# Illinois's 7th House of Representatives district

Illinois's 7th House of Representatives district is a Representative district within the Illinois House of Representatives located in Cook County, Illinois and DuPage County, Illinois. It has been represented by Democratic Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch since January 9, 2013. Democrat Cory Foster was the previous incumbent for a couple of months.
Located in the Chicago metropolitan area, the district covers all or parts of Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Elmhurst, Forest Park, Hillside, Hinsdale, La Grange Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, Oak Brook, River Forest, Westchester, and Western Springs.

## Prominent representatives

| Representative | Notes |
| John Cullerton | Elected President of the Illinois Senate (2009 – 2020) |
| Emanuel Chris Welch | Elected the 70th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives (2021 – present) |

## List of representatives
### 1849 – 1873

| Representative | Party | Years | General Assembly (GA) | Electoral History | Counties Represented |
| 7th Representative district established with 1848 Illinois Constitution. ||||||
| Samuel Snowden Hayes | Democratic | January 1, 1849 – January 6, 1851 | 16th | Elected in 1848 Was not re-elected in 1850. | White |
| Samuel H. Martin | Unknown | January 6, 1851 – January 3, 1853 | 17th | Elected in 1850 Was not re-elected in 1852. | White |
| Daniel L. Jones | Democratic | January 3, 1853 – January 1, 1855 | 18th | Elected in 1852 Was not re-elected in 1854. | White |
| P. E. Hosmer | Democratic | January 1, 1855 – January 5, 1857 | 19th | Elected in 1854 Was not re-elected in 1856. | Perry Washington |
| Hawkins S. Osborn | Unknown | January 5, 1857 – January 3, 1859 | 20th | Elected in 1856 Was not re-elected in 1858. | Perry Washington |
| John D. Wood | Democratic | January 3, 1859 – January 7, 1861 | 21st | Elected in 1858 Was not re-elected in 1860. | Perry Washington |
| Orson Kellogg | Unknown | January 7, 1861 – January 5, 1863 | 22nd | Elected in 1860 Was not re-elected in 1862. | Perry Washington |
| James R. Ford | Unknown | January 5, 1863 – January 2, 1865 | 23rd | Elected in 1862 Was not re-elected in 1864. | Clinton Washington |
| Isaac Miller | Union | January 2, 1865 – January 7, 1867 | 24th | Elected in 1864 Was not re-elected in 1866. | Clinton Washington |
| Daniel Hay | Unknown | January 7, 1867 – January 4, 1869 | 25th | Elected in 1866 Was not re-elected in 1868. | Clinton Washington |
| George Gundlach | Republican | January 4, 1869 – January 4, 1871 | 26th | Elected in 1868 Was not re-elected in 1870. | Clinton Washington |
| Addison Reese, Jr. | Democratic | January 4, 1871 – January 8, 1873 | 27th | Elected in 1870 Was not re-elected in 1872. | Williamson |
| 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. |||||||
| Frances L. Dawson | 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 Ran in the At-large district election and won re-election in 1964. | Cook |
| Marion E. Burks | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 9, 1957 – January 9, 1963 | 70th 71st 72nd | Elected in 1956 Re-elected in 1958 Re-elected in 1960 Ran for Republican nomination in Illinois's 13th congressional district in 1962 and lost. | Cook |
| Jeanne Hurley Simon | Democratic | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 9, 1957 – January 4, 1961 | 70th 71st | Elected in 1956 Re-elected in 1958 Retired. | Cook |
| Robert Marks | Democratic | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 4, 1961 – January 6, 1965 | 72nd 73rd | Elected in 1960 Re-elected in 1962 Retired. | Cook |
| Alan R. Johnston | Republican | 2 Republicans 1 Democrat | January 9, 1963 – January 6, 1965 | 73rd | Elected in 1962 Ran in the At-large district election and won re-election 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. |||||||
| Joseph G. Sevcik | 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 Redistricted to the 7th Legislative District and re-elected in 1972. | Cook |
| Henry Klosak | 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 Redistricted to the 7th Legislative District and re-elected in 1972. | Cook |
| Gerald W. Shea | 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 the 7th Legislative District and re-elected 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 ||||||
| John Cullerton | Democratic | January 12, 1983 – January 31, 1991 | 83rd 84th 85th 86th | Redistricted from 12th Legislative district and re-elected in 1982 Re-elected in 1984 Re-elected in 1986 Re-elected in 1988 Re-elected in 1990 Appointed to the 6th Legislative district in 1991. | Cook |
| John Cullerton | Democratic | January 12, 1983 – January 31, 1991 | 87th | Redistricted from 12th Legislative district and re-elected in 1982 Re-elected in 1984 Re-elected in 1986 Re-elected in 1988 Re-elected in 1990 Appointed to the 6th Legislative district in 1991. | Cook |
| Vacant | Vacant | January 31, 1991 – 1991 | 87th | | Cook |
| Ann Stepan | Democratic | 1991 – January 13, 1993 | 87th | Appointed in 1991 Retired. | Cook |
| Eugene Moore | Democratic | January 13, 1993 – January 1999 | 88th 89th 90th | Elected in 1992 Re-elected in 1994 Re-elected in 1996 Re-elected in 1998 Appointed Cook County Recorder of Deeds in January 1999. | Cook |
| Eugene Moore | Democratic | January 13, 1993 – January 1999 | 91st | Elected in 1992 Re-elected in 1994 Re-elected in 1996 Re-elected in 1998 Appointed Cook County Recorder of Deeds in January 1999. | Cook |
| Vacant | Vacant | January 1999 – January 29, 1999 | 91st | | Cook |
| Wanda Sharp | Democratic | January 29, 1999 – January 10, 2001 | 91st | Appointed in 1999 Lost renomination in 2000. | Cook |
| Karen Yarbrough | Democratic | January 10, 2001 – December 2012 | 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th | Elected in 2000 Re-elected in 2002 Re-elected in 2004 Re-elected in 2006 Re-elected in 2008 Re-elected in 2010 Elected Cook County Recorder of Deeds in 2012 and resigned in December. | Cook |
| Karen Yarbrough | Democratic | January 10, 2001 – December 2012 | 97th | Elected in 2000 Re-elected in 2002 Re-elected in 2004 Re-elected in 2006 Re-elected in 2008 Re-elected in 2010 Elected Cook County Recorder of Deeds in 2012 and resigned in December. | Cook |
| Vacant | Vacant | December 2012 – December 2012 | 97th | | Cook |
| Cory Foster | Democratic | December 2012 – January 9, 2013 | 97th | Appointed in 2012 for the remainder of Yarbrough's term. | Cook |
| Emanuel Chris Welch | Democratic | January 9, 2013 – present | 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd | Elected in 2012 Re-elected in 2014 Re-elected in 2016 Re-elected in 2018 Re-elected in 2020 Re-elected in 2022 | Cook |

## Historic District Boundaries

| Years | County | Municipalities/Townships |
| 2023 – present | Cook DuPage | Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Elmhurst, Forest Park, Hillside, Hinsdale, La Grange Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, Oak Brook, River Forest, Westchester, Western Springs |
| 2013 – 2023 | Cook DuPage | Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Forest Park, Hillside, La Grange Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, Oak Brook, River Forest, Westchester, Western Springs |
| 2003 – 2013 | Cook | Chicago |
| 1993 – 2003 | Cook | Chicago |
| 1983 – 1993 | Cook | Chicago |
| 1967 – 1973 | Cook | Parts of Berwyn Township, Cicero Township, parts of Lyons Township, parts of Proviso Township, Riverside Township, and parts of Stickney Township |
| 1957 – 1965 | Cook | Evanston Township, New Trier Township, and parts of Northfield Township |
| 1871 – 1873 | Williamson | Attila, Bainbridge, Blainesville, Bolton, Carterville, Crab Orchard, Fredonia, Grainville, Jeffersonville, Loeust Grove, Marion, Sarahsville, Sugar Creek, Sulphur Spring, |
| 1863 – 1871 | Clinton Washington | Ashley, Aviston, Breese, Carlyle, Clement, Clifton, Collins, Coloma, Covington, Elkhorn, Glass, Grants Point, Hoyleton, Jamestown, Keyesport, Looking Glass, Nashville, Okaw (Okawville), Pleasant Grove, Richview, Sassafras Hill, Trenton, Venedy, Wertenberg |
| 1855 – 1863 | Perry Washington | 9 Mile Prairie, Appleton, Ashley, Centralia, Colonia, Covington, Denmark, Du Quoin, Elkhorn, Galum, Grand Cote, Grand Point, Mt. Hawkins, Nashville, Okaw (Okawville), Old Du Quoin, Pinckneyville, Prairie, Richview, St. Johns, Sassafras Hill, Tamaroa, Venedy |
| 1849 – 1855 | White | Bon Pas, Burnt Prairie, Carmi, Concord, Duncanton, Emma, Enfield, Grayville, Phillipstown, Tecumseh |

## Electoral history
### 2030 – 2022

2022 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) | 25,112 | 77.69 | −22.31% |
| | Republican | Eddie L. Kornegay, Jr. | 7210 | 22.31 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,322 | 100.0 |

### 2020 – 2012

2020 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) | 43,883 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,883 | 100.0 |
2018 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) | 35,678 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,678 | 100.0 |
2016 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) | 39,914 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 39,914 | 100.0 |
2014 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) | 26,839 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,839 | 100.0 |
2012 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Emanuel "Chris" Welch | 35,505 | 100.0 | +11.65% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,505 | 100.0 |

### 2010 – 2002

2010 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Karen A. Yarbrough (incumbent) | 25,260 | 88.35 | −11.65% |
| | Independent | Princess Cynthia Dempsey | 3,332 | 11.65 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,592 | 100.0 |
2008 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Karen A. Yarbrough (incumbent) | 40,054 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,054 | 100.0 |
2006 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Karen A. Yarbrough (incumbent) | 24,769 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,769 | 100.0 |
2004 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Karen A. Yarbrough (incumbent) | 37,105 | 100.0 | +15.25% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,105 | 100.0 |
2002 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Karen A. Yarbrough (incumbent) | 22,582 | 84.75 | −15.25% |
| | Republican | Byron F. Reed | 4,062 | 15.25 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,644 | 100.0 |

### 2000 – 1992

2000 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Karen A. Yarbrough | 31,789 | 100.0 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,789 | 100.0 |
2000 Illinois House of Representatives Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Karen A. Yarbrough | 5,733 | 45.33 |
| | Democratic | Wanda J. Sharp (incumbent) | 5,435 | 42.97 |
| | Democratic | William B. Sullivan | 1,479 | 11.69 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,647 | 100.0 |
1998 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Eugene Moore (incumbent) | 23,701 | 100.0 | +15.47% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,701 | 100.0 |
1996 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Eugene "Gene" Moore (incumbent) | 26,498 | 84.53 | +5.46% |
| | Republican | June Edvenson | 4,851 | 15.47 | −5.46% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,349 | 100.0 |
1994 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Eugene "Gene" Moore (incumbent) | 16,102 | 79.07 | +4.10% |
| | Republican | Joann Tate | 4,261 | 20.93 | +5.63% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,363 | 100.0 |
1992 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Eugene Moore | 28,265 | 74.97 | −1.52% |
| | Republican | Lorenzo S. Littles | 5,767 | 15.30 | −8.21% |
| | Harold Washington | Loretta A. Ragsdell | 3,670 | 9.73 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,702 | 100.0 |

### 1990 – 1982

1990 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John J. Cullerton (incumbent) | 16,018 | 76.49 | +3.61% |
| | Republican | Robert N. Oberg | 4,923 | 23.51 | −3.61% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,941 | 100.0 |
1988 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John J. Cullerton (incumbent) | 25,545 | 72.88 | −3.36% |
| | Republican | Cornelius J. Tanis | 9,503 | 27.12 | +3.36% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,048 | 100.0 |
1986 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John J. Cullerton (incumbent) | 16,654 | 76.24 | +11.01% |
| | Republican | Cornelius J. Tanis | 5,189 | 23.76 | −5.98% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,843 | 100.0 |
1984 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John J. Cullerton (incumbent) | 22,848 | 65.23 | −22.92% |
| | Republican | Steven Baer | 10,416 | 29.74 | N/A |
| | Citizens | Paul R. Baker | 1,763 | 5.03 | −4.74% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,027 | 100.0 |
1982 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John J. Cullerton (incumbent) | 22,463 | 88.15 |
| | Citizens | Bruce D. Kaplan | 2,489 | 9.77 |
| | Communist | Richard L. Giovanoni | 530 | 2.08 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,482 | 100.0 |

### 1970 – 1962

1970 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joseph G. Sevcik (incumbent) | 70,029 | 32.59 |
| | Republican | Henry J. Klosak (incumbent) | 59,760 | 27.81 |
| | Democratic | Gerald W. Shea (incumbent) | 53,204.5 | 24.76 |
| | Democratic | Stanley F. Rocush | 31,903 | 14.85 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 2 | 0.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 214,898.5 | 100.0 |
1968 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Henry J. Klosak (incumbent) | 87,690 | 32.84 |
| | Republican | Joseph G. Sevcik (incumbent) | 85,102 | 31.87 |
| | Democratic | Gerald W. Shea (incumbent) | 56,537.5 | 21.17 |
| | Democratic | Frank S. Belmonte | 37,682 | 14.11 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 267,011.5 | 100.0 |
1966 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joseph G. Sevcik | 83,135 | 35.45 |
| | Republican | Henry J. Klosak | 75,902 | 32.36 |
| | Democratic | Gerald W. Shea | 40,090.5 | 17.09 |
| | Democratic | Frank J. Baley | 35,415 | 15.10 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 234,542.5 | 100.0 |
1962 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Frances L. Dawson (incumbent) | 74,180.75 | 39.11 |
| | Republican | Alan R. Johnston | 61,271.75 | 32.30 |
| | Democratic | Robert Marks (incumbent) | 34,332.25 | 18.10 |
| | Democratic | Eugene R. Ward | 19,904.25 | 10.49 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 189,689 | 100.0 |

### 1960 – 1956

1960 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Frances L. Dawson (incumbent) | 86,025 | 37.54 |
| | Republican | Marion E. Burks (incumbent) | 72,480 | 31.63 |
| | Democratic | Robert Marks | 38,469.75 | 16.79 |
| | Democratic | Ada Quiat Meyers | 32,164.25 | 14.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 229,139 | 100.0 |
1958 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Frances L. Dawson (incumbent) | 64,649.5 | 40.82 |
| | Republican | Marion E. Burks (incumbent) | 48,234 | 30.46 |
| | Democratic | Jeanne C. Hurley (incumbent) | 30,097.5 | 19.00 |
| | Democratic | Esther E. Jennings | 15,392 | 9.72 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 158,373 | 100.0 |
1956 Illinois House of Representatives election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Frances L. Dawson | 83,235 | 40.01 |
| | Republican | Marion E. Burks | 71,681.5 | 34.46 |
| | Democratic | Jeanne C. Hurley | 27,372 | 13.16 |
| | Democratic | Russell Packard | 25,733 | 12.37 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 208,021.5 | 100.0 |