Forest Park Commissioner Rory Hoskins said Monday that he will request a discovery recount in the March 20 race for 7th District state representative.

“I spoke to several key supporters. We’re not going to concede,” said Hoskins.

The County Clerk’s Office officially proclaimed Chris Welch the winner by 36 votes in the Illinois House of Representatives 7th District on Tuesday.

Welch declared victory, April 3, when all cast ballots, mail ballots and provisional ballots had been totaled from 87 precincts.

“There was a great deal of community and local backing behind me,” said Welch in a press release. “I thank each and every single individual who played a part in this campaign. I also thank Rory Hoskins, Princess Dempsey, and Beyonca Johnson for running a spirited race. I look forward to gaining the trust and support of their voters in the next few months.”

Hoskins has until April 16 to file a request.

Final vote totals in 7th District

Emanuel “Chris” Welch (Democrat)

39.1%

4,670
Rory Hoskins (Democrat) 38.79% 4,634
Beyonca Johnson (Democrat) 13.68% 1,634
Princess C. Dempsey (Democrat) 8.43% 1,007

Jean Lotus loves community journalism. She covers news, features, two school boards, village council, crime, park district and writes obits for Forest Park Review. She also covers the police beat for...