West Chicago Democrat Sheila Rutledge is stepping down from DuPage County Board to focus on her newly elected role as supervisor of Winfield Township.
Rutledge’s resignation will be effective upon the adjournment of the Aug. 26 county board meeting, according to a news release from the county.
Rutledge, who has represented District 6 on county board since 2018, was elected supervisor of Winfield Township in April. Winfield Township is located in DuPage County and comprises most of West Chicago, WInfield and Warrenville, as well as small sections of Wheaton, Naperville, Aurora and Batavia.
Reached over the phone, Rutledge said she loves her work on the county board but decided that her focus should be on Winfield Township. When she vied for the supervisor position earlier this spring, Rutledge had always intended on stepping down but anticipated an overlap between the two roles to see through several county projects, she said.
In a statement, DuPage County Board Chair Deb Conroy said that she was notified Tuesday of Rutledge’s impending resignation.
“(Rutledge’s) collegial approach and dedication to the residents of District 6 is to be commended,” Conroy said. “We thank Member Rutledge for her service and wish her well as she focuses on her new role as Winfield Township supervisor.”
Rutledge said she will “always be grateful” for the time she spent as a board member. The position “created a new life” for Rutledge after her husband died in 2018, she said.
“Widowhood demands a new life,” she said. “The county board was my vehicle for that. … It was a wonderful, wonderful experience.”
Rutledge’s term was due to expire in December 2026. Her vacant seat will be filled by Conroy with the advice and consent of the board, according to the county. The new appointee must be a Democrat, the county said.
District 6 residents interested in seeking appointment to the board can email a resume and letter of no more than 300 words outlining their interest to Conroy at chair@dupagecounty.gov. The deadline for submission is 4:30 p.m. June 20.
News of Rutledge stepping down comes after Naperville Democrats Sadia Covert and Dawn DeSart confirmed earlier this month that they will be vying to keep their District 5 board seats in next year’s midterm elections.
Naperville City Councilman Ian Holzhauer has also announced that he will be challenging Covert for a four-year seat on the board.
