Kane County Reporter

District 49 State House GOP candidate Kevin Wallace conceded in the race. 

Wallace lost to incumbent State Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia). 

“Congratulations to Rep. Maura Hirschauer on her victory," Wallace said on Facebook. "Last night’s results were not the outcome we hoped for, but my work for families continues as Mayor of Bartlett. I want to thank my family, friends, and supporters for their work on my campaign.”  

Hirschauer was reelected by 16,277 voters, 53.5 percent compared to 46.5 percent received by Wallace at 14,121 votes, based on election results provided by the Associated Press and reported by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

“I am running for state representative in the 49th district to bring my strong financial background and positive, pro-growth record as mayor to Springfield,” Wallace stated in a press release when he launched his campaign early this year, North Cook News reported. “Our state faces challenging times with our economy lagging behind neighboring states, education standards falling, and crime rates skyrocketing. To end the status quo, we need new representation to put Illinois on a responsible pathway toward a better tomorrow.” 

Wallace is a father, an active community member, and a business leader. He noted his experience directing departments for large financial institutions and running midsize businesses makes him an ideal candidate for the General Assembly.

Democrats said they have held their supermajorities in both houses of the General Assembly in the first general election held without the indicted former House Speaker, Michael Madigan. Republicans went into the election with high hopes but a number of seats were left unchallenged: only 78 of the 118 House seats were contested, and only 25 of 59 seats in the Senate were contested. The GOP made modest gains in the State Senate, but it wasn't enough as the Democrats still have a supermajority in Springfield.