State Rep. Carroll announces resignation
State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, a Democrat from Northbrook, announced Friday that he would resign shortly before midnight.
“This is a very difficult decision, but (it is) in the best interest of my family for our physical and mental health,” Carroll, who has represented the 57th District since 2017, said in a news release. “Being a father is my most important job and my children’s well-being is my most important responsibility.”
Carroll was appointed to the state House after Democrat Elaine Nekritz resigned. He was elected in 2018 and won reelection in 2020 and 2022.
In July, Carroll announced he wouldn’t seek reelection this year. He was facing a Democratic primary challenge from fellow Northbrook resident Tracy Katz Muhl. An attorney and former school board president, Katz Muhl already had garnered support from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Reps. Brad Schneider and Jan Schakowsky and state Sen. Laura Fine, among others.
Katz Muhl is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the March primary. No Republican filed to run.
Carroll had been expected to finish his term, which expires in January 2025. Just two weeks ago, he attended Vice President Kamala Harris’ holiday party in Washington D.C. and met Harris, Carroll reported on Facebook.
Katz Muhl said Carroll called her Friday morning, before the public announcement, to explain his reasons for stepping down. “I wish him and his family all the best,” she said.
Democratic Party leaders from Cook and Lake counties, including Katz Muhl, will select someone to serve the rest of Carroll’s term. In a phone interview Friday, Carroll said he expects Katz Muhl will be appointed to the post. “She has my full support,” he said.
Katz Muhl also had the support of Lake County Democratic Party Chair Lauren Beth Gash, who’s among the people who’ll choose Carroll’s successor.
“Since she will clearly be the nominee in the fall, to me Tracy’s the clear choice,” Gash said.
The 57th District covers all or parts of Glenview, Northbrook, Northfield, Wilmette, Winnetka, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Glencoe, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights and Wheeling.