New Lawmaker For Burr Ridge, Darien, Western Springs

BURR RIDGE, IL – Republican Nicole La Ha Zwiercan is the new state representative for the 82nd House District, which includes parts of Burr Ridge, Darien and Western Springs.

She will be like many of her colleagues, joining the state legislature initially through party insiders, not voters.

On Dec. 8, Republican state Rep. John Egofske, Lemont's mayor, resigned after 10 months on the job. That gave the GOP the right to choose his replacement.

La Ha Zwiercan, who was the only candidate to run in next March's Republican primary, was also the sole applicant for the position, a party spokesman said. Area Republicans selected her Wednesday at a Lemont meeting.

She is a former Homer Glen trustee, the 2022 Mrs. America and the former Illinois State Senate secretary. She has Egofske's endorsement.

The 82nd seat was long held by Republican Jim Durkin of Western Springs, who was also the House's GOP leader. He resigned after being re-elected last year.