Democrat Declares Victory In Elmhurst-Based District

ELMHURST, IL – Democrat Jenn Ladisch Douglass declared victory over Republican state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi late last week in the House District 45 race.

Mazzochi, who took office in 2018, has yet to publicly concede. She can seek a recount at her expense.

Douglass said the Nov. 8 election results were certified Tuesday in DuPage and Cook counties.

"I am extremely grateful for the support and trust voters have placed in me, and I am excited to start the work of representing this district," Douglass said in a statement on Thanksgiving. "I look forward to working with area residents to support their needs and to find solutions to issues important for the district and state."

About 30 people commented on Douglass' statement on Facebook. Among them was state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, a Western Springs Democrat who said she looked forward to working with Douglass. Hilton's district includes Elmhurst.

Douglass and Mazzochi have not returned Patch's requests for comment in the last few weeks. Both are from Elmhurst.

Douglass won with 50.4 percent of the vote. Her margin of victory was 365 votes out of more than 43,000 cast.

In her final year, Mazzochi showed up at Elmhurst school board meetings to denounce the district's curriculum, calling for the superintendent to "clean house."

In the fall, Mazzochi did not respond to a request to take part in a candidates forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Elmhurst. Douglass was willing to participate in the face-off.

A week after the election, Mazzochi sued the DuPage County Clerk's office over the way it verified signatures on mail ballots. A lower court judge sided with her.

District 45 includes all or parts of Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs and Westmont, among other towns.