Martha 'Marti' Deuter: 2026 candidate for Illinois House District 45

Bio

Office sought: House District 45

Party: Democrat

City: Elmhurst

Age: 53

Previous offices held: Alderman for Elmhurst City Council 2012-2024, State Representative 2024-Present

Q&A

What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing the state in the next four years, and how should they be addressed?

The most pressing issues facing Illinois are increasing financial security for our families, seniors, and young adults; increasing access to quality health care; and strengthening the state’s fiscal stability. We need to tackle these issues head on by increasing economic opportunities, cutting the cost of insurance practices, and passing disciplined, responsible state budgets.

How would you assess the General Assembly's handling, to date, of the various proposals surrounding a Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights? What proposals would you have been willing to support and in what ways, if any, might you have approached it differently?

While I understand wanting to keep our teams at home, I believe we have to weigh that goal against the broader priorities of our residents, including the growing financial pressures facing families.

Now roughly three years into the elimination of cash bail in Illinois as part of the SAFE-T Act, how would you assess the success or failure of the criminal justice reform measure? What changes, if any, would you support?

It is important to acknowledge that the SAFE-T Act was a broad overhaul to our criminal justice system. Any legislation that enacts sweeping reforms needs to be monitored throughout its implementation and adjusted as areas for improvement are identified. I am committed to hearing feedback from our judges, law enforcement officers, lawyers, and community members to better understand what changes need to be made in order to strengthen our public safety and protect our communities.

Illinois homeowners face one of the highest relative property tax burdens in the country. What specific proposals could you offer to ease the burden on state residents?

The highest line item on a property tax bill is almost always for public schools. We need to prioritize the state’s funding for education to lower the amount of money that school districts will need to rely on taxpayers for. The state should also consider increasing the flexibility for use of hotel taxes collected by non-home rule municipalities, as doing so would lower the costs that taxpayers have to pay. Lastly, I have directed $3 million in capital grants to local units of government in my district so that they are able to fund necessary infrastructure projects. This approach to capital funding allows important work to be done at the local level without depending on property taxes to cover the cost.

Gov. JB Pritzker recently paused a state initiative granting incentives to data center developers, and residents statewide have concerns about how such developments are affecting their access to water, utility rates, and the environment. How should the state approach data centers going forward?

It is imperative that Illinois adjusts to the rapidly growing technology market. Data centers are a big part of keeping up, but we always need to put residents and our communities first. There are clear benefits to data centers if they are regulated properly, notably through the property taxes tech companies would pay into the community. In order for Illinois to reap those benefits while controlling for the inherent downsides, data centers should provide their own energy source to avoid shifting the cost of electricity onto Illinois residents and establish efficient water usage that does not impact local drinking water supply.

Illinois’ “sanctuary” policies concerning immigration have made it a target for the Trump administration and critics who say they encourage criminal behavior. How do you feel about those policies, and how, if at all, would you change them?

I believe our first responsibility is keeping Illinois communities safe. Local law enforcement should be focused on preventing crime, responding to emergencies, and building the necessary trust for residents to report crimes and cooperate with investigations. At the same time, immigration enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility, and our local police should not be asked to serve as federal immigration agents.

I support policies that protect due process and ensure that immigrant families can interact with schools, hospitals, and law enforcement without fear. I also believe individuals who commit serious crimes should be held accountable, regardless of their immigration status. I would continue to evaluate our laws to ensure they strike that balance: protecting our communities, respecting constitutional rights, and allowing local law enforcement to focus its resources on public safety.

Many women in the legislature complain about a culture of sexual harassment in Springfield. Do you see evidence of this and, if so, what should be done about it?

As of today, 54 of the 118 seats in the State House are held by women. Though we are making remarkable progress in creating a space that is welcoming and safe for women by electing women, we are simply not where we need to be. We need to thoroughly review our existing sexual harassment reporting policies so that we can protect our workers and respond effectively when complaints of misconduct are made.

Are you satisfied with the state's existing ethics policies for senators and representatives? If so, what about the policies should reassure Illinoisans that elected leaders abide by high standards? If not, what changes need to be made?

Building trust with constituents is about more than just passing laws. People need to believe that their elected officials are accessible, listening to their concerns, and working for the public interest. We absolutely need changes to our current ethics processes. I filed legislation during my first year in the General Assembly that would give subpoena power to the Legislative Inspector General, add a member of the public to the Legislative Ethics Commission, and require every founded report be released to the public. I strongly believe in these changes and am committed to improving our processes in Springfield.

What personal qualifications do you bring that would make you an effective legislator?

I have diligently and effectively served as the State Representative for District 45 for the past two years. Prior to being elected to my current position, I served nearly 12 years on the Elmhurst City Council. Voters want to be represented by someone who is honest, has integrity, puts the public interest ahead of their own, and sees the value in compromise. This approach has always guided my work in my elected positions as I have worked hard to bring people together and get things done.