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Rep. Berrios Unseated By Challenger Guzzardi

(CBS/AP) -- State Rep. Toni Berrios lost her bid Tuesday to hang onto her 39th Illinois House District seat as opponent Will Guzzardi pulled off an upset against the connected Northwest Side incumbent.

Guzzardi, a North Carolina native who lost a primary contest to Berrios during the last election cycle, said his victory is part of a broader reform movement in Chicago.

"What we proved beyond a shadow of a doubt tonight is that this is a movement that is alive and kicking here in Chicago," Guzzardi told a crowd of ecstatic supporters. "We are organized and we are disciplined and we're willing to come to the table if they'll have us."

Berrios, daughter of Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios and backed by powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, issued a statement congratulating her opponent. Guzzardi took the Democratic primary with a 60-40 percent split with nearly 90 percent of the precincts counted.

"It is an honor to serve the 39th district.  Thank you to all of my staff volunteers who worked tirelessly for our campaign and to my family who have always supported me. There are going to be some important votes coming up, particularly with pensions in Chicago, and I'm going to be there to take them on behalf of the community I was born and raised in," Berrios said.

Berrios' defeat is seen as a crushing blow in part because her father is the chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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