Crespo beats Baumer in rematch for 44th District

Hoffman Estates Democrat Fred Crespo has won re-election to the 44th District state House seat over a repeat challenge from Streamwood Republican and Hanover Township Clerk Katy Dolan Baumer.

With 89.1 percent of precincts reporting, Crespo's 15,549 votes represented 65.5 percent of the total, to Baumer's 8,205.

During the campaign, both Baumer and Crespo explained why they expected some of their votes to come from independents and members of the opposite party.

Baumer said she believed residents of all political persuasions were fed up with current leadership ruining a state with all of Illinois' positive attributes through taxes and unfair property assessments.

The Streamwood resident added that she'd acquired a reputation for trustworthiness through her elected positions in Hanover Township and the Poplar Creek Public Library.

Crespo said he believed his bipartisan appeal came from becoming a known commodity as a community volunteer, former Hoffman Estates trustee and a state representative for 12 years.

Crespo said that in addition to creating and supporting legislation that's had statewide impact, he's worked on a bill that helped secure more business for Schaumburg's convention center, coordinated funding for an educational work center in Hanover Park, helped negotiate a full tollway interchange at Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates, and created more funding for the Streamwood Park District.