Althoff wants another term in the Senate

SPRINGFIELD — State Sen. Pam Althoff, a McHenry Republican, said Thursday that she will run for re-election in 2012.

Althoff has represented McHenry County in the General Assembly for about 10 years. The newly drawn district she lives in now includes northwestern Lake County, in addition to McHenry County.

She said Thursday that the changes to her district didn’t complicate her decision.

“I have worked closely with the residents and lawmakers of Lake County over the years, through my work with the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership and other issues of local importance,” Althoff said.

Althoff was a top budget negotiator for the Senate Republicans in Springfield this year, and her caucus was the only one to reject the state’s spending plan outright.

No other candidates have publicly talked about running for the seat yet, as some lawmakers hurry to declare their 2012 campaign intentions early.