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Illinois, State House, District 56

Illinois House of Representatives District 56
Current incumbentMichelle Mussman Democratic Party

Illinois' fifty-sixth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Michelle Mussman.

Illinois state representatives represent an average of 108,734 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 105,248 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Illinois House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Illinois legislators assume office the second Wednesday in January.

Qualifications

Article IV of the Illinois Constitution states: "To be eligible to serve as a member of the General Assembly, a person must be a United States citizen, at least 21 years old, and for the two years preceding his election or appointment a resident of the district which he is to represent."

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$67,836/year$111/session day.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the house, the state constitution mandates that the seat must be filled by appointment when allowed by law. The appointment must be made within 30 days after the vacancy. All vacancies must be filled by a member of the same political party that last held the seat.

The vacancy must be filled by the respective party organizations covering the legislative district. This must be voted on by the respective committeemen and committeewomen representing the legislative district.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Illinois House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for March 17, 2020. The filing deadline was December 2, 2019.

2018

General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 56

Incumbent Michelle Mussman (D) defeated Jillian Bernas (R) in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 56 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Michelle Mussman (D)
58.9
21,352

Jillian Bernas (R)
41.1
14,923

Total votes: 36,275
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 56

Incumbent Michelle Mussman advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 56 on March 20, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Michelle Mussman (D)
100
8,361

Total votes: 8,361
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 56

Jillian Bernas defeated Charlotte Kegarise in the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 56 on March 20, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Jillian Bernas (R)
60.0
3,457

Charlotte Kegarise (R)
40.0
2,305

Total votes: 5,762

2016

Elections for the Illinois House of Representatives were held in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was November 30, 2015.

Incumbent Michelle Mussman defeated Jillian Bernas in the Illinois House of Representatives District 56 general election.

Illinois House of Representatives, District 56 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Michelle Mussman Incumbent 55.83% 24,890
Republican Jillian Bernas 44.17% 19,693
Total Votes 44,583
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections

Incumbent Michelle Mussman ran unopposed in the Illinois House of Representatives District 56 Democratic primary.

Illinois House of Representatives, District 56 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Michelle Mussman Incumbent (unopposed)
Jillian Bernas ran unopposed in the Illinois House of Representatives District 56 Republican primary.

Illinois House of Representatives, District 56 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Jillian Bernas (unopposed)


2014

Elections for the Illinois House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 18, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 2, 2013. Incumbent Michelle Mussman ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Jim Moynihan ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Mussman then defeated Moynihan in the general election.

Illinois House of Representatives District 56, General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMichelle Mussman Incumbent 51.5% 14,405
Republican Jim Moynihan 48.5% 13,592
Total Votes 27,997

2012

Elections for the office of Illinois House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on March 20, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 5, 2011. Incumbent Michelle Mussman (D) defeated John R. Lawson (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Illinois House of Representatives, District 56, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMichelle Mussman Incumbent 59.9% 24,138
Republican John R. Lawson 40.1% 16,164
Total Votes 40,302

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Illinois House of Representatives District 56 raised a total of $5,867,768. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $325,987 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Illinois House of Representatives District 56

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $1,865,031 2 $932,516
2014 $564,795 2 $282,398
2012 $535,640 2 $267,820
2010 $1,408,683 3 $469,561
2008 $1,108,117 3 $369,372
2006 $137,147 2 $68,574
2004 $42,358 1 $42,358
2002 $150,695 1 $150,695
2000 $55,302 2 $27,651
Total $5,867,768 18 $325,987