Result

Incumbent state Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-IL) won reelection to Illinois State House District 29 on Nov. 3, defeating a write-in challenge from independent candidate Monet Wilson. Jones was the only candidate whose name appeared on the general election ballot, retaining the Southland district for Democrats. ​

Candidates and platforms

Jones's campaign issues page says he sponsored legislation to raise Illinois's minimum wage. The same page says he supports incentives for businesses to create good-paying, long-term jobs and describes him as committed to economic opportunity in the Southland.

Wilson, a Calumet City alderwoman, mounted an independent write-in campaign after failing to secure a place on the ballot. According to the Chicago Tribune and Daily Southtown, Wilson said she would seek to amend the SAFE-T Act and push for immediate property tax relief in Springfield.

Wilson said she could not afford to defend her nominating petitions in court after Jones' sister challenged them. Jones disputed Wilson's account and accused her of submitting fraudulent signatures. The dispute highlighted tensions between the two Calumet City officials, with Jones also serving as the city's mayor.

District and chamber

Illinois House District 29 covers parts of Chicago's southern suburbs, including Calumet City, South Holland, Dolton, Sauk Village, and surrounding communities in Cook, Will, and Kankakee counties.

Jones has represented the district since 2011 and also serves as mayor of Calumet City. He won reelection in 2024 without a major-party opponent, receiving 38,498 votes, compared with 1,002 scattered write-in votes. His latest victory extends Democratic control of the district.

The Illinois House has 118 seats, with 60 required for a majority. Democrats entered the election holding a majority in the chamber, and Jones' reelection preserves one of the party's Southland seats.

Money, polling and endorsements

Jones' campaign reported approximately $448,600 raised, $451,700 spent, and $78,600 in cash on hand through Sept. 30, according to a secondary compilation of Illinois State Board of Elections campaign finance filings.

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