The Ballot Brief
Cook County, Illinois

Illinois House District 49

2 candidates are tracked for Illinois House District 49 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Maura Hirschauer and John Paul Augustynowicz. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Maura Hirschauer (Democratic), John Paul Augustynowicz (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Maura Hirschauer is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 17 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and new-party candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' 2026 General Election candidate list (status Active, read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Maura Hirschauer, is on the ballot.

Illinois › Cook County › Illinois House District 49

Maura Hirschauer

Maura Hirschauer

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Making state government more efficient and transparent
  • Lowering the cost of living and strengthening the state economy
  • Protecting access to reproductive health care

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Maura Hirschauer, a Democrat, is the sitting Illinois state representative for District 49, per the Illinois House's official roster. She is based in Batavia, Illinois, per her campaign site.

John Paul Augustynowicz

John Paul Augustynowicz

Republican

Top priorities
  • Responsive, listening-first local government
  • Fixing state government dysfunction
  • Community-based problem solving

Per the campaign site.

Biography

John Paul Augustynowicz is a Warrenville alderman and U.S. Navy veteran who served as a submarine officer aboard the USS Parche, per his campaign site. He earned a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University using the GI Bill and previously worked as a legislative aide.

Next on your ballotIllinois House District 51

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Illinois House District 49 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Illinois House District 49 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Maura Hirschauer and John Paul Augustynowicz. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Illinois House District 49 election in Illinois?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Illinois are on the Illinois election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Cook County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Cook County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Illinois election office, or see the full Cook County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Cook County ballot

135 tracked races in Cook County, Illinois. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Illinois House District 52Illinois House District 53Illinois House District 54See all 135 Cook County races
Candidate profiles
Maura Hirschauer, full profileJohn Paul Augustynowicz, full profileOfficial Illinois election office