State Representative Hoan Hyunh, the Democrat serving Illinois’ 13th Legislative District, has drawn criticism this month after constituents reported that he lacks a district office, has missed several votes in Springfield and remains unreachable, yet continues to collect his annual $98,000 salary.
NBC Chicago’s investigation found that calls to the office number listed for Rep. Hyunh are answered by a staff member, but the representative himself could not be contacted by residents or reporters. The network’s reporters were able to locate a staff member who answered the listed line, confirming that the number is operational even though the legislator does not appear to be present.
Local voters have expressed frustration over the difficulty of reaching their elected official. Several constituents said they have tried to discuss district issues, request assistance, or arrange meetings, only to encounter dead ends. The same residents questioned how Hyunh can receive his full legislative salary while absent from both his district office and the Capitol floor.
Rep. Hyunh, who was first elected to represent the 13th District, has not provided a public explanation for the lack of a physical office or his repeated absences from roll calls. The district includes a mix of suburban and rural communities that rely on their representative for advocacy on state matters, and the reported inaccessibility has heightened concerns about representation.
The $98,000 annual compensation remains on the state payroll for Hyunh despite the reported absenteeism. The situation has prompted calls from constituents for greater transparency and accountability regarding his duties and the use of public funds.