Metro East Sun

Jennifer Korte contends that Illinois state lawmakers are out of touch with their constituents and she aims to change that by running for state representative for District 112.

District 112 includes portions of both Madison and St. Clair Counties, containing parts of Edwardsville, Maryville, Glen Carbon, Granite City, Venice, Caseyville, Fairview Heights and O’Fallon. 

“I am running for office because I felt like our district was not being properly represented in Springfield,” Korte, a mother who is active in her Edwardsville community, told Metro East Sun. “It is time for a change. We need a common-sense, citizen-led legislature who will listen to the people. I can provide that for our district.”

The former hospital social worker said she believes that government should be for the people and elected leaders should be the voice of the people, Korte said she aims to effect policy in a manner that will give power back to Illinoisans.

Korte earned her master's degree in social work and spent most of her professional career working at Barnes-Jewish Hospital before taking on the role as a stay-at-home mother providing care for her children for the past 17 years.

Believing it was “time for a change,” Korte decided to run for public office even though she has never held office before. 

Korte listed her top three goals to accomplish if elected as: “1. Lowering taxes. 2. Budget reform. 3. Protection of parental rights.”

Korte describes herself as a “common-sense” candidate who aims to be a voice for her constituents. 

Korte stated that her opponent, incumbent Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Collinsville), is “known for her radical woke agenda” and “has voted against what her constituents want and instead protects her political allies in Chicago.” 

Korte said Stuart supported former Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, received significant financial aid from the “Madigan machine,” voted to increase taxes and worked to provide feminine products in men’s bathrooms at taxpayer expense by using IDOT and IDNR funds. 

Korte has lived in Madison County her entire life. She and her husband of 24 years have three children, ages 21, 17, and 14. Her oldest attends college and is working toward a biochemistry degree, while her two youngest attend a private school in the area.