Johnson poised to reclaim county treasurer post

Johnson, who was elected to five terms as county treasurer from 1994 to 2011, was selected over another candidate during a DeKalb County Republican caucus Saturday at the Best Western Inn in DeKalb. Thirty-eight of the 48 Republican precinct committeemen were present.

Republicans have control over filling the position because former county Treasurer Mark Todd was a Republican. Todd, who won election in November, is pursuing a job in Hawaii where his wife already works.

DeKalb County Board Chairman Jeff Metzger, R-Sandwich, said he would make the formal nomination at Wednesday’s County Board executive committee meeting. Should the nomination pass out of committee, the full County Board would then vote on the appointment Feb. 20.

Johnson, R-Shabbona, left the treasurer post in February 2011 to fill a vacant Illinois Senate seat in the 35th District. Johnson was defeated in the Republican primary in March by Dave Syverson of Rockford.

Metzger said Johnson’s 17 years of experience in the position made her the best candidate.

Several candidates inquired about the position, but many said they would withdraw their name if Johnson pursued the seat because they supported her past work, Metzger said.

“The main thing is experience,” Metzger said. “Obviously, the Republican side felt very confident about her.”

DeKalb County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Pietrowski Jr. said party members would discuss the nomination and decide whether they would support it by the Feb. 20 vote.

“I don’t have any reservations right now, and I think it would be nice to have someone who knows the office step right in,” Pietrowski said. “But we’ll look at the information more, talk with members and do a little research before the vote.”

Steve Kuhn, chairman of the county Republicans, said Johnson’s electability also played into her nomination. He said she showed commitment to running in the 2014 election, and her track record of success in local races made her a good choice.

“She views this as where she wants to be,” Kuhn said. “She’s level-headed and open and very approachable. I think it will be a pretty smooth nomination.”