the appointment.
"During the interview process, Kevin Hunter demonstrated a clear commitment to using his time and efforts to give back to the community," Hart said. "I am confident that he will faithfully serve the interests of his constituents."
Hunter will serve until the next general election, Nov. 8, 2022.
"I am excited to continue the County leadership that Judy Martini, Bonnie Thomson Carter and Ed Fojtik have shown in District 5 for the last 30 years,” said Hunter. “I am truly humbled to have been asked to serve."
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 J. Kevin Hunter pictured right being sworn in by 19th Judicial Circuit Judge Jorge L. Ortiz
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