Benton, Shanahan Eye District 97 House Seat: IL Election 2024

PLAINFIELD, IL — WIth another pivotal Election Day here, voters are tasked with choosing who will represent District 97 in Illinois's House of Representatives.

Democratic incumbent Harry Benton is facing a challenge from Republican Gabby Shanahan.

Benton is seeking a second term in the Illinois House of Representatives, and Shanahan is seeking her first. Both ran unopposed in March's primary election.

District 97 represents more than 108,000 residents, as of the 2020 census. The district covers a majority of Plainfield as well as parts of Joliet, Shorewood, Naperville and Oswego.

RELATED: Plainfield Voter Guide: What To Know Before Tuesday's Election

Harry Benton

Self-described as "a different kind of Democrat," Benton served as a trustee on the Plainfield Village Board from 2019 to 2023. He was an "outspoken voice for government transparency, supported local small businesses, meaningful economic development, and held the line on taxes while also fighting to lower them while improving local infrastructure," reads his candidate website.

In 2022, he was elected to his first term as state representative, overtaking Republican candidate Michelle Smith's 48.3 percent of votes with 51.7 percent of his own. He first ran for the 97th District seat in 2020, losing to Republican Mark Batinick by about 2,500 votes.

Taxes

Benton voted to reduce property taxes for seniors and veterans on fixed incomes and "delivered record funding for local communities and schools to give them the tools they need to get serious about property tax relief," according to his candidate website.

He has also passed legislation mandating all property tax bills to list possible exemptions.

Reproductive rights

Benton said he fights to protect women's reproductive rights and access to healthcare, explaining IVF was crucial for him and his wife to start their family.

"He will always stand up for our right to make our own private medical decisions without political interference," his website states.

Education

Benton "believes all our kids deserve a world-class education," his website reads. The incumbent has pushed for additional funding for public schools to reduce the reliance on property taxes.

Gabby Shanahan

A graduate of Plainfield Central High School, where she discovered a passion for public service in economics and government classes, Shanahan works as an executive assistant for a nonprofit that "fights for taxpayers who deserve a voice in their government."

She is also involved in the Young Republican Nation Federation, as the national committeewoman for Illinois, and is the county chairwoman for the Kendall Young Republicans.

Taxes

According to her candidate website, Shanahan will stand with taxpayers, not special interests, to "hold the line on tax increases," citing corruption as the reason for Illinois being one of the highest-taxed states in the country.

Reproductive rights

Shanahan said she believes it's up to voters, not politicians, to make decisions about abortions, explaining women's health "is about comprehensive care that empowers women to make informed decisions about their health and families."

"I find it offensive that those in charge claim to speak for us, reducing our concerns to just one issue," her website reads. "I care about high gas prices, affordable and healthy food for my family, and equal access to quality education. It's time to stop the political posturing and let the people decide what’s best."

Education

Shanahan puts education in the hands of families. She says she believes in an "all of the above" approach that includes funding public schools and allows parents to choose whether their children attend public or private schools, homeschooling or vocational programs.