Elmhurst State Lawmaker Bowing Out

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst's state representative has decided against running for a second two-year term. Meanwhile, an Elmhurst alderwoman is planning to run for the seat.

Jenn Ladisch-Douglass, an Elmhurst Democrat, released a statement in September stating she would not seek re-election to represent District 45, which includes Elmhurst and parts of Hinsdale, Western Springs and Westmont, among other towns.

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On Oct, 30, Ward 1 Elmhurst Alderwoman Marti Deuter set up an account with the state Board of Elections to run in March as a Democrat in District 45.

Last year, Ladisch-Douglass narrowly defeated then-Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, an Elmhurst Republican. Months earlier, Mazzochi made local headlines when she urged Elmhurst School District 205's superintendent to "clean house" because of what the lawmaker considered ideologically biased lessons.

In a news release in September, Ladisch-Douglass said she loved her work, but made the difficult decision not to seek re-election.

She said she wanted to focus on her family. But she promised to serve the people of the district and state through the end of her term in January 2025.

In an interview Monday, Ladisch-Douglass said she had wanted to run again, but multiple family members are ill.

"I want to make sure the community is served," she said. "I care for the community."

In an email to Patch, Deuter said her 10 years on the City Council have given her an understanding of the issues that are important to the community.

"During this campaign, I’m committed to engaging with residents across the district and listening to their concerns and hopes for our state," she said. "Together, I’m confident we can realize the potential of Illinois and create a future that reflects our shared values and needs."

District 45 is considered a battleground between the Democratic and Republican parties. For such seats, the parties' establishments like to clear the primary field for their preferred candidates, so they can focus their fundraising on the general election. It's unclear whether Deuter is the party establishment's choice.

Patch left an emailed message with Mazzochi about whether she plans to run to reclaim her old seat, which she held for four years. Mazzochi, who did not publicly acknowledge her 2022 loss, has about $9,000 in her campaign account, according to elections board records.

In her news release, Ladisch-Douglass said, among other things, she passed a law reducing the co-pay cap on a 30-day supply of insulin to $35, from $100, for state-regulated health plans.

"I think if you are passionate about change and are in a position to impact the lives and well-being of residents and families throughout this state, it’s worth the personal sacrifices," Ladisch-Douglass said in the release. "I am so very proud of the change I helped to lead during my first session and can say confidently that I did what I was sent to Springfield to do."