NEWS
Illinois Senate, House seats contested
Four hope to make a difference in the 23rd Senate, 45th House districts
Who are the candidates and what are their views?
Pamela Lannom compiled these responses from questionnaires.
Illinois Senate 23rd District Illinois House 45th District
Suzanne “Suzy” Linda Z. Polacek Martha “Marti” Gina Parrilli (R)
Glowiak Hilton (D) (R) Deuter (D)
Who is Gina
Who is Suzy Who is Linda Who is Marti Parrilli?
Glowiak Hilton? Polacek? Deuter? Republican Gina
The Democrat is Republican Linda Democrat Marti Parrilli is a village
a former Western Polacek is a Marine Deuter was elected to trustee in Westmont.
Springs trustee who Corps veteran, a York the state house in 2024 She works as a busi-
has served in the Illinois Senate Center Park District commission- after serving on the Elmhurst City ness development coordinator and
since 2019. She is a forensic engi- er and a member of the Villa Park Council from 2012-24. She is a board has a bachelor’s degree in organiza-
neer who holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Women’s Club, Villa Park Chamber of Commerce, Willowbrook High School member of the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau and a director tional leadership.
Illinois Institute of Technology and PTO and VFW Post 2801. In the past for the Downers Grove Economic Why is she running?
a master’s degree in manufactur- she has volunteered at her children’s Development Corp. A full-time rep- She cares deeply about the commu-
ing from Northwestern University. schools, in their activities and at her resentative, she has a bachelor’s nity and sees people worried about
She is an active member of the First church. degree from Ohio University and a property taxes, the cost of living, the
Congregational Church. A homemaker, she is a graduate master’s degree from the University of quality of schools, public safety and
of Lyons Township High School, the Chicago. whether Illinois is still a place where
Why is she running? College of DuPage and Northwestern their children will want to build a
Glowiak Hilton said it has been a Business College. Why is she running? future. She wants to be part of chang-
privilege to serve in the Illinois Senate. She wants to continue to build trust ing Springfield.
During her tenure, the state has Why is she running? in government and help bridge polit- “I believe government should be
received 12 credit ratings upgrades, She believes people deserve to feel ical polarization by being accessible, accountable to the people paying the
increased funding in public education heard by the people who represent listening to constituents’ concerns bills, local communities should have
and lowered the cost of prescription them. Her time as a park commission- and working for the public interest. a stronger voice in the decisions that
drugs. er has shown her the importance of “I have demonstrated my ability affect them and taxpayers deserve to
She said she has more to do. listening, asking questions, looking at to bring together stakeholders with know that their money is being spent
“I hope to continue to serve and facts and remembering that taxpayer differing perspectives and pass smart, responsibly,” she said.
lead the fight for true property tax dollars don’t grow on trees. thoughtful legislation that has my
relief, work to lower the cost of utili- “I’m not running because I think constituents’ best interests at heart,” Most important issue
ties for ratepayers and advance pol- I have all the answers. I’m running she said. • prioritize responsible spending,
icies that make Illinois a great place because I’m willing to listen, learn, ask transparency and accountability to
to work, live and raise a family,” she the sometimes uncomfortable ques- Most important issue make Illinois a more affordable place
said. “Government should make life tions and work toward practical solu- • expand economic opportuni- to live, work, raise a family and retire
easier for people, and I support that tions,” she said. “And, frankly, I think ties for residents and businesses, as
through services I bring to the district. we could all use a little more common sense and a little less political theater.” growth is critical to generating reve- nue needed to pay down the state’s Steps to address it • cap property taxes
Most important issues pension obligation and provide ser- • conduct a comprehensive audit
• improve affordability • pass tougher ethics Most important issue • affordability and making sure the vices residents expect of state spending to identify waste, duplication, unnecessary programs
• regulate AI and data centers to government is responsible with the Steps to address it and areas where spending can be
protect resources money it already has • leverage the state’s strengths reduced
(highly educated workforce, global • lower Illinois’ gas tax
Steps to address them Steps to address it transportation network, world class • repeal sanctuary policies and
• pass legislation to eliminate excess • focus on essential services universities, national laboratories) to restore cooperation between state,
units of government and reduce administrative costs • eliminate waste and duplication • improve efficiency attract new industries and encourage investment local and federal law enforcement
• strengthen the Legislative • make sure existing programs have • advocate for stronger partnerships Other top priorities
Inspector General’s Office to hold offi- measurable results between employers and educational • safety (repeal or revise SAFE-T
cials accountable for their behavior • push for property tax relief that institutions to better align workforce Act)
• work on common-sense regu- provides actual relief rather than mov- training with industry needs • education
lations to prevent data centers from ing the bill from one pocket to another • support economic development • pass reforms to address unfunded
causing an undue strain on water and initiatives pension liability
energy resources Other top priorities • promote infrastructure improve-
• be accessible and listen, even ments
Other top priorities when someone disagrees
• continue to modernize state • protect individual freedoms Other top priorities
licensing system for professionals that • give law enforcement the needed • increasing financial security for
require licensing by the state resources and support to keep com- families, seniors and young adults
• continue to secure grant money munities safe • increasing access to quality health
for improvement projects in the 23rd • advocate for veterans, strong care
District educational skills and give parents a • strengthening the state’s fiscal
meaningful voice in their children’s education stability
The Hinsdalean • October 15, 2026 • Page 5
The Hinsdalean • October 15, 2026 • Page 5 NEWS Illinois Senate 23rd District Illinois House 45th District Linda Z. Polacek (R) Who is Linda Polacek? Republican Linda Polacek is a Marine Corps veteran, a York Center Park District commission- er and a member of the Villa Park Women’s Club, Villa Park Chamber of Commerce, Willowbrook High School PTO and VFW Post 2801. In the past she has volunteered at her children’s schools, in their activities and at her church. A homemaker, she is a graduate of Lyons Township High School, the College of DuPage and Northwestern Business College. Why is she running? She believes people deserve to feel heard by the people who represent them. Her time as a park commission- er has shown her the importance of listening, asking questions, looking at facts and remembering that taxpayer dollars don’t grow on trees. “I’m not running because I think I have all the answers. I’m running because I’m willing to listen, learn, ask the sometimes uncomfortable ques- tions and work toward practical solu- tions,” she said. “And, frankly, I think we could all use a little more common sense and a little less political theater.” Most important issue • affordability and making sure the government is responsible with the money it already has Steps to address it • focus on essential services • eliminate waste and duplication • improve efficiency • make sure existing programs have measurable results • push for property tax relief that provides actual relief rather than mov- ing the bill from one pocket to another Other top priorities • be accessible and listen, even when someone disagrees • protect individual freedoms • give law enforcement the needed resources and support to keep com- munities safe • advocate for veterans, strong educational skills and give parents a meaningful voice in their children’s education Martha “Marti” Deuter (D) Who is Marti Deuter? Democrat Marti Deuter was elected to the state house in 2024 after serving on the Elmhurst City Council from 2012-24. She is a board member of the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau and a director for the Downers Grove Economic Development Corp. A full-time rep- resentative, she has a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago. Why is she running? She wants to continue to build trust in government and help bridge polit- ical polarization by being accessible, listening to constituents’ concerns and working for the public interest. “I have demonstrated my ability to bring together stakeholders with differing perspectives and pass smart, thoughtful legislation that has my constituents’ best interests at heart,” she said. Most important issue • expand economic opportuni- ties for residents and businesses, as growth is critical to generating reve- nue needed to pay down the state’s pension obligation and provide ser- vices residents expect Steps to address it • leverage the state’s strengths (highly educated workforce, global transportation network, world class universities, national laboratories) to attract new industries and encourage investment • advocate for stronger partnerships between employers and educational institutions to better align workforce training with industry needs • support economic development initiatives • promote infrastructure improve- ments Other top priorities • increasing financial security for families, seniors and young adults • increasing access to quality health care • strengthening the state’s fiscal stability Gina Parrilli (R) Who is Gina Parrilli? Republican Gina Parrilli is a village trustee in Westmont. She works as a busi- ness development coordinator and has a bachelor’s degree in organiza- tional leadership. Why is she running? She cares deeply about the commu- nity and sees people worried about property taxes, the cost of living, the quality of schools, public safety and whether Illinois is still a place where their children will want to build a future. She wants to be part of chang- ing Springfield. “I believe government should be accountable to the people paying the bills, local communities should have a stronger voice in the decisions that affect them and taxpayers deserve to know that their money is being spent responsibly,” she said. Most important issue • prioritize responsible spending, transparency and accountability to make Illinois a more affordable place to live, work, raise a family and retire Steps to address it • cap property taxes • conduct a comprehensive audit of state spending to identify waste, duplication, unnecessary programs and areas where spending can be reduced • lower Illinois’ gas tax • repeal sanctuary policies and restore cooperation between state, local and federal law enforcement Other top priorities • safety (repeal or revise SAFE-T Act) • education • pass reforms to address unfunded pension liability Suzanne “Suzy” Glowiak Hilton (D) Who is Suzy Glowiak Hilton? The Democrat is a former Western Springs trustee who has served in the Illinois Senate since 2019. She is a forensic engi- neer who holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in manufactur- ing from Northwestern University. She is an active member of the First Congregational Church. Why is she running? Glowiak Hilton said it has been a privilege to serve in the Illinois Senate. During her tenure, the state has received 12 credit ratings upgrades, increased funding in public education and lowered the cost of prescription drugs. She said she has more to do. “I hope to continue to serve and lead the fight for true property tax relief, work to lower the cost of utili- ties for ratepayers and advance pol- icies that make Illinois a great place to work, live and raise a family,” she said. “Government should make life easier for people, and I support that through services I bring to the district. Most important issues • improve affordability • pass tougher ethics • regulate AI and data centers to protect resources Steps to address them • pass legislation to eliminate excess units of government and reduce administrative costs • strengthen the Legislative Inspector General’s Office to hold offi- cials accountable for their behavior • work on common-sense regu- lations to prevent data centers from causing an undue strain on water and energy resources Other top priorities • continue to modernize state licensing system for professionals that require licensing by the state • continue to secure grant money for improvement projects in the 23rd District Illinois Senate, House seats contested Four hope to make a difference in the 23rd Senate, 45th House districts Who are the candidates and what are their views? Pamela Lannom compiled these responses from questionnaires.
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October 15, 2026 at 01:24AM
