Harvey Park District director named to replace Monica Gordon on Cook County Board

Kisha McCaskill, executive director of the Harvey Park District, was selected Friday evening to replace Monica Gordon as 5th District Cook County Board member.

McCaskill has been executive director since May 2015 and, according to her resume, is co-founder of the Democratic Women of the Southland Region.

Democratic party leaders from the 5th District had to pick a replacement for Gordon, who was sworn in last month as Cook County clerk.

They met at South Suburban College in South Holland, and McCaskill was one of five candidates seeking the position.

Hazel Crest Mayor Vernard Alsberry, who is not up for reelection this year due to term limits, was among the candidates. He is also Bremen Township Democratic Committeeman and had a vote in picking Gordon’s replacement.

Dolton Trustee Kiana Belcher, Chicago Heights Ald. Kelli Merrick and Rich Township Highway Commissioner Dennis White also sought to fill the board vacancy.

McCaskill audibly gasped after her selection was announced, and after taking the oath of office told Democratic leaders “I know it was not an easy decision.”

Speaking to the crowd, she said that “my job is going to be to serve you, from Roseland to Chicago Heights.”

After the announcement, Gordon said she believed McCaskill “will be a great addition to the board.”

“She will work to improve the quality of life for 5th District residents,” Gordon said.

McCaskill’s husband, Anthony McCaskill, previously was president of the Harvey Park Board and made an unsuccessful run for Harvey mayor in 2023.

McCaskill will serve the unexpired term of Gordon and will face election to a full term in 2026.

In April, Cook County Democrats voted for Gordon from among 15 hopefuls as the party’s nominee for the November special election to replace Karen Yarbrough, who died last spring.

Elected to the County Board in November 2022, Gordon was executive director of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, a trustee at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights and director of government relations at Chicago State University.

On the County Board, Gordon replaced retiring 5th District Commissioner Deborah Sims.

Sims was in the audience when the decision was announced, and McCaskill thanked her for “paving the way for women” on the County Board.

Dozens of people waited outside a conference room at the college Friday evening, as candidates presented resumes and qualifications and spoke to party leaders behind closed doors.

Belcher is running for reelection to a second term as Dolton trustee and explained before the Friday decision her reason for seeking the commissioner’s post. She said she didn’t believe, if she had been selected, she would be able to serve as both trustee and county commissioner.

“I have been a good advocate for the village as a trustee and I would like to extend my advocacy in the commissioner position,” she said.

Fellow Trustees Jason House, running for Dolton mayor, and Tammie Brown along with village Clerk Alison Key were with her at the selection meeting.

Merrick said she was an alderwoman for six years and is not up for reelection this year.

“I like to do good and I’ve been doing good stuff for Chicago Heights and wanted to expand on that and do good stuff in the 5th District for good people,” she said.

She said she was not sure, had she been picked, if she could serve on both the County Board and the City Council.

“I would still be able to bring good stuff to my community, but on a larger scale,” she said.

mnolan@southtownstar.com