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Elaine Nekritz

Age: 56

Occupation: State representative, 57th District

The Northbrook rep is considered the closest thing to a reform-minded, independent voice in the Democratic House—even while being Madigan’s assistant majority leader. Nekritz was one of the first to call for a pension overhaul, and legislation finally passed in 2013. Now head of the House Judiciary Committee, she is poised to move up.