Public interviews will be held Monday for 10 applicants who hope to serve as Winnebago County Clerk for the next 10 months.
The current clerk, Democrat Margie Mullins, announced last month that she will step down at the end of January.
State law requires that the appointee must be of the same political party as the outgoing clerk. Officials are checking primary voting records to ensure the party status of applicants.
The interviews will be held at 30-minute intervals starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 22. Members of the public may submit written comments following each interview.
The applicants, in alphabetical order, are:
- Karen Coleman, of Machesney Park, a substitute teacher
- Alexis Crenshaw, of Chicago, a retail manager
- Paul Gorski, of Rockford, former Cherry Valley Township trustee and former Winnebago County Board member and a declared candidate for the office in the 2018 election
- Tiana McCall, of Rockford, Constituent Advocate for U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos
- Brandon Sanchez, of Machesney Park, attorney
- Francine Schiro, of Winnebago, former chief deputy recorder of deeds
- Robbin Snodgrass, of Machesney Park, former village trustee
- Stuart Wahlin, of Rockford, filmmaker and former reporter and TV news videographer
- Dyanna Rose Walker, of Rockford, independent candidate for 10th Ward Alderman
- L.C. Wilson, of Rockford, Winnebago County Board District 14 member
County Board Chairman Frank Haney has asked Mullins, Board Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Hoffman, and a county human resources staff member to be involved in the interviews.
“We are committed to finding the best possible appointed Clerk to serve-out the term vacated by Clerk Mullins,” he said. “I thought it was important to conduct the County Clerk interviews in public so that the community, media, and County Board can hear directly from the candidates.”
Haney could make a formal recommendation as soon as the board's next meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25. The County Board must confirm the appointment.
Haney has said he is opposed to appointing anyone who is a candidate for election in November.
The winning candidate in the general election will take office Dec. 3.
