Burke likely to be appointed to finish term
State Rep. James Brosnahan (D-Evergreen Park) abruptly ended his legislative career this week, retiring almost a full year before his term ends.
While Brosnahan announced last fall he would not seek re-election to another two-year term, he was expected to serve the remainder of his current term, which ends in January 2011. Instead, he quietly left Springfield last week, filed a resignation letter and plans to focus more fully on his law practice. The city of Blue Island recently hired him as chief legal counsel.
Brosnahan’s decision sets in motion a process to immediately replace him. The Democratic township and ward committeemen of the 36th District will vote on a candidate to fill the seat for now. Consensus is building around Kelly Burke, of Evergreen Park, who won the Democratic nomination Feb. 2.
Burke beat a fellow Democrat, Michael Macellaio, who was supported by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago). So far, Madigan is open to seating Burke, even though he fought hard against her during the primary.
If she receives the appointment, Burke gains an advantage heading into the fall election, during which she’ll face Republican Richard Grabowski, of Hometown. She’ll have a few months of legislative experience under her belt, a leg up on fund-raising and a wealth of contacts.
Burke said Wednesday she is interested but wants to take a few weeks off after a grueling primary.
Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services