Interested in Filling Kevin McCarthy’s Former House Seat? Get Your Resume Ready

With about a year left to go in his term, Illinois State Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D-Orland Park) has decided to resign from his post.

Now a replacement is needed to hold the seat until Jan. 2013. Choosing that replacement falls mainly to , who serves as the Orland Township Democrat committeeman, as the township comprises over 50 percent of the 37th Illinois House District. Committeemen from Bremen, Frankfort and Thornton townships will also be weighing in on the replacement.

Up to midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 11, people interested in trying their hand at state politics can send in their resumes to orlandtownshipdemocrats2012@gmail.com. Prospective candidates will also have to answer a short questionnaire to narrow the field.

The questions are:

• Why do you want to serve as State Representative?
• What community involvement have you had?
• What is your experience with budgets?
• What do you see as the most important issue facing Illinois?
• What do you see as the most important issue facing the 37th District? 

“The first day of the new session is Jan. 31, and I want to make sure we aren’t missing representation,” McLaughlin said. “I have no idea if I’ll get two or three or 30 applicants.”

Those that pass the litmus test will then be called in to an interview with McLaughlin and then with the other committeemen, with the hope of choosing the replacement by Saturday, Jan. 14.

McCarthy has not specified why he resigned other than it was the “right decision for me and my family,” . McCarthy served as state representative for 15 years.