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northbrooktower.com News
the northbrook tower | November 9, 2017 | 3
Northbrook resident succeeds
Elaine Nekritz in 57th District
Richard Bodee
Freelance Reporter
Jonathan Carroll, who
was sworn in on Oct. 3
as a state representative,
is setting his sights high
after taking over the 57th
District for retired Rep.
Elaine Nekritz.
“I’ve spent my career
helping people and now,
I’m doing a job where I
can help people on a larger
level,” Carroll said. “I
may be Democrat, but I’d
like to be the candidate for
everyone.”
Nekritz, who made her
decision over this summer
to step down from a position
she held for the past
14 years, briefly considered
a run for the soonto-be
vacant attorney
general position, which
Lisa Madigan stunningly
announced she would not
seek reelection for in mid-
September.
Nekritz ultimately decided
not to run and Carroll
became the new representative
for District 57.
Carroll grew up in
Skokie, but has lived in
Northbrook for the last
nine years with his wife,
Katrina, and his two children.
He is a special education
teacher by trade with
his own practice, Carroll
Educational Group, where
he has helped people with
learning challenges for
nearly the last 14 years.
Carroll fully admits that
he didn’t think he would
become a special education
teacher.
“Actually, my original
plan was to go into sports
broadcasting,” he said.
In fact, Carroll, a De-
Paul University graduate
The family of Northbrook resident Jonathan Carroll
looks on as he is sworn into office as the representative
of the 57th District on Oct. 3, in Springfield. Photo
Submitted
with a bachelor’s degree
in communication, got
an internship with Super
Bowl XXIX through the
host committee and received
experience in what
he described as “planning
a major sporting event.”
After contemplating
his undergraduate work,
Carroll did some soulsearching
before deciding
to pursue another opportunity.
“Growing up, I had a
lot of learning challenges
myself,” Carroll said. “I
decided that, based on my
own struggles, I wanted
to help people like me become
more successful in
school.”
Carroll then attended
Northeastern Illinois University,
where he received
a master’s degree in learning
disabilities and social
emotional disorders.
“My first teaching job
was at a therapeutic day
school in Glenview,” Carroll
said. “It was through
Northwestern Memorial
Hospital, who had a therapeutic
day program for
children with really severe
emotional concerns.”
Carroll reminisced
about the experience, calling
it “a great learning
opportunity” and “eyeopening
to work in that
environment.”
Along the way, Carroll
saw another opportunity
to make a difference,
which led him to form his
own private practice.
“There are tutors and
then there are therapists,
but there’s not really anybody
in the middle, so
that’s kind of where I saw
my practice,” Carroll said.
“I saw a need and I really
wanted to fill that need.”
Carroll, who was active
in the community prior to
his political career, was
approached about the
possibility of replacing
Nekritz, an opportunity he
calls “unbelievable.”
Please see Carroll, 6
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Candy Cane
Holiday Bazaar
Wednesday, November 15
9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday, November 16
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free Admission
Shop a quality gift mart that features
artisans’ works and specialty items.
There are more than 25 booths with
one of a kind items and trend setting
accessories not available in stores.
East Wing crafters will also share their
handiwork.
and other prizes.
Your town
is my town.
Russ Angelbeck
847-402-2299
2675 Sanders Rd., Suite W1
Northbrook, IL 60062
russangelbeck@allstate.com
Park Center • 2400 Chestnut Ave. • 847.724.4793
The East Wing is a facility of the Glenview Park District
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