# Illinois's 6th House of Representatives district

Illinois's 6th House of Representatives district is a Representative district within the Illinois House of Representatives located in Cook County, Illinois. It has been represented by Democrat Sonya Harper since 2015. The district was previously represented by Democrat Esther Golar from 2005 to 2015.
The district covers parts of Chicago, and of Chicago's neighborhoods, it covers parts of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Douglas, Englewood, Fuller Park, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Loop, Near North Side, Near South Side, Near West Side, New City, and West Englewood.

## Prominent representatives

| Representative | Notes |
| Zadok Casey | Elected the 4th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois (1830 – 1833) Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 2nd congressional district (1833 – 1843) Elected 14th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives (1849 – 1851) |
| Isham N. Haynie | Served as a brigadier general during the Civil War (1861 – 1863) |

## List of representatives
### 1849 – 1855

| Representative | Party | Party Control | Years | General Assembly (GA) | Electoral History | Counties Represented |
| 6th Representative district established electing 3 Representatives cumulatively with 1848 Illinois Constitution. |||||||
| John A. Campbell | Democratic | 3 Democrats | January 1, 1849 – January 6, 1851 | 16th | Elected in 1848 Was not re-elected in 1850. | Hamilton Jefferson Marion Wayne |
| Zadok Casey | Democratic | 3 Democrats | January 1, 1849 – January 3, 1853 | 16th 17th | Elected in 1848 Re-elected in 1850 Was not re-elected in 1852. | Hamilton Jefferson Marion Wayne |
| James J. Richardson | Democratic | 3 Democrats | January 1, 1849 – January 6, 1851 | 16th | Elected in 1848 Was not re-elected in 1850. | Hamilton Jefferson Marion Wayne |
| William L. Gas | Unknown | 2 Unknown 1 Democrat | January 6, 1851 – January 3, 1853 | 17th | Elected in 1850 Was not re-elected in 1852. | Hamilton Jefferson Marion Wayne |
| Isham N. Haynie | Unknown | 2 Unknown 1 Democrat | January 6, 1851 – January 3, 1853 | 17th | Elected in 1850 Was not re-elected in 1852. | Hamilton Jefferson Marion Wayne |
| Alexander Campbell | Democratic | 3 Democrats | January 3, 1853 – January 1, 1855 | 18th | Elected in 1852 Was not re-elected in 1854. | Hamilton Jefferson Marion Wayne |
| John Wilbanks | Democratic | 3 Democrats | January 3, 1853 – January 1, 1855 | 18th | Elected in 1852 Was not re-elected in 1854. | Hamilton Jefferson Marion Wayne |
| John A. Wilson | Democratic | 3 Democrats | January 3, 1853 – January 1, 1855 | 18th | Elected in 1852 Was not re-elected in 1854. | Hamilton Jefferson Marion Wayne |
| Apportionment of 1854 redistricts the district and only 1 Representative is elected. |||||||

### 1855 – 1873

| Representative | Party | Years | General Assembly (GA) | Electoral History | Counties Represented |
| Apportionment of 1854 redistricts the district and only 1 Representative is elected. ||||||
| James C. Holbrook | Republican | January 1, 1855 – January 5, 1857 | 19th | Elected in 1854 Was not re-elected in 1856. | Randolph |
| James H. Watt | Unknown | January 5, 1857 – January 3, 1859 | 20th | Elected in 1856 Was not re-elected in 1858. | Randolph |
| John E. Detrich | Democratic | January 3, 1859 – January 7, 1861 | 21st | Elected in 1858 Was not re-elected in 1860. | Randolph |
| Edmund Faherty | Unknown | January 7, 1861 – January 5, 1863 | 22nd | Elected in 1860 Was not re-elected in 1862. | Randolph |
| James M. Washburn | Unknown | January 5, 1863 – January 2, 1865 | 23rd | Elected in 1862 Was not re-elected in 1864. | Jackson Williamson |
| William H. Logan | Democratic | January 2, 1865 – January 7, 1867 | 24th | Elected in 1864 Was not re-elected in 1866. | Jackson Williamson |
| Hugh Gregg | Unknown | January 7, 1867 – January 4, 1869 | 25th | Elected in 1866 Was not re-elected in 1868. | Jackson Williamson |
| Edward L. Denison | Republican | January 4, 1869 – January 4, 1871 | 26th | Elected in 1868 Was not re-elected in 1870. | Jackson Williamson |
| William Schwartz | Republican | January 4, 1871 – January 8, 1873 | 27th | Elected in 1870 Was not re-elected in 1872. | Jackson |
| District abolished with 1872 Reapportionment as 3 Representatives were now elected cumulatively from Legislative districts. ||||||

### 1957 – 1973

| Representative | Party | Party Control | Years | General Assembly (GA) | Electoral History | Counties Represented |
| District re-established in 1957. |||||||
| John W. Carroll | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 9, 1957 – January 6, 1965 | 70th 71st 72nd 73rd | Elected in 1956 Re-elected in 1958 Re-elected in 1960 Re-elected in 1962 Redistricted to At-large district and re-elected in 1964. | Cook |
| Arthur E. Simmons | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 9, 1957 – January 6, 1965 | 70th 71st 72nd 73rd | Elected in 1956 Re-elected in 1958 Re-elected in 1960 Re-elected in 1962 Redistricted to At-large district and re-elected in 1964. | Cook |
| Thomas J. Halpin | Democratic | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 9, 1957 – January 7, 1959 | 70th | Elected in 1956 Retired. | Cook |
| Bernard M. Peskin | Democratic | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 7, 1959 – January 6, 1965 | 71st 72nd 73rd | Elected in 1958 Re-elected in 1960 Re-elected in 1962 Redistricted to At-large district and re-elected in 1964. | Cook |
| The district was temporarily abolished from 1965 to 1967 due to the Redistricting Commission in 1963 failing to reach an agreement. An at-large election was held electing 177 Representatives from across the state. |||||||
| Marjorie Pebworth | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 4, 1967 – January 8, 1969 | 75th | Redistricted from At-large district and re-elected in 1966 Retired. | Cook |
| Ralph A. Beezhold | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 4, 1967 – January 8, 1969 | 75th | Elected in 1966 Lost renomination in 1968. | Cook |
| Harry Yourell | Democratic | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 4, 1967 – January 10, 1973 | 75th 76th 77th | Elected in 1966 Re-elected in 1968 Re-elected in 1970 Redistricted to 8th Legislative district and re-elected in 1972. | Cook |
| Romie J. Palmer | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 8, 1969 – January 10, 1973 | 76th 77th | Elected in 1968 Re-elected in 1970 Redistricted to 8th Legislative district and re-elected in 1972. | Cook |
| Edward L. Kipley, Sr. | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 8, 1969 – January 10, 1973 | 76th 77th | Elected in 1968 Re-elected in 1970 Redistricted to 10th Legislative district and lost renomination in 1972. | Cook |
| District abolished with 1971 Reapportionment as Representatives were once again elected from Legislative districts. |||||||

### 1983 – Present

| Representative | Party | Years | General Assembly (GA) | Electoral History | Counties Represented |
| District re-established with representatives now elected one per district with the passage of the Cutback Amendment ||||||
| Bruce A. Farley | Democratic | January 12, 1983 – January 13, 1993 | 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th | Redistricted from 14th Legislative district and re-elected in 1982 Re-elected in 1984 Re-elected in 1986 Re-elected in 1988 Re-elected in 1990 Ran for Illinois Senate in the 17th Legislative district and won in 1992. | Cook |
| Shirley M. Jones | Democratic | January 13, 1993 – January 8, 2003 | 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd | Redistricted from 19th Representative district and re-elected in 1992 Re-elected in 1994 Re-elected in 1996 Re-elected in 1998 Re-elected in 2000 Retired. | Cook |
| Patricia Bailey | Democratic | January 8, 2003 – December 2005 | 93rd | Elected in 2002 Re-elected in 2004 Resigned during the 94th GA. | Cook |
| Patricia Bailey | Democratic | January 8, 2003 – December 2005 | 94th | Elected in 2002 Re-elected in 2004 Resigned during the 94th GA. | Cook |
| Vacant | Vacant | December 2005 | 94th | | Cook |
| Esther Golar | Democratic | December 2005 – September 21, 2015 | 94th | Appointed in 2005 Elected in 2006 Re-elected in 2008 Re-elected in 2010 Re-elected in 2012 Re-elected in 2014 Died. | Cook |
| Esther Golar | Democratic | December 2005 – September 21, 2015 | 95th 96th 97th 98th | Appointed in 2005 Elected in 2006 Re-elected in 2008 Re-elected in 2010 Re-elected in 2012 Re-elected in 2014 Died. | Cook |
| Esther Golar | Democratic | December 2005 – September 21, 2015 | 99th | Appointed in 2005 Elected in 2006 Re-elected in 2008 Re-elected in 2010 Re-elected in 2012 Re-elected in 2014 Died. | Cook |
| Vacant | Vacant | September 21, 2015 – October 20, 2015 | 99th | | Cook |
| Sonya Harper | Democratic | October 20, 2015 – Present | 99th | Appointed in 2015 Elected in 2016 Re-elected in 2018 Re-elected in 2020 Re-elected in 2022 | Cook |
| Sonya Harper | Democratic | October 20, 2015 – Present | 100th 101st 102nd 103rd | Appointed in 2015 Elected in 2016 Re-elected in 2018 Re-elected in 2020 Re-elected in 2022 | Cook |

## Historic District Boundaries

| Years | County | Municipalities/Townships |
| 2013 – present | Cook | Chicago (Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Douglas, Englewood, Fuller Park, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Loop, Near North Side, Near South Side, Near West Side, New City, and West Englewood) |
| 2003 – 2013 | Cook | Chicago |
| 1993 – 2003 | Cook | Chicago |
| 1983 – 1993 | Cook | Chicago |
| 1967 – 1973 | Cook | Calumet Township, parts of Stickney Township, parts of Thornton Township, and Worth Township |
| 1957 – 1965 | Cook | Barrington Township, Elk Grove Township, Hanover Township, parts of Leyden Township, Maine Township, Niles Township, parts of Northfield Township, parts of Norwood Park Township, Palatine, Schaumburg Township, and Wheeling Township |
| 1871 – 1873 | Jackson | Ava, Bradley, Carbondale, De Soto, Elkville, Fountain Bluff, Grand Tower, Makanda, Mt. Carbon, Murphysboro, Ora, Vergennes, Worthen, Worthington |
| 1863 – 1871 | Jackson Williamson | Bainbridge, Bolton, Bradley, Breesville, Brownsville, Carbondale, Crab Orchard, De Soto, Fredonia, Grand Tower, Jeffersonville, Locust Grove, Makanda, Marion, Mulberry Grove, Murphysboro, Sarahville, Sulphur Spa, Urlene, Vergennes, |
| 1855 – 1863 | Randolph | Chester, Cobb, Coulterville, Eden, Georgetown, Jones Creek, Jordan Grove, Kaskaskia, Liberty, Prairie du Rocher, Prairieville, Preston, Randolph, Red Bud, Ruma, Sparta, Steels Mills, Steuben |
| 1849 – 1855 | Hamilton Jefferson Marion Wayne | Bear Creek, Burnt Prairie, Bussville, Enterprise, Fairfield, Fredericktown, Griswold, Hickory Hill, Horse Prairie, Jordans Prairie, Kendall, Mantua, Marge Grove, Maulding's Mills, McLeansboro, Moores Prairie, Mount Vernon, Mt. Zion, New Franklin, Oxford, Palo Alto, Raccoon, Salem, Spring Garden, Wabash, Walnut Hill |

## Electoral history
### 2030 – 2022

2022 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Sonya Marie Harper (incumbent) | 16,019 | 86.58 | −13.42% |
| | Republican | Leonard Griffin | 2484 | 13.42 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,503 | 100.0 |

### 2020 – 2012

2020 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Sonya Harper (incumbent) | 32,219 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,219 | 100.0 |
2018 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Sonya Harper (incumbent) | 26,000 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,000 | 100.0 |
2016 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Sonya Harper (incumbent) | 32,904 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,904 | 100.0 |
2014 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Esther Golar (incumbent) | 19,159 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,159 | 100.0 |
2012 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Esther Golar (incumbent) | 31,283 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,283 | 100.0 |

### 2010 – 2002

2010 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Esther Golar (incumbent) | 14,920 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,920 | 100.0 |
2008 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Esther Golar (incumbent) | 22,395 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,395 | 100.0 |
2006 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Esther Golar (incumbent) | 16,793 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,793 | 100.0 |
2004 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Patricia A. Bailey (incumbent) | 23,445 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,445 | 100.0 |
2002 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Patricia Bailey | 17,234 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,234 | 100.0 |

### 2000 – 1992

2000 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Shirley M. Jones (incumbent) | 26,287 | 100.0 | +14.84% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,287 | 100.0 |
1998 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Shirley M. Jones (incumbent) | 19,183 | 85.16 | −4.92% |
| | Republican | Donald R. Oder | 3,344 | 14.84 | +4.92% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,527 | 100.0 |
1996 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Shirley M. Jones (incumbent) | 25,328 | 90.08 | −9.92% |
| | Republican | Bobby Belk | 2,790 | 9.92 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,118 | 100.0 |
1994 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Shirley M. Jones (incumbent) | 15,309 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,309 | 100.0 |
1992 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Shirley M. Jones (incumbent) | 28,012 | 100.0 | +25.33% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,012 | 100.0 |

### 1990 – 1982

1990 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Bruce A. Farley (incumbent) | 15,031 | 74.67 | +9.46% |
| | Republican | Terrence Melchiori | 5,100 | 25.33 | −9.46% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,131 | 100.0 |
1988 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Bruce A. Farley (incumbent) | 19,327 | 65.21 | +9.80% |
| | Republican | Daniel J. Kelley | 10,309 | 34.79 | +4.79% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,636 | 100.0 |
1986 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Bruce A. Farley (incumbent) | 13,135 | 55.41 | −4.63% |
| | Republican | Virginia V. Mann | 7,112 | 30.00 | −9.95% |
| | Allin Walker Party | Allin Walker | 3,457 | 14.58 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,704 | 100.0 |
1984 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Bruce A. Farley (incumbent) | 18,195 | 60.04 | −39.96% |
| | Republican | Virginia V. Mann | 12,109 | 39.95 | N/A |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 3 | 0.01 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,307 | 100.0 |
1982 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bruce A. Farley (incumbent) | 23,162 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,162 | 100.0 |

### 1970 – 1962

1970 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harry "Bus" Yourell (incumbent) | 68,221.5 | 30.78 |
| | Republican | Edward L. Kipley, Sr. | 62,202 | 28.07 |
| | Republican | Romie J. Palmer (incumbent) | 52,604 | 23.73 |
| | Democratic | Robert W. Carlson | 38,600 | 17.42 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 4 | 0.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 221,631.5 | 100.0 |
1968 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Romie J. Palmer | 94,969 | 34.09 |
| | Republican | Edward L. Kipley, Sr. | 74,746 | 26.83 |
| | Democratic | Harry "Bus" Yourell (incumbent) | 67,448 | 24.21 |
| | Democratic | Joseph W. Quilici | 41,430.5 | 14.87 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 278,593.5 | 100.0 |
1968 Illinois House of Representatives Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Romie J. Palmer | 14,271.5 | 50.56 |
| | Republican | Edward L. Kipley, Sr. | 7,040 | 24.94 |
| | Republican | Ralph A. Beezhold (incumbent) | 6,917 | 24.50 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,228.5 | 100.0 |
1966 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Marjorie Pebworth | 75,003.5 | 34.05 |
| | Republican | Ralph A. Beezhold | 64,453.5 | 29.26 |
| | Democratic | Harry (Bus) Yourell | 49,201.5 | 22.33 |
| | Democratic | Salvatore D. Rende, Jr. | 31,646.5 | 14.36 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 220,305 | 100.0 |
1962 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John W. Carroll (incumbent) | 169,044.5 | 35.93 |
| | Republican | Arthur E. Simmons (incumbent) | 151,458 | 32.19 |
| | Democratic | Bernard M. Peskin (incumbent) | 88,585.5 | 18.83 |
| | Democratic | David V. Tarr | 61,376.5 | 13.05 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 470,464.5 | 100.0 |

### 1960 – 1956

1960 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John W. Carroll (incumbent) | 190,708.5 | 35.32 |
| | Republican | Arthur E. Simmons (incumbent) | 159,076.5 | 29.46 |
| | Democratic | Bernard M. Peskin (incumbent) | 107,029.75 | 19.82 |
| | Democratic | Marshall Keehn | 83,149.25 | 15.40 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 539,964 | 100.0 |
1958 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Arthur E. Simmons (incumbent) | 101,311 | 33.93 |
| | Republican | John W. Carroll (incumbent) | 84,716.5 | 28.38 |
| | Democratic | Bernard M. Peskin | 57,413.5 | 19.23 |
| | Democratic | Harry L. Kinser | 55,111.5 | 18.46 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 298,552.5 | 100.0 |
1956 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John W. Carroll | 133,862.5 | 37.39 |
| | Republican | Arthur E. Simmons | 121,513 | 33.94 |
| | Democratic | Thomas J. Halpin | 55,663.5 | 15.55 |
| | Democratic | Harry L. Kinser | 46,944.5 | 13.11 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 357,983.5 | 100.0 |