Metro East Sun

Amy Elik says she is going to Springfield with a clear and forceful mandate.

“I would like to see strong ethics reform legislation debated and passed so that we can begin to dismantle the corrupt practices which have plagued Springfield,” Elik told the Metro East Sun after knocking off incumbent state Rep. Monica Bristow in the 111th District with just under 55% of the vote. “There is much work to be done to repair our financial condition in Illinois and I look forward to being an effective advocate for the taxpayers.”

Elik welcomes the challenge of serving as the new face of the district.

"When I launched my campaign, I said I’m running to represent the forgotten voices of people looking for more favorable policies toward the middle class,” she added. “I'm proud to say those voices were heard loud and clear. I look forward to serving as an effective, conservative representative for the people of the 111th District as we work to fix the fiscal and ethics issues plaguing our great state. "

Though her campaign against Bristow was one of the hardest and fiercely fought of the cycle, Elik made it a point of being graceful in the end.

“I thank Rep. Bristow for her service to the people of Illinois and for a hard-fought race,” she said. “To the endless number of volunteers, I cannot thank you enough for your commitment to the cause."

One of the biggest issues of the campaign proved to be Bristow’s relationship with longtime and suddenly embattled House Speaker Mike Madigan, who over time has donated upwards of $1 million to her political war chest. The state’s longest-tenured lawmaker, Madigan now finds himself at the center of a still unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme involving where all the perks were allegedly steered to the House Speaker in exchange for favorable legislation.