Former Sen. Eichorn removed as Iron Range board chairman

The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) will find a new chairman after Sen. Justin Eichorn was removed from the agency’s advisory board.

Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, was recently elected as chairman of the IRRRB, the “I-triple-R-B” to locals, which works on community revitalization and economic development in northeastern Minnesota. It’s a coveted role that community members hold in high esteem.

But in the fallout of criminal charges against Eichorn for soliciting prostitution from a minor as part of a sting operation, he resigned as senator.

The IRRRB advisory board consists of state senators and representatives. In a statement, the IRRRB said that with Eichorn’s resignation from the Senate he is no longer on the the board.

“As a result of today’s resignation by former Sen. Justin Eichorn from the Minnesota State Senate, he is no longer a state senator and therefore no longer the chair of the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Board,” the statement said.

Rep. Roger Skraba, vice chair of the IRRRB, called for a special meeting to reorganize the board and select a new chair.

The IRRRB has not set a date for the special meeting.

Eichorn was elected as IRRRB chairman in late February after having served on the board since 2017, when he first joined the state senate.

The state’s IRRR department and its advisory board of legislators have a unique role in assisting both public works projects and private businesses using proceeds from taconite production taxes, which are paid by mining companies in lieu of property taxes.