Chicago City Wire

Carlos Alvarez took to Facebook to concede his bid for the 22nd House District seat.

Alvarez stated that he doesn't feel comfortable about the election results, but accepted them, noting that he "received thousands of votes, more than people expected." 

"First of all, I have to say thank you Lord for the opportunity to lead and run for an office," Alvarez said. "This is a wonderful experience; when you have the opportunity to talk with people and you hear their concerns and you hear their ideas, it's amazing. I am convinced that the people of the 22nd House district need and want a change, and they are going to have a change. 

He said that the result of the election 'is not the end because a lot of people showed that they really want a new and fresh district.' Alvarez said, "They want a change," and believes "that change is coming." He added, "that something wonderful was started with this campaign." 

"So, I just want to say thank you; thank you people in the 22nd House District that voted for me, who took the time to do a cross by my name and loudly express that we want a change," Alvarez said. "So for you and for others that maybe do not vote, a change is coming. It's coming and the only thing that I have to say now [is] that I am going to pray and talk to my family, friends, partners, and colleagues and have a discussion about everything that is necessary to talk about, and later I will have a decision. But for now, God bless you, friends from the 22nd House district, and congratulations to my opponent, Ms. Guerrero. So see you soon, God Bless!"

Based on the election results provided by the Associated Press and published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, incumbent Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar defeated Alvarez with 13,486 votes to Alvarez's 7,478 votes with 97% of the vote counted as of this writing. The Democrat has 64.3% of the vote to the Republican's 35.7% in this district on the Southwest Side of Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune Editorial Board had endorsed Alvarez over Guerrero-Cuellar in the 22nd House District. Guerrero-Cuellar was appointed in 2021 to replace former House Speaker Michael Madigan after Madigan called on his first handpicked successor, former State Rep. Edward Guerra Kodatt, to resign due to alleged questionable conduct. Prior to serving in the House, she was a community services worker working in COVID-19 education, contact tracing, and safety outreach. She also worked on the failed campaign of Angie Sandoval for Cook County Commissioner in 2018. Sandoval is the daughter of the late State Sen. Martin Sandoval, who plead guilty to a bribery scheme regarding red light cameras. 

Alvarez is an insurance agent who supports a constitutional amendment for pension reform as well as ethics reform in Springfield. Alvarez told the Tribune board, "I represent a natural, fresh change to the district," and the board endorsed him, agreeing that the district needs a change.

Democrats have maintained their supermajorities in both houses of the General Assembly, in the first general election without Madigan. 

On election night, incumbent House Speaker Welch (D-Westchester) said, "We know that when we fight, we win — and tonight, that couldn’t be more true. House Democrats have fought tirelessly for working families and have secured important legislative wins to protect reproductive rights, rebuild our infrastructure, fund critical public safety initiatives, and so much more." 

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said, "The people have spoken. Now it’s time to get to work governing." 

On the heels of Republican losses across the state, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) announced he would not seek another term as a leader: "It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as leader of the House Republican caucus, but it’s time for the Illinois Republican Party to rebuild with new leaders who can bring independents back to the party that are needed to bring change to the state." 

Republicans went into the election with high hopes; however only 78 of the 118 House seats were contested, and in the Senate, only 25 of 59 seats were contested. Republicans made modest gains in the State Senate, but it was still a disappointing night for them.