Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin to run for reelection

First-term state Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, announced Tuesday he will seek another term in the Illinois House of Representatives.

The new 52nd House District includes parts of Algonquin and Fox River Grove in McHenry County, and parts of Libertyville, Mundelein, Wauconda, Island Lake and Barrington in Lake County before it runs south to South Barrington in Cook County.

“We have provided solid constituent service to thousands of people in our community,” McLaughlin said in a statement on his first term. “Much of that service has involved navigating the myriad of government rules, regulations, and sometimes an incompetent bureaucracy. In our system of government, the people are in charge, not the other way around.”

McLaughlin was the village president of Barrington Hills from 2013 until joining the General Assembly early last year. He touted his ability to lower the tax levy for residents eight times and his experience in the pension business as ways he has helped save taxpayers money.

“Much of what I do in Springfield involves trying to bring some common sense to the legislative process by pointing out the consequences of some of the legislation that is being put forth,” McLaughlin said.

Pensions and property taxes will remain key issues in a second term, McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin defeated Marci Suelzer, an Island Lake Democrat, in 2020 after receiving 54% of the vote.