Politics & Government

Vice Chair of Naperville Democrats Running for State Rep

Carole Cheney is the fifth candidate to enter the race for the 84th District.

Aurora resident, Carole Cheney announced that she will join the state's 84th Representative District race. She is the fifth candidate to enter the race for the seat.

Cheney, vice chair of the Naperville Township Democrats, ran for DuPage County Board chairman in 2010. She highlighted job creation as the most important issue facing the state. 

“I have spoken with a troubling number of friends and neighbors who have either had their hours cut or have lost their jobs altogether,” Cheney said in a news release. “Career politicians and establishment candidates have left us with a multibillion-dollar fiasco on our hands. Now is a vital time to send qualified candidates with fresh ideas to Springfield.”

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She is a partner at the law firm Kirkland and Ellis and lives in Aurora with her two sons, Daniel and Jack.

“My involvement in the community combined with my professional experience in the public, nonprofit, and business sectors makes me a uniquely qualified candidate,” Cheney said. 

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The Aurora Beacon-News recently reported that four candidates had entered the race for the new district. Those candidates include: Ken Maurice, the city of Aurora’s youth and senior services coordinator; Aurora Alderwoman Stephanie Kifowit; and former Aurora Township Democrats Chairman Alex Arroyo who will run in the Democratic primary. Former nurse Pat Fee of Aurora announced earlier this month that she is running in the Republican primary.

Fee, the only Republican candidate, serves on the board of directors of Naperville’s public television channel, .

In a news release Fee said addressing the budget will be one of her priorities.

“I am running for state representative because Illinois needs new leadership focused on creating jobs, repealing the income tax hike and restoring fiscal responsibility in Springfield,” Fee said. “Illinois is moving in the wrong direction. It’s time state government starts paying bills on time, stabilizing and securing the public pension systems and stops borrowing. We can and must do better.” 

The new 84th Representative District was created to address the large population growth in the area and has no incumbent. The district includes a portion of south Naperville. To determine whether you are in the 84th Representative District you can enter your address in an interactive map on state Rep. Tom Cross’ website.


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