Republican Ives defeats Democrat Adams in 42nd House District

A West Point graduate who says she wasn’t afraid to ask the right questions on the Wheaton City Council says she’ll do the same in Springfield as the new representative in the 42nd state House District.

Jeanne Ives, a tax adviser who defeated three opponents in the Republican primary, claimed victory Tuesday over Democratic challenger William Adams, an accountant from Wheaton, in a race for a 2-year term representing the 42nd District.

With all precincts reporting, unofficial results show Ives had 62 percent of the vote to Adams’ 38 percent.

Ives said her top priority will be pension reform, and that she favors a move to a defined contribution system, eliminating cost-of-living increases and giving those who have invested into the system more options.

“I will be a voice for the taxpayers down there in every committee I’m on and in every discussion about what we’re doing to move the state to a better financial path,” Ives said.

She said she plans to resign from her seat on the city council by Nov. 30 in order for the seat to be up for election in April, per state statute.

Ives received the political backing of the Illinois Liberty PAC, managed by Republican political consultant and WLS radio host Dan Proft, which provided her with about $9,000 in campaign funds.

Adams largely self-funded his campaign, and ran without the endorsement of powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The newly drawn district covers parts of Carol Stream, Lisle, Naperville, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield.