Carroll Explains Decision Not to Seek Re-election
Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northfield) speaks at a news conference in the Governor’s office in Springfield. Carroll announced Monday he isn’t seeking re-election next year.
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When Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) announced late Monday, the day before the Independence Day holiday, that he wouldn’t seek re-election next year, it capped off one of the most tumultuous years of any member of the General Assembly.
Last October, Carroll was accused by a former aide of firing her after he requested, and she refused, that she have an abortion. After a serious uproar among colleagues, the Legislative Inspector General found the accusation “unsubstantiated.”
It didn’t stop Carroll from facing a gigantic primary challenge from former Northbrook School Board President Tracy Katz Muhl, who had earned endorsements from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Congressional members Brad Schneider and Jan Schakowsky.
We spoke with Carroll late Wednesday who said the idea of not seeking re-election had been on his mind, but said the Katz Muhl primary did not play a role.
“It did not impact my decision at all,” Carroll said. “I don’t base my decision on who’s going to run for the job. I based my decision on if this is something I want to continue doing.”
Carroll said he anticipates further Democratic primary candidates to jump into the race, especially now that it will be an open seat. The north suburban district includes Glencoe, Northbrook, Northfield, and parts of Glenview, Riverwoods, and Wheeling. It is heavily Democratic. Governor Pritzker won the district by more than 33 points last year and President Biden won it by 29 points in 2020. Carroll faced nominal opposition in 2022.
Carroll, 49, was appointed to the seat in 2017, winning three full terms after that.
Carroll declined to get into specifics regarding the ethics complaint made by his former employee, but said he was happy the situation was resolved.
“Unfortunately those allegations were made and we went through the process of an investigation,” he said. “Obviously, it’s hurtful when somebody accuses you of anything, but I’m glad the truth pointed in my favor.”
Carroll, a former Special Education teacher, operates a coaching services for individuals facing cognitive challenges like ADHD.
A progressive, Carroll says Democrats face challenges moving forward with more progressive caucuses and financial challenges facing the state.
“As the diversity of our caucus grows, you’re going to have differing opinions on how we should use our resources,” he said. “I think some of the stuff some of the members are asking for is very progressive, and they feel with a caucus of 78 in the House, they can push the envelope with those things a little bit.”
But he says voters are responding to progressive policies.
“We’ve voted on a lot of progressive things and our caucus grew from 73 to 78,” he said. “Obviously, people in the state are happy with what Democrats are doing.”
