Bloomington, Ill. – November 4, 2026 – Illinois voters largely maintained the state’s congressional balance while setting the stage for potential shifts in Springfield. With a new U.S. senator headed to Washington and legislative results pointing to changes in both chambers of the General Assembly, the 2026 election will shape state and federal representation for years to come.
Federal Results
Illinois voters largely returned the same congressional balance they had before Election Day. Democrats are projected to hold 14 of Illinois’ 17 U.S. House seats, while Republicans are projected to retain three seats, matching the state’s pre-election delegation.
The state’s biggest federal change comes in the U.S. Senate. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is projected to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, who is stepping down after five terms. Stratton defeated Republican Don Tracy, former chair of the Illinois Republican Party. She will join Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth in representing Illinois in the Senate.
Projected Democratic U.S. House Winners
- Jonathan Jackson (1st District)
- Donna Miller (2nd District)
- Delia Ramirez (3rd District)
- Patty Garcia (4th District)
- Mike Quigley (5th District)
- Sean Casten (6th District)
- La Shawn Ford (7th District)
- Melissa Bean (8th District)
- Daniel Biss (9th District)
- Brad Schneider (10th District)
- Bill Foster (11th District)
- Nikki Budzinski (13th District)
- Lauren Underwood (14th District)
- Eric Sorensen (17th District)
Projected Republican U.S. House Winners
- Mike Bost (12th District)
- Mary Miller (15th District)
- Darin LaHood (16th District)
Several new members are expected to join Illinois’ congressional delegation due to retirements and open-seat races. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi left their House seats to pursue Senate bids, both falling short in the Democratic primary. Newcomers projected to enter Congress include Patty Garcia, Daniel Biss, Melissa Bean, La Shawn Ford, and Donna Miller.
State Legislature Results
Democrats entered Election Day with supermajorities of 78-40 in the Illinois House and 40-19 in the Illinois Senate. Preliminary results suggest those margins will grow.
As vote counting continues, Democrats have gained at least:
- Four Senate seats, with leads in additional races that could increase their caucus to 46 members.
- Two House seats, while leading in several other competitive districts.
If current leads hold, Democrats could reach 85 seats in the House, their largest caucus since the 1980 Cutback Amendment, while Republicans would hold 33 House seats and 13 Senate seats.
Key Illinois Senate Flips
Democrats secured several notable pickups:
| District | Winner | Defeated |
|---|---|---|
| 24th | Ben McAdams (D) | Sen. Seth Lewis (R) |
| 26th | Nabeela Syed (D) | Sen. Darby Hills (R) |
| 33rd | Michele Clark (D) | Open/Republican-held seat |
| 56th | Marsie Geldert-Murphey (D) | Sen. Erica Harriss (R) |
The 26th Senate District drew particular attention, with approximately $6.5 million raised between the campaigns, making it one of the most expensive legislative races in Illinois history.
Democrats also lead in the 32nd District, where Republican Sen. Craig Wilcox trails challenger Karen Battaglia.
Illinois House Results
Democrats have already flipped two Republican-held House districts:
- 47th District: Erica Bray-Parker (D) won the seat.
- 52nd District: Maria Peterson (D) defeated incumbent Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R).
Competitive Races Still Being Counted
Democrats also hold leads in several closely watched contests:
- 48th District: Amanda Zahorak (D) leads incumbent Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro (R).
- 65th District: Ricky Rivard (D) leads incumbent Rep. Dan Ugaste (R).
- 104th District: Mary Catherine Roberson (D) leads Republican Brandun Schweizer.
- 114th District: George McClellan (D) leads Republican Kevin Schmidt.
Bottom Line
While Illinois’ congressional delegation remains largely unchanged, Democrats appear poised to strengthen their already dominant position in Springfield. Senate pickups, House gains, and strong performances in competitive districts could expand Democratic supermajorities and further solidify the party’s control of state government.
