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Illinois State Senate District 27
Illinois State Senate District 27 is represented by Mark Walker (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Illinois state senators represented an average of 217,335 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 218,040 residents.
About the chamber
Members of the Illinois State Senate serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Illinois legislators assume office the second Wednesday in January. Under the Illinois Constitution of 1970, Senators are divided into three groups. Each group has a two-year term at a different part of the decade between censuses, and the rest of the decade is taken up by two four-year terms.[1] Depending on the election year, roughly one-third, two-thirds, or all of the senate seats may have terms ending.
All three groups hold elections in the first election year following the decennial census and subsequent redistricting (i.e. 1992, 2002, 2012, etc.). Starting with that election, the terms for the three groups are structured as follows:[1]
- Group 1: four-year term, four-year term, two-year term
- Group 2: four-year term, two-year term, four-year term
- Group 3: two-year term, four-year term, four-year term
Qualifications
Article IV of the Illinois Constitution states: "To be eligible to serve as a member of the General Assembly, a person must be a United States citizen, at least 21 years old, and for the two years preceding his election or appointment a resident of the district which he is to represent."[2]
65 ILCS 5/3.1-10-5(a) states, "A person is not eligible for an elective municipal office unless that person is a qualified elector."[3]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $89,250/year | $166/day |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Illinois General Assembly, the state constitution mandates that the seat must be filled by appointment when allowed by law. The appointment must be made within 30 days after the vacancy. If a vacancy occurs in the Senate with more than twenty-eight months remaining in the term, the appointment is interim until the next general election, when a special election must be held. All other House and Senate vacancies are to be filled by an appointment from the same political party that last held the seat.[5] If the vacated seat was held by an independent (no party affiliation), the governor is to appoint an independent successor within 30 days.[6]
The vacancy must be filled by the respective party organizations covering the legislative district.[7] The respective committeemen and committeewomen representing the legislative district must vote on a replacement.[8] The person selected for the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.[9]
See sources: Illinois Const. Art. 4, Sec. 2(d) and Illinois Rev. Stat. ch. 10, § 5/25-6
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
The Illinois State Legislature approved new state legislative maps in a special session on August 31, 2021. Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed the new maps into law on September 24, 2021.[10] These maps were revised versions of maps enacted on June 4, 2021, that the legislature based on non-census population estimates. Following the release of census data in August, the legislature reconvened to develop and approve a revised map. These maps were later subject to a federal lawsuit that was decided on December 30, 2021, with the court upholding the maps enacted on September 24, 2021.[11] Learn more here.
How does redistricting in Illinois work? The Illinois General Assembly is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. Both chambers of the state legislature must approve a redistricting plan. The governor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.[12]
In the event that both chambers of the state legislature do not approve a legislative redistricting plan, a backup commission must draw the lines. The majority and minority leaders of each chamber must appoint two members each to the commission (one legislator and one general citizen). Of the eight commission members, no more than four may belong to the same political party. In the event that these eight members cannot approve a plan, the Illinois Supreme Court must select two individuals (from different political parties) as potential tiebreakers. The secretary of state must then appoint one of these individuals to the backup commission to break the tie.[12]
The Illinois Constitution requires that state legislative districts be "contiguous and reasonably compact." There are no such requirements in place for the state's congressional districts.[12]
State law also mandates the establishment of state legislative districts "that allow racial or language minority communities to elect--or influence the election of--the candidates of their choice, even if no comparable district would be required by the federal Voting Rights Act."[12]
Illinois State Senate District 27
until January 10, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Illinois State Senate District 27
starting January 11, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
A special election for Illinois State Senate District 27 was called for November 5, 2024. The candidate filing deadline was June 3, 2024.[13]
The seat became vacant after Ann Gillespie (D) resigned on April 9, 2024. Mark Walker (D) was appointed to the vacant seat until the special election.[14]
General election
Special general election for Illinois State Senate District 27
Incumbent Mark Walker defeated Tom Schlenhardt in the special general election for Illinois State Senate District 27 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mark Walker (D) | 57.6 | 53,917 |
 | Tom Schlenhardt (R)  | 42.4 | 39,769 | |
| Total votes: 93,686 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2022
- See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Illinois State Senate District 27
Incumbent Ann Gillespie defeated Bill Robertson in the general election for Illinois State Senate District 27 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ann Gillespie (D) | 59.1 | 40,774 |
 | Bill Robertson (R) | 40.9 | 28,265 | |
| Total votes: 69,039 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 27
Incumbent Ann Gillespie advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 27 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ann Gillespie | 100.0 | 15,228 |
| Total votes: 15,228 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 27
Bill Robertson defeated Joshua Alvarado in the Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 27 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bill Robertson | 59.0 | 6,562 |
| Joshua Alvarado | 41.0 | 4,568 | ||
| Total votes: 11,130 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
- See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Illinois State Senate District 27
Ann Gillespie defeated incumbent Tom Rooney in the general election for Illinois State Senate District 27 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ann Gillespie (D) | 52.0 | 46,981 |
 | Tom Rooney (R) | 48.0 | 43,375 | |
| Total votes: 90,356 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 27
Ann Gillespie defeated Joe Sonnefeldt in the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 27 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ann Gillespie | 74.8 | 18,279 |
 | Joe Sonnefeldt | 25.2 | 6,154 | |
| Total votes: 24,433 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 27
Incumbent Tom Rooney advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 27 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tom Rooney | 100.0 | 15,537 |
| Total votes: 15,537 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2014
- See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the Illinois State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 18, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 2, 2013. Incumbent Matt Murphy ran unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[15][16][17]
2012
- See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2012
Elections for the office of Illinois State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 20, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 5, 2011. Incumbent Matt Murphy (R) defeated David R. Page (D) in the general election and was unopposed in the Republican primary. Page was placed on the ballot by petition.[18][19]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Matt Murphy Incumbent |
60.6% | 57,447 | |
| Democratic | David R. Page | 39.4% | 37,323 | |
| Total Votes | 94,770 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Illinois State Senate District 27 raised a total of $9,734,570. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $423,242 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Illinois State Senate District 27 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $6,270 | 2 | $3,135 |
| 2022 | $1,257,373 | 3 | $419,124 |
| 2018 | $3,632,838 | 3 | $1,210,946 |
| 2014 | $228,309 | 1 | $228,309 |
| 2012 | $509,445 | 2 | $254,723 |
| 2010 | $86,523 | 1 | $86,523 |
| 2008 | $888,616 | 2 | $444,308 |
| 2006 | $847,716 | 3 | $282,572 |
| 2004 | $110,219 | 1 | $110,219 |
| 2002 | $665,534 | 3 | $221,845 |
| 2000 | $1,501,727 | 2 | $750,864 |
| Total | $9,734,570 | 23 | $423,242 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Illinois General Assembly, "Article IV of the Illinois Constitution (Section 2a)," accessed February 4, 2021
- ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "Constitution of the State of Illinois," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "Illinois Compiled Statutes," accessed May 27, 2025(Sec. 65 5/3.1-10-5)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "Illinois Constitution," accessed February 4, 2021 (Section Article IV, Section 2(d))
- ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "Illinois Compiled Statutes," accessed February 4, 2021 (Statute 10 ILCS 5/25-6)
- ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "Illinois Election Code," accessed February 4, 2021 (Statute 10 ILCS 5/25 6 (a), (c))
- ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "Illinois Election Code," accessed February 4, 2021 (Statute 10 ILCS 5/25 6 (d))
- ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "Illinois Election Code," accessed February 4, 2021 (Statute 10 ILCS 5/25 6 (f))
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedseptmapexplain - ↑ Longview News-Journal, "Court upholds Illinois legislative redistricting plan," Jan. 4, 2021
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 All About Redistricting, "Illinois," accessed April 16, 2015
- ↑ Ballotpedia staff, "Email communication with Matt Dietrich, Public Information Officer of the Illinois State Board of Elections," June 6, 2024
- ↑ Daily Herald, "State Rep. Walker appointed to vacant Illinois Senate seat," accessed May 17, 2024
- ↑ Illinois Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed March 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois Board of Elections, "General Primary Election Official Canvass," April 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois Secretary of State, "Official general election candidate list," accessed March 18, 2014
- ↑ "Illinois State Board of Elections - Official Primary Election Results," accessed October 9, 2013
- ↑ "Illinois State Board of Elections - Official General Election Results," accessed October 9, 2013
