Rev. Ira Acree, West Side faith leader, seeks Johnson’s county board seat

Rev. Ira J. Acree, co-chair of the Leaders Network, a West Side social justice and faith-based group, and pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church, is seeking to replace Brandon Johnson on the Cook County Board of Commissioners once Johnson is sworn as mayor of Chicago.

“I’ve already sent a letter of interest to (Cook County Clerk) Karen Yarbrough,  and I’ve already spoken to the president of the Senate Don Harmon,” Acree told the Austin Weekly News on Wednesday.

Harmon (39th) serves as the Oak Park committeeperson, while Yarbrough serves as the Proviso Township committeeperson. They are both part of the Democratic party committee that will appoint Johnson’s replacement, as previously reported. In a weighted vote, the two suburban committeepersons control a majority of the votes needed to make the appointment.

In Chicago, Acree has secured the support of Ald. Emma Mitts (37^th) and Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29^th), he said. Those wards are a significant part of the city portion of the county’s 1^st District.

A prominent West Side civil rights leader with more than 30 years advocating for social justice and improved quality of life on the greater West Side, Acree said he has the talent for the role. He is working to get the support needed to be appointed as the new commissioner, appealing to stakeholders and Democratic party committeepersons responsible for the selection.

“It is no secret that I have spent years, just like Brandon Johnson, committed to ending the tale of the two cities. I have a body of work that backs that up,” he said.

Acree said he shares a progressive agenda with Johnson that will allow him to continue working to improve the quality of life for residents of Cook County’s 1^st district. If appointed, he is certain the relationships he has built with faith and political leaders throughout the county will help him keep the seat in the long run.

“He’ll be mayor and me fulfilling his vacancy, it’s like a natural fit,” he said.

Earlier this week, The Triibe published an interview with Marshall Hatch, Jr. in which he said he would pursue appointment to Johnson’s county board seat. Hatch is the son of Rev. Marshall Hatch, pastor of New Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church and a co-chair with Acree of the Leaders Network.

Also interested in the seat is Zerlina Smith-Members, a longtime West Side political activist and like Acree and Hatch, Jr. a part of the Leaders Network.