Will County Gazette

Three-term Illinois state Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) announced this week she will not be a candidate for reelection in November 2020.

“If I were to win reelection next year, I would turn 70 years old shortly after being sworn in,” McDermed said in a press release. “After 30 years as a corporate lawyer, followed by 14 years as an elected official, it’s time to retire again.”

In addition to her two consecutive terms she is currently serving in Springfield, McDermed has served as a Frankfort Township Clerk, on the Will County Board and previously as a state representative for the 37th District. Following her retirement announcement, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) wondered how the party could ever replace her.

Illinois state House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge)

“Margo will be deeply missed,” he said in the release. “Rep. McDermed was the House Republican point person in the recently enacted capital bill and represented her caucus well.”

McDermed was known to be a tireless worker on such issues as political reform, veteran services, contamination of Will County groundwater and schools in the Lincoln-way area. During her three terms combined in Springfield, McDermed was also known for her work in passing legislation to study tracking of sexual assault evidence kits in the hopes of speeding up the process and preserving evidence. As part of that commitment, she also chaired the Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking and Reporting Commission.

“It has been an honor to serve and get to know the residents of the 37th District,” she added. “I will continue to call it home and be its staunch advocate, but the time has come for me to take a step back.”

McDermed said she plans to serve out her term that officially ends in January 2021.