Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) left, and House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) attend the 2023 inauguration ceremony for the Illinois House. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) is planning to return to Springfield and continue serving in the House following her primary election defeat on March 19. The loss will end Flowers’ political career next January following 40 years in the General Assembly.