Mazzochi Projected Winner Over Democrat Jim Caffrey

ELMHURST, IL — Republican Deanna Mazzochi is the projected winner of the Illinois House 47th Districe race. She defeated Democratic candidate Jim Caffrey in Tuesday's race. Mazzochi was sworn in in July after former Rep. Patti Bellock announced she would retire.

Mazzochi ran unopposed in the Republican primary in March and was chosen to fulfill the remainder of Bellock's term. Mazzochi is an Elmhurst resident and has also served on the board at College of DuPage. Mazzochi is also a founding partner of Rakoczy Molino Mazzochi Siwik LLP. She has a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

"I look forward to a day when Springfield is full of citizen legislators who are innovation and future-focused. Who make decisions and embrace policies that safeguard our neighborhoods, strengthen our education system and attract jobs and investment," Mazzochi said at her swearing in ceremony. "I want Illinois to be a state that calls the next generation home. Illinois has great people, great resources and great potential. I am so honored we can be on a journey together to bring proven reform to Illinois."

Election Results

With 120 of 120 precincts reporting:

• Mazzochi - 25,727
• Caffrey - 23,527

Return to Patch for the latest vote tally. Subscribe to free News Alerts for election results. The polls open at 6 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m. NOTE: Tuesday's results are unofficial and do not include provisional and late absentee ballots.

Caffrey is also an Elmhurst resident and has served as a Clorox account manager, Peace Crops volunteer and national political organizer, according to his website. Patch reported when Caffrey first announced his candidacy in 2017.

Caffrey states on his website that his priorities include: "selecting a Speaker of the House, putting an end to gerrymandering and getting the state's finances in order." Caffrey has a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a MBA from Boston University.

The 47th District runs along the eastern portion of DuPage County and includes Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, and Westmont. It also includes a small portion of Western Springs in Cook County.

Remember: You cannot vote online in Illinois (or anywhere else in the U.S., for that matter), and anyone who says otherwise is lying.

Know your voting rights

If you're already registered to vote, you do not need to show your ID in order to cast your ballot — you only need to state your name and address. However, there are limited circumstances in which a voter can be asked for identification, including those who are registering on Election Day, and those voting for the first time after registering by mail. But even in those instances, a voter without ID may cast a provisional ballot, according to the ACLU of Illinois.

People with criminal records in Illinois — including felonies — are eligible to vote once they have completed their sentences (but should re-register to vote upon their release). That includes people who are on probation or parole. Those who have been arrested or charged with a crime but not convicted can also vote, including many of those being held in county jail.