Five Illinois congressional seats, Senate seat open in historic election year

Sen. Dick Durbin’s decision last year to end his storied political career set off a seismic shift in Illinois politics that promises to turn over a third of the state’s congressional delegation.

Durbin wasn’t the only longtime member of Congress to call it quits. U.S. Reps. Danny Davis, Jan Schakowsky and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia also announced their retirements.

Some of the outgoing Democrats faced criticism for staying in office too long, with one for boosting an heir apparent. Another ambitious set found an opportunity to launch their long-plotted runs for higher office, leaving six highly coveted seats open in a rare game of political musical chairs.

It also left Gov. JB Pritzker with the task of finding a new running mate in his bid for a third term, though few doubt that the billionaire governor is thinking ahead to the 2028 presidential election — or is at all worried about which of four Republican governor candidates emerges to face him in November.



https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/elections/2026/03/13/midterm-illinois-primary-march-17-congressional-senate-historic-election-year