Illinois House District 52 Candidate Profiles, Forum Tonight
October 10, 2024
In preparation for the Nov. 5 elections, Barrington Scoop reached out to Maria Peterson and Martin McLaughlin, both from the Barrington area, who are running for Illinois state representative, District 52. Many parts of Barrington will see these candidates on their ballots. See the district map below.
Read on to learn more about these candidates and their primary campaign issues. *Candidates are profiled in alphabetical order.
Members of the community will hear directly from the candidates at a public forum tonight, Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Barrington Area Library. The forum is co-hosted by the Barrington Area Library and the League of Women Voters of the Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg areas (formerly the League of Women Voters of the Palatine Area). It will be moderated by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Watch the event recording HERE.
Martin McLaughlin
Facebook: MartinMcLaughlinBH
Instagram: MartyforIllinois
X: MartyForIL
Democrat or Republican: Republican
About Marty
Marty is married and has five daughters and one grandson and lives in Barrington Hills. In his professional career, he served as president of an alternative investment management firm and was a pension specialist. Marty has served as the State Representative for Illinois’ 52nd District since 2021 and he was also the Barrington Hills Village President from 2013-2021.
Why do you want this position?
“I have delivered results, not just rhetoric, when serving at both local and state levels. I have professional experience managing pensions, which is one of the biggest future problems in our State. I am a direct, no-nonsense communicator who will continue to demand that institutionalized Springfield politicians explain in detail what they are doing, why they are doing it, and what it will cost all of us.
When elected, my constituents should continue to expect me to ask the difficult questions of why we are being asked to pay higher taxes while receiving fewer services. I am a contrary voice to the 70% Democrat controlled legislature. We need more balance for better outcomes for our residents, not just more progressive Democrats filling seats. My opponent would simply become one more vote for the Chicago Democrat progressive agenda that has ruined this state. I will represent the people of the 52nd District and not the special interests.”
What are your primary campaign issues?
Improving public safety
Lowering property taxes
Preserving parental rights
Maintaining local control for our schools
Maria Peterson
Facebook: Maria for 52
Tik Tok: @maria.for.52
Democrat or Republican: Democrat
About Maria
Maria was born and raised in the near western suburbs of Chicago. After graduating from Proviso West High School, she attended Loyola University, then The John Marshall School of Law. She and her husband, Ken, raised three grown sons in North Barrington. She has been active in MOMS Demand Action, the League of Women Voters, the Barrington Rotary Club, the Sierra Club, and other local organizations.
After graduating law school, Maria worked as a litigator for the United States Department of Labor, advocating for workers who had suffered work-related injuries, including coal miners stricken with Black Lung disease. Later, she worked for the Illinois State Treasurer. After moving to North Barrington, she trained to become a fitness instructor specializing in corrective exercise. She ran her own fitness studio for twenty years before retiring during the pandemic.
Why do you want this position?
“I believe in service, in giving back to the community. That's how I was raised by my parents and that's how I raised my children. I am running for the Illinois House of Representative because I believe that Illinois should be a national leader in enacting solutions to the pressing problems we face, including gun violence and access to reproductive health care. I will be a full-time legislator so I can best serve the people of the 52nd District.”
What are your primary campaign issues?
“Three issues that I care about passionately are protecting women's right to make decisions about their own healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, preventing gun violence, and fighting climate change.
The Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade and put women's rights at risk on a state-by-state basis. Fortunately, Illinois has passed laws protecting a woman's right to choose, but there is more that needs to be done. I have been pro-choice and pro-reproductive rights for my entire life and I will be a strong voice and advocate in Springfield for reproductive rights for all. I also believe that families with young children need more support, including a child tax credit and access to pre-K.
I have long been active in the gun violence prevention movement, co-founding the Barrington-area chapter of MOMS Demand Action. When the Highland Park shooting occurred two years ago, I was appointed the State Elections Lead for the Illinois chapter of MDA and lobbied in Springfield for the passage of the assault weapons ban. In the legislature, I will advocate for more training for gun owners, tougher safety requirements, and more accountability for gun sellers and gun owners.
As an environmentalist, I have been a member of the Sierra Club for over thirty years. I will work to make sure Illinois is taking every step feasible to ensure that we are fighting climate change.”
