Elmhurst Democrat Set To Assume House Seat

ELMHURST, IL – Don't expect any dramatic announcements on the outcome of the discovery recount in the Elmhurst-based District 45 state representative race.

State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, an Elmhurst Republican, requested the partial recount, which started Tuesday and is expected to end Thursday.

Her Democratic opponent, Jenn Ladisch Douglass, an Elmhurst Democrat, was certified the winner in late November. Douglass is set to take office Jan. 11.

In an interview Thursday, DuPage County Chief Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson said Mazzochi can put together notes from the discovery recount, which involves up to 25 percent of precincts in House District 45.

Johnson said the clerk's office lets both sides take a look at its records. But the certified results remain the same, he said.

Mazzochi, he said, can go to a state court to seek a full recount based on the information she obtains.

Johnson said Douglass did not attend the recount, while Mazzochi and two of her lawyers did, Johnson said.

In the Nov. 8 election, Douglass prevailed with 50.4 percent of the vote, according to certified returns. That's a margin of 365 votes out of more than 43,000.

In late November, Douglass declared victory after the county certified the results.

Both candidates have kept a low profile since the election.

Mazzochi has not posted on her campaign Facebook page in 36 days.

She has not returned messages for comment.