CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — The University of Illinois Board of Trustees has had an empty seat unfilled for about a year now.
The News-Gazette reports that the board is preparing to elect new officers Thursday in Chicago. But Gov. Bruce Rauner has yet to choose an appointee for the ninth statewide seat vacated last January.
A Rauner spokeswoman said Tuesday the administration is still considering candidates for the vacancy.
Three members’ terms expired last January. Rauner has appointed a Democrat and a Republican to fill two of those seats. The board currently has four Republicans, two Democrats and two independents. State law allows up to five of the nine trustees to be from the same political party.
The board has been able to approve budgets, hire administrators and conduct other matters despite the vacancy.