POL, Lightford to be appointed to higher office? [4th SEN]

I heard a rumor that Governor Rod Blagojevich is considering appointing Senator Kimberly Lightford to a statewide education position.

Has anyone heard the details of this?

If there was a vacancy the Democratic Committeemen that hold the most power (weighted vote) in determining the replacement senator are:

1. Proviso (Karen Yarbrough)
2. 28th Ward (Ed Smith)
3. 29th Ward ("Ike" Carothers)
4. Oak Park (Don Harmon)

Other committeemen who have a vote include Berwyn, River Forest, Riverside and the 36th Ward.

[UPDATE: This was covered in yesterday's Chicago Tribune (Diane Rado)

As chair of the Senate Education Committee, Lightford (D-Maywood) plays a powerful role in determining school policy in Illinois. But she does not have a background as a teacher and school administrator--one of the chief criteria set by the Illinois State Board of Education.

The board's chairman, Jesse Ruiz, said Thursday that he has heard concerns from at least one board member about candidates who do not have education backgrounds and about the "politicization" of the process of selecting a new schools superintendent.

[Comments on the possibility of Lightford being appointed? Who should the committeemen appoint to the vacancy?]