South Cook News

Republican candidate Kenneth Yerkes took to Facebook to thank his supporters after his loss in the 31st House District race.

"Getting 50 percent in #TheSuburbsOfChicago is an accomplishment, especially running against a #Democrat Candidate, #IllinoisRepresentativeMaryFlowers who has served 38 years, soon to be 40 years, the amount of time I have been blessed to have been married to my best friend forever, #AngelMyLove," Yerkes posted.

Incumbent Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) received 19,912 votes over Yerkes' 6,019 with 97% of the vote counted, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as of this writing. Flowers had 76.8% of the vote, and Yerkes had 23.2% in a district that spans the South Side of Chicago, Gresham, Marycrest, Oak Lawn, Bridgeview, Palos Hills, Hickory Hills, and Justice.

"Thank You to All Of You who Voted for me in Suburban Cook County in #IllinoisDistrict31," Yerkes added.

He also congratulated Flowers and closed his post by stating "I learned that it will always be, for me, #PeopleAndPrinciplesOverMoneyAndPower."

Yerkes, a dentist campaigned, on fighting crime. In 2018, he was a write-in candidate for the 3rd Congressional District. 

In a race notable for the absence of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Democratic Party kept supermajorities in both houses of the General Assembly. 

According to the Chicago Tribune, on election night, House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westcheter) said, "We know that when we fight, we win — and tonight, that couldn’t be more true. House Democrats have fought tirelessly for working families and have secured important legislative wins to protect reproductive rights, rebuild our infrastructure, fund critical public safety initiatives, and so much more." 

"The people have spoken," Senate President Don Harmon said. "Now it’s time to get to work governing."

On the heels of Republican losses across the state, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) announced he would not seek another term as leader.

"It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as leader of the House Republican caucus, but it’s time for the Illinois Republican Party to rebuild with new leaders who can bring independents back to the party that are needed to bring change to the state," he said. 

Republicans went into the election with high hopes; however only 78 of the 118 House seats were contested, and in the Senate, only 25 of 59 seats were contested.