Few incumbent legislators in the south and southwest suburbs will see primary challengers in the March election, according to candidate filings Monday.
In the 82nd House District, incumbent Rep. John Egofske, who is Lemont mayor, said Monday he will resign from the seat as of this Friday.
Egofske said in September he would not seek election next year in order to focus on his duties as mayor, a position he has held since 2017.
He had appointed as representative in February to replace Jim Durkin. After Egofske said he would not run, Suzanne Akhras filed to run in the Democratic primary and former Homer Glen Trustee Nicole La Ha filed in the Republican primary.
In a statement, Egofske said that a public appointment process by the party officials will be initiated to determine who will succeed him before the Illinois House reconvenes for spring session on Jan. 16.
In the 27th House District, incumbent state Rep. Justin Slaughter is being challenged in the Democratic primary by Tawana “TJ” Robinson. The district includes all or portions of Crestwood, Midlothian and Orland Park.
In the 28th House District, incumbent Rep. Robert “Bob” Rita faces a challenge in the Democratic primary from Paris Walker Thomas, of Blue Island.
The district includes all or portions of Blue Island, Calumet Park, Dixmoor, Riverdale and Robbins.
Longtime state Rep. Thaddeus Jones, who is also Calumet City mayor, is challenged in the 29th House District Democratic primary by Calumet City resident Gloria White. The district includes all or portions of Burnham, Calumet City, Dolton, Ford Heights and Glenwood.
Incumbent state Rep. Mary Flowers will be challenged in the Democratic primary in the 31st House District by Michael Crawford and Mark Hamberlin. The district includes all or portions of Hickory Hills, Hometown and Justice.
In the 35th House District, incumbent Rep. Mary Gill faces a challenge in the Democratic primary from Chicago resident David Dewar. Gill was appointed representative in March after the resignation of Fran Hurley. Also running in the 35th is Republican Herbert Hebein, a retired Chicago police officer who challenged Hurley in 2018, 2020 and 2022.
Incumbent state Sen. Patrick Joyce is challenged in the Democratic primary by Kimberly Earling while Philip Nagel is the lone candidate filing in the Republican primary.
In the 36th House District, incumbent Rep. Kelly Burke is not seeking reelection. Vying to replace her in the Democratic primary are Sonia Anne Khalil of Palos Hills and Rick Ryan of Evergreen Park. In the Republican primary, Christine McGovern Shanahan of Oak Lawn is running unopposed.
The district includes Chicago’s Beverly community and Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos Hills.
In the 37th House District, incumbent Rep. Tim Ozinga is opposed in the Republican primary by August O’Neill Deuser of Mokena. The district includes all or portions of Homer Glen, Mokena, New Lenox and Orland Hills.
In the 30th House District, incumbent Rep. William “Will” Davis does not face a primary challenger while Patricia Bonk, of Midlothian, is the sole Republican running. Bonk challenged Davis in the 2022 election. The district includes all or portions of Dolton, Flossmoor, Harvey, Hazel Crest and Homewood.
Incumbent state Rep. Nicholas “Nick” Smith is unopposed in the Democratic primary in the 35th House Distrct, while Frederick Walls is unopposed in the Republican primary. Walls, of Crete, ran unsuccessfully against Smith in 2022. The district includes all or portions of Burnham, Calumet City, Lynwood and Sauk Village.
In the 38th House District, incumbent Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin is unopposed in the Democratic primary while Frankfort resident Jensen Venskus is the only candidate in the Republican primary. The district includes all or portions of Country Club Hills, Frankfort, Hazel Crest
In the 79th House District, which includes Monee, Richton Park and University Park and stretches south into Kankakee, incumbent Rep. Jackie Haas is unopposed in the Republican primary, but several candidates have lined up in the Democratic primary: Larry Kerkstra, Dylan Mill, William “Billy” Morgan, Robert Ellington-Snipes and Genevra Walters.
In the 80th House, incumbent Rep. Anthony DeLuca is unopposed in the Democratic primary while Adam Beaty is the lone candidate in the Republican primary. The district includes Chicago Heights, Crete, Monee and Park Forest.
In the 85th House District, incumbent Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar is unopposed in the Republican primary while Chris Metcalfe is the sole candidate in the Republican primary.
In the 19th Senate District, where Democrat Michael Hastings has filed for reelection, Republicans Samantha Jean Gasca, Hillary Mattsey Kurzawa and Max Solomon have filed to compete in their party’s primary race.
In the 43rd Senate District, incumbent Rachel Ventura is unopposed in the primary and Jennifer “Jen” Monson is the only candidate who filed in the Republican primary.
For Congress, incumbent U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Chicago, is being challenged in the Democratic primary in the 1st District by Marcus Lewis.
In the 2nd Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson, will face Ashley Ramos in the Democratic primary.
In the 6th District, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, is being challenged in the Democratic primary by Mahnoor Ahmad, while Niki Conforti is unopposed in the Republican primary.