CHICAGO (AP) — State Rep. Annazette Collins was picked Monday to fill an Illinois Senate vacancy created by the resignation of a west Chicago lawmaker.
Collins has served in the House since 2000 and
chairs the Public Utilities Committee. She has worked in corrections and
probation agencies, and has a master's degree in criminal justice.
Local Democratic committeemen picked her
unanimously for the seat previously held by Rickey Hendon. Hendon resigned last
month after 18 years and said his departure is not connected to a federal probe
of state grants he helped arrange.
The selection panel was led by Secretary of State
Jesse White. White spokesman Dave Druker said 13 people made pitches for the
Senate seat and eight of them made the cut for the committee to vote on.
Collins was selected unanimously after about 45
minutes of discussion, Druker said.
From 2005 through 2007, Collins filed campaign
disclosure reports wrongly showing no contributions or expenses. In reality,
she took in more than $110,000 and spent more than $120,000 during that period.
Collins apologized last year and paid a $20,000
fine to the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Another applicant was Scott Lee Cohen, the former
candidate for governor and lieutenant governor. His political hopes were dashed
by accusations of domestic violence and steroid abuse.
White said the committee also questioned his party
loyalty after his independent run for governor.
"When you run as an independent, the question
is really are you a Democrat or a Republican or an independent?" White
said.
Copyright
2011 The Associated Press.
