Arlington Heights Actuary Announces Run For IL House District 53

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — As a resident of the district for the past 29 years, Elizabeth Bauer believes her knowledge of the 53rd District makes her the right candidate to represent it in Springfield. The Arlington Heights resident announced Monday she is hoping to secure the Republican nomination for the Illinois State House of Representatives race in next year's election, challenging current State Rep. Nicolle Grasse (D-Arlington Heights) in the process.

'Illinois' government is chock-full of people with good intentions, who love the state and its people. But good intentions aren't enough," Bauer said in an email to Patch regarding her candidacy. "The state's economy is stagnant, we’re losing not just residents but disproportionately taxpayers to other states. We've created dangerous dependencies on gambling and cannabis for tax revenue, and the state's own five-year projections anticipate billions in annual deficits. This presents a clear and present danger not just for today's residents, but more importantly for our children and the next generation."

The 53rd District comprises Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows and Mount Prospect, Des Plaines, Palatine and Schaumburg.

Grasse, a former member of the Arlington Heights Village Board, won a two-year seat to represent District 53 in last year's general election. It was a position she had already held prior to the election when she filled the vacant seat of Mark Walker in April 2024.

RELATED: Grasse Takes Office As State Rep For 53rd District

Bauer, a professional actuary, says she has worked in pension consulting and more recently in the healthcare sector. In addition to her undergraduate and graduate degrees in history, she recently earned a Master's in applied economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Bauer tells Patch she has had a lifetime interest in public policy and has written extensively about retirement issues as a senior contributor at Forbes.

Bauer's three children attended Rolling Meadows High School She and her husband, Martin, have been deeply involved in the community through a variety of volunteering, primarily through their local church.

Bauer, who ran for the Township High School District 214 Board of Education in 2023, said she expects to rely on grassroots local support rather than PAC, party, union or corporate donors.

For more information on her campaign, visit bauerfor53.com.

RELATED: Elizabeth Bauer — Candidate For Township High School District 214