# Illinois's 2nd House of Representatives district

Illinois's 2nd 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 Elizabeth Hernandez since January 11, 2023. The district was previously represented by Democrat Theresa Mah from 2017 to 2023.
The district covers parts of Berwyn, Brookfield, Chicago, Cicero, Lyons, McCook, Riverside, Stickney, and Summit, and of Chicago's neighborhoods, it covers part of Garfield Ridge.

## List of representatives
### 1849 – 1873

| Representative | Party | Years | General Assembly (GA) | Electoral History | Counties Represented |
| District established with 1848 Illinois Constitution ||||||
| Wesley Sloan | Independent | January 1, 1849 – January 3, 1853 | 16th 17th 18th | Elected in 1848 Re-elected in 1850 Re-elected in 1852 Was not re-elected in 1854 | Hardin Massac Pope |
| Wesley Sloan | Democratic | January 3, 1853 – January 1, 1855 | 16th 17th 18th | Elected in 1848 Re-elected in 1850 Re-elected in 1852 Was not re-elected in 1854 | Hardin Massac Pope |
| G. M. Gray | Whig | January 1, 1855 – January 5, 1857 | 19th | Elected in 1854 Was not re-elected in 1856 | Hardin Massac Pope |
| Wesley Sloan | Democratic | January 5, 1857 – January 3, 1859 | 20th | Elected back in 1856 Was not re-elected in 1858 | Hardin Massac Pope |
| William H. Green | Democratic | January 3, 1859 – January 5, 1863 | 21st 22nd | Elected in 1858 Re-elected in 1860 Was not re-elected in 1862 | Hardin Massac Pope |
| Thomas B. Hicks | Unknown | January 5, 1863 – January 2, 1865 | 23rd | Elected in 1862 Was not re-elected in 1864 | Johnson Massac Pope |
| William A. Looney | National Union | January 2, 1865 – January 7, 1867 | 24th | Elected in 1864 Was not re-elected in 1866 | Johnson Massac Pope |
| Phil. G. Clemens | Unknown | January 7, 1867 – January 4, 1869 | 25th | Elected in 1866 Was not re-elected in 1868 | Johnson Massac Pope |
| Jonathan C. Willis | Republican | January 4, 1869 – January 4, 1871 | 26th | Elected in 1868 Was not re-elected in 1870 | Johnson Massac Pope |
| William R. Brown | Republican | January 4, 1871 – January 8, 1873 | 27th | Elected in 1870 Was not re-elected in 1872 | Massac Pulaski |
| 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 |
| 2nd Representative district established in 1957. |||||||
| Terrel E. Clarke | 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 Re-elected to At-large district | Cook County |
| Harold A. Hoover | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 9, 1957 – March 8, 1962 | 70th 71st 72nd | Elected in 1956 Re-elected in 1958 Re-elected in 1960 Passed away on March 8, 1962 | Cook County |
| Frank X. Downey | Democratic | 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 Re-elected to At-large district | Cook County |
| 1 Vacancy | 1 Vacancy | 1 Republican 1 Democrat | March 8, 1962 – ??? | 72nd | | Cook County |
| Don A. Moore | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 9, 1963 – January 6, 1965 | 73rd | Elected in 1962 Re-elected to At-large district | Cook County |
| 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. |||||||
| Richard A. Walsh | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 4, 1967 – January 10, 1973 | 75th 76th 77th | Elected in 1966 Re-elected in 1968 Re-elected in 1970 Re-districted to the 5th district | Cook County |
| Edward Bluthardt | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 4, 1967 – January 10, 1973 | 75th 76th 77th | Elected in 1966 Re-elected in 1968 Re-elected in 1970 Re-districted to the 5th Legislative district and won re-election in 1972 | Cook County |
| James Kirie | Democratic | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 4, 1967 – January 13, 1971 | 75th 76th | Re-districted from At-large district and re-elected in 1966 Re-elected in 1968 Retired and served as commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago | Cook County |
| Raymond J. Welsh, Jr. | Democratic | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 13, 1971 – January 10, 1973 | 77th | Elected in 1970 Ran for Illinois Senate 21st district in 1972 and won | Cook County |
| 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 |
| Representatives were now elected one per district with the passage of the Cutback Amendment ||||||
| William Laurino | Democratic | January 12, 1983 – January 13, 1993 | 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th | Redistricted from 15th district and won re-election in 1982 Re-elected in 1984 Re-elected in 1986 Re-elected in 1988 Re-elected in 1990 Redistricted to 15th district and won re-election in 1992. | Cook |
| Benjamin A. "Ben" Martinez | Democratic | January 13, 1993 – ??? | 88th 89th | Redistricted from 20th district and won re-election in 1992 Re-elected in 1994 Out of office before 1996 election | Cook |
| Edward Acevedo | Democratic | January 8, 1997 – January 10, 2017 | 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th | Elected in 1996 Re-elected in 1998 Re-elected in 2000 Re-elected in 2002 Re-elected in 2004 Re-elected in 2006 Re-elected in 2008 Re-elected in 2010 Re-elected in 2012 Re-elected in 2014 Retired | Cook |
| Theresa Mah | Democratic | January 10, 2017 – January 11, 2023 | 100th 101st 102nd | Elected in 2016 Re-elected in 2018 Re-elected in 2020 Re-districted to the 24th district and won re-election in 2022. | Cook |
| Elizabeth Hernandez | Democratic | January 11, 2023 – present | 103rd | Redistricted from the 24th district and elected in 2022 | Cook |

## Historic district boundaries

| Years | County | Municipalities/Townships |
| 2023 – present | Cook | Berwyn, Brookfield, Chicago (Garfield Ridge), Cicero, Lyons, McCook, Riverside, Stickney, Summit |
| 2013 – 2023 | Cook | Chicago (Armour Square, Bridgeport, Brighton Park, Lower West Side, McKinley Park, Near South Side, Near West Side, and New City) |
| 2003 – 2013 | Cook | Chicago |
| 1993 – 2003 | Cook | Chicago |
| 1983 – 1993 | Cook | Chicago |
| 1967 – 1973 | Cook | Leyden Township, Norwood Park Township, parts of Oak Park Township, River Forest Township |
| 1957 – 1965 | Cook | Bremen Township, Lemont Township, Lyons Township, Orland Township, Palos Township, parts of Stickney Township, Worth Township |
| 1871 – 1873 | Massac Pulaski | Ash Ridge, Brooklyn, Burkeville, Fort Massac, Grand Chain (New Grand Chain), Hickory Grove, Hillerman, Junction, Metropolis, New Columbia, Mound City, North Caledonia, Pellonia, Pulaski, Ullin, Unionville, Villa Ridge, Wetaug |
| 1863 – 1871 | Johnson Massac Pope | Bay City, Big Bay, Brooklin, Georges Creek, Golconda, Hamletsburg, Hillerman, Metropolis, Morgantown, New Liberty, Oakstown, Reynoldsburg, Rock Quarry, Stonefort, Vienna, Webster |
| 1849 – 1863 | Hardin Massac Pope | Belgrade, Bay City, Bay (Big Bay), Cave-In-Rock, Elizabethtown, Georges Creek, Golconda, Hillerman, Marthas, Massac, McCormick Settlement (McCormick), Metropolis, New Liberty, Oakton, Pond Slough, Rock Quarry, Rosiclare, Twitchell's Mill, |

## Electoral history
### 2030 — 2022

2022 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez | 16,412 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,412 | 100.0 |

### 2020 – 2012

2020 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Theresa Mah (incumbent) | 25,771 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,771 | 100.0 |
2018 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Theresa Mah (incumbent) | 20,455 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,455 | 100.0 |
2016 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Theresa Mah | 23,813 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,813 | 100.0 |
2014 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward J. Acevedo (incumbent) | 12,081 | 100.0 | +0.05% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,081 | 100.0 |
2012 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward J. Acevedo (incumbent) | 18,559 | 99.95 | −0.05% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 10 | 0.05 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,569 | 100.0 |

### 2010 – 2002

2010 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward J. Acevedo (incumbent) | 10,711 | 100.0 | +17.12% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,711 | 100.0 |
2008 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward J. Acevedo (incumbent) | 16,327 | 82.88 | −17.12% |
| | Green | Ante "Tony" Marijan | 3372 | 17.12 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,699 | 100.0 |
2006 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward J. Acevedo (incumbent) | 12,001 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,001 | 100.0 |
2004 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward J. Acevedo (incumbent) | 14,462 | 100.0 | +16.81% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,462 | 100.0 |
2002 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward J. Acevedo (incumbent) | 11,052 | 83.19 | −16.81% |
| | Republican | George J. Preski | 2234 | 16.81 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,286 | 100.0 |

### 2000 – 1992

2000 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward J. Acevedo (incumbent) | 11,489 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,489 | 100.0 |
1998 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward J. Acevedo (incumbent) | 7,019 | 100.0 | +16.42% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,019 | 100.0 |
1996 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward Acevedo | 10,274 | 83.58 | +8.61% |
| | Republican | Nancy Mercado | 2017 | 16.41 | −8.61% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,291 | 100.0 |
1994 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Benjamin A. "Ben" Martinez (incumbent) | 5,950 | 74.97 | −1.70% |
| | Republican | George J. Preski | 1986 | 25.02 | +1.70% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,936 | 100.0 |
1992 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Benjamin A. "Ben" Martinez (incumbent) | 10,262 | 76.67 | −23.33% |
| | Republican | George J. Preski | 3122 | 23.32 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,384 | 100.0 |

### 1990 – 1982

1990 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | William J. Laurino (incumbent) | 17,620 | 100.0 | +32.85% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,620 | 100.0 |
1988 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | William J. Laurino (incumbent) | 22,661 | 67.15 | −5.17% |
| | Republican | Anthony J. Barango, Jr. | 11,083 | 32.84 | +5.17% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 33,744 | 100.0 |
1986 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | William J. Laurino (incumbent) | 19,249 | 72.32 | +9.69% |
| | Republican | Fawn V. Hurst | 7,365 | 27.67 | −9.70% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,614 | 100.0 |
1984 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | William J. Laurino (incumbent) | 22,824 | 62.63 | −37.36% |
| | Republican | Kenneth R. Hurst | 13,618 | 37.37 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,442 | 100.0 |
1982 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William J. Laurino (incumbent) | 26,095 | 99.99 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 2 | 0.01 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,097 | 100.0 |

### 1970 – 1962

1970 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Edward E. Bluthardt (incumbent) | 57,715 | 35.80 |
| | Democratic | Raymond J. Welsh, Jr. | 55,289 | 34.29 |
| | Republican | Richard A. Walsh (incumbent) | 48,211.5 | 29.90 |
| | Democratic | Ray Willas | 34,937 | 21.67 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 7 | 0.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 161,222.5 | 100.0 |
1968 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard A. Walsh (incumbent) | 79,507.5 | 32.12 |
| | Republican | Edward E. Bluthardt (incumbent) | 63,746.5 | 25.75 |
| | Democratic | James C. Kirie (incumbent) | 59,619.5 | 24.09 |
| | Democratic | Robert F. Martwick [Sr.] | 44,642.5 | 18.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 247,516 | 100.0 |
1966 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard A. Walsh | 70,792 | 33.44 |
| | Republican | Edward E. Bluthardt | 60,378.5 | 28.52 |
| | Democratic | James C. Kirie (incumbent) | 46,350 | 21.89 |
| | Democratic | Raymond J. Welsh, Jr. | 34,200 | 16.15 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 211,720.5 | 100.0 |
1962 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Terrel E. Clarke (incumbent) | 94,400.5 | 31.05 |
| | Republican | Don A. Moore | 86,773.5 | 28.54 |
| | Democratic | Frank X. Downey (incumbent) | 63,643.5 | 20.93 |
| | Democratic | Harold W. Mance | 59,188.5 | 19.47 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 304,006 | 100.0 |

### 1960 – 1956

1960 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Terrell E. Clarke [sic] (incumbent) | 112,854 | 29.28 |
| | Republican | Harold A. Hoover (incumbent) | 98,703 | 25.61 |
| | Democratic | Frank X. Downey (incumbent) | 94,169.5 | 24.43 |
| | Democratic | John P. Dohm | 79,714 | 20.68 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 385,440.5 | 100.0 |
1958 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Terrel E. Clarke (incumbent) | 65,860 | 28.94 |
| | Democratic | Frank X. Downey (incumbent) | 57,888 | 25.44 |
| | Republican | Harold A. Hoover (incumbent) | 57,185.5 | 25.13 |
| | Democratic | Clara C. Smollen | 55,650 | 24.45 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 227,583.5 | 100.0 |
1956 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Terrel E. Clarke | 93,427.5 | 32.15 |
| | Republican | Harold A. Hoover | 88,282.5 | 30.38 |
| | Democratic | Frank X. Downey | 58,337 | 20.07 |
| | Democratic | Galvin Kennedy | 50,590.5 | 17.41 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 290,637.5 | 100.0 |