Representative Matt Hanson Contact information

Matt Hanson is a railroad engineer and Democratic politician currently serving as an Illinois state representative for District 83. He was elected in 2022, defeating Republican Keith Wheeler. The District includes parts of St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora, Aurora, Montgomery, and Oswego.

Before his election to the Illinois House of Representatives, Hanson served on the Kane County Board from District 6 in 2018, but lost re-election to the seat in 2020 in the primary. In 2022, Hanson sought the Democratic nomination for state representative from the 83rd District. He won the primary, defeating activist Arad Boxenbaum, who is challenging him for the seat in the 2024 Democratic primary. He went on to defeat incumbent Republican Keith Wheeler with 53.3 percent of the vote.

Hanson ran on a platform of protecting worker’s rights, standing up for Illinois families, protecting a woman’s right to choose and fighting gun violence. He was sworn in for his first term on January 11, 2023. In the 2024 primary campaign, Boxenbaum has criticized Hanson for his record and rhetoric on reproductive rights, environmental protection, and other issues.

In the 103rd General Assembly, Hanson served on the Appropriations-General Service Committee; Cities & Villages Committee; Police & Fire Committee; and the Transportation: Regulations, Roads & Bridges Committee.

On October 27, 2023, Hanson was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, after being found asleep in his vehicle in the parking lot of his apartment complex. His blood alcohol content was measured at 0.186%, more than double the legal limit. On December 19, 2023, Hanson pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 12 months of court supervision, 100 hours of community service, an evaluation, counseling, treatment, and a $3,555 fine.

Hanson earned a B.S. in business administration from the University of Richmond and worked as an engineer with BNSF Railway. He is an active volunteer in his church and community.