Illinois
Camille Lilly, executive director of the Austin Chamber of Commerce who is an administrator at
Chaired by state Sen. Don Harmon (39th), the group met at the Carleton Hotel in
Speaking to the panel, she stressed the importance of neighborhood connections and nonstop work toward community goals.
“It’s more than ‘We can.’- We must,” said Lilly, a 1979 graduate of
Lilly said she will resign as the Chamber’s director but will continue to work at Loretto, where she’s served as vice president of external affairs. The House seat became vacant when Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Graham 29th Ward alderman in March.
Graham, an
The other candidates who addressed the panel were Maretta Brown-Miller, Rev. Marshall Hatch, Ted Leverenz, Blake Sercye and Bruce Washington.
The decision came following a two-hour public meeting. By law, committeemen have the power to make appointments when certain elected offices become vacant, a process normally done behind closed doors. The committee Saturday included state Rep. Karen Yarbrough (7th); former Chicago alderman William J.P. Banks; and 37th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts-28th Ward Ald. Ed Smith voted by proxy through Mitts.
Tuesday was Lilly’s first official day on the job in
Austin Weekly News will have additional coverage in Thursday’s paper.
Helen Karakoudas contributed to this story