IRRR Board to name new chair after Eichorn's resignation

EVELETH — The advisory board of the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation will move to appoint a new chair after the resignation of Sen. Justin Eichorn.

Eichorn resigned from the Minnesota Senate on Thursday, March 20, hours before his first scheduled court appearance for a federal felony charge of soliciting a person under 18 for paid sex. He had been appointed chair of the board on Feb. 25, with Rep. Roger Skraba, R-Ely, elected vice chair. Eichorn had already been removed from the list of board members on the IRRR's website as of midday Thursday.

The Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Advisory Board consists of the state senators and representatives elected from districts in which one-third or more of the residents reside within the agency's service area. One additional state senator is appointed by the Majority Leader of the senate.

The IRRR is a state economic development agency that reinvests local taconite production taxes back into northeastern Minnesota businesses and communities in an effort to strengthen and diversify the economy. All expenditures and projects made by the commissioner are first submitted to IRRR Advisory Board. The service area encompasses 13,000 square miles in northeastern Minnesota, including 53 cities, 134 townships, portions of four tribal nations and 15 school districts.

In addition to Skraba, the board includes: Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis; Rep. Ben Davis, R-Mission Township; Sen. Robert Farnsworth, R-Hibbing; Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown; Rep. Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township; and Rep. Cal Warwas, R-Clinton Township.

According to a news release, Skraba initiated the call for a special meeting to reorganize the board and select a new chair. Additional information about the meeting will be provided at a later time, according to the IRRR.