Former Calumet Township Assessor Jackie Collins returned to the post on Thursday via her caucus victory in a two-way race to find a replacement for the late Assessor Cozey Weatherspoon.
Weatherspoon, who was elected in 2022, died unexpectedly on Jan. 23.
Collins was seated by a vote of 26 to 17 against the office’s current Chief of Staff Sondra Ford. Lake County Democratic Party Chair Jim Wieser said 43 of the township’s 50 precinct committee members were on hand to make the decision. Collins needed a majority plus one, or 23 votes, to secure the seat.
“It’s almost always a great turnout in Gary. They know their politics, which I sure appreciate,” Wieser said.
The caucus took place at the Calumet Township Community Center in Gary in front of a standing-room crowd.
Some of the audience cheered after a passionate speech by Ford, who said rumors she forced members of her staff to write a letter of support to local media were untrue, and the 13 out of 20 staff members who did so chose to endorse her of their own volition.
Ford decried the undervaluing of property in Gary, such as the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, which sits outside of the city in Calumet Township. She said it cost $450 million to build and is only assessed for $50 million.
“We need that assessed value,” Ford said.
Collins touted her experience and qualifications. She worked in the office for almost 20 years before she replaced former Assessor Booker Blumenberg when he did not seek reelection in 2010. She served eight years in the office. She has obtained multiple certifications and is a real estate agent.
She called the letter slanderous.
She disagreed with Ford’s claim that the assessment for Hard Rock casino negatively impacts the city’s coffers because the property is in a different taxing district than the city’s.
“I have always believed in accountability and knowledge,” Collins said. “I stressed quality work.”
After the count, the two women shook hands.
Collins thanked her supporters and said she was looking forward to getting back to work.
“I’m very passionate about the city of Gary. I’m very passionate about doing a good job,” Collins said.
cnapoleon@chicago tribune
