Benton stepped down after allegations that he made lewd comments to three women. A former legislative inspector general found that his conduct violated state law. Benton has denied wrongdoing and remains elected Wheatland Township highway commissioner.

Will and Kendall County Democratic leaders appointed Heitman, a Plainfield resident, to replace Benton in July. Heitman previously worked as a contracted media relations consultant in Benton’s office in 2023 and has said his behavior raised red flags. She said she respected the wishes of a young complainant who opposed filing a report, and has said she was personally affected by Benton’s conduct.

Shanahan, a Joliet resident and court-appointed special advocate for children, has accused Heitman of staying silent about Benton’s treatment of the young staffer. Shanahan said earlier action could have prevented others from experiencing similar behavior. “If you see something, you should say something,” she said, arguing that silence allows a harmful workplace culture to continue.

The controversy has also drawn attention to House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. He has faced criticism from some Democrats for directing $1.4 million to Benton’s 2024 reelection campaign. Welch has said his office knew of alleged misconduct but lacked a formal complaint to trigger an investigation. He removed Benton from the Democratic caucus in February after another woman filed a complaint.

The seat is one of the region’s more competitive legislative districts. In 2024, the district backed Kamala Harris over Donald Trump by about four percentage points. Shanahan lost to Benton by roughly four points that year.

Both candidates have emphasized affordability, particularly the cost of living and property taxes. Heitman, a working mother of three, says her priorities include lowering health care costs, protecting services for seniors, supporting well-paying jobs and helping families plan for retirement. Shanahan has criticized state taxes, including the gas tax, and has made property taxes a focus.

The candidates have largely avoided taking detailed positions on some divisive national issues. Shanahan declined to say whether she voted for Trump, saying she supported the Republican Party in 2024, and did not state her personal view on abortion rights. She said abortion policy is settled in Illinois and is not a legislative issue. Heitman supports a state constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights.

Campaign filings showed Heitman entered October with about $79,000 in cash and more than $200,000 in reported in-kind contributions, most from the Welch-controlled Democrats for the Illinois House committee. Shanahan reported nearly $48,000 in cash and about $141,000 in in-kind support, largely from the House Republican Organization.

The race gives district voters a choice not only between two candidates’ approaches to household costs, but also between their competing accounts of how elected officials should respond when allegations of misconduct emerge.