Lake County Gazette

Denise Rotheimer wants to let the residents of Illinois' 62nd House District know that she's listening.

“Many of the constituents here are upset about high property taxes,” Rotheimer, who is running against incumbent Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Round Lake), told Lake County Gazette, adding that the majority of voters she spoke to do not like the way that their tax dollars are being spent.

“They're not pleased with the leadership in Springfield,” Rotheimer said. “They're looking to different people to take office.”

At this point, she said, she's going door to door and getting to know the people in her district.

“I’m spending my time out with the voters,” Rotheimer said.

Although Rotheimer has not held elected office, that doesn't mean she doesn't have experience in legislation. On her own dime, Rotheimer authored and worked to pass two state laws  in 2011 and 2013.

“They were passed unanimously,” Rotheimer said.

Running on a platform including tax reform, Rotheimer said she wants to challenge the dominant paradigm of establishment politics in Illinois and bring fresh perspective to a chamber that many feel has been too stagnant for too long.

“I want to use my experience to represent the voters’ interests in Springfield,” Rotheimer said.

In a press release announcing her candidacy, Rotheimer wrote that her advocacy for her daughter led her to participate in legislation to protect vulnerable citizens.

“In the past 14 years, I have gained valuable insight and knowledge into the workings of the Illinois General Assembly,” Rotheimer wrote in a press release. “I understand that the efforts I made to improve our laws for a cause I felt passionately about is not an easy task for an ordinary citizen to undertake. I am running for office because I want to assist the residents in the 62nd Representative District in their efforts to make laws that improves our community and quality of life.”

District 62 includes some or all of Gages Lake, Grayslake, Hainesville, Long Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park, Third Lake and Wauconda.