Republicans are not expected to make a dent in Democrats' supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly, but a multi-million-dollar suburban legislative race has turned into a fiery, closely watched contest in the lead-up to Election Day Tuesday.
In that race, state Rep. Nabeela Syed, a Democrat from Inverness, is challenging incumbent Republican Darby Hills of Barrington Hills for the Illinois Senate 26th District seat.
The $6.5 million raised makes it one of the most expensive contests in the history of the General Assembly, said Alisa Kaplan, executive director of Reform for Illinois.
Syed received at least $4.7 million in contributions, much of it from her party, while Hills has raised $1.8 million, said Kaplan, whose organization runs the Illinois Sunshine Database.
"The Democratic leadership wants to flip this seat, and it shows," Kaplan said.
Syed raised more than $3 million from the Democratic Party of Illinois and the Illinois Senate Democratic Fund, which is controlled by Illinois Senate President Don Harmon. She’s also raised substantial amounts of money from unions.
Darby’s last big contribution from her party was in August when the Illinois Senate Republican Campaign gave her $300,000.
Separate from Hills' own fundraising, a political action committee called the Strong Independent Leadership Committee formed last month to oppose Syed. It’s stated purpose is “ensuring only strong, independent leaders are elected by opposing extreme candidates,” according to a state filing.
Vince Foglia of North Barrington formed the political committee and contributed $500,000 to it.
Separately, Foglia and his family have also contributed $500,000 to Hills’ campaign.
Hills was appointed to fill out the term of Dan McConchie, who resigned to take a job with a nonprofit organization.
Syed, 27, is completing her second term in the Illinois House after graduating from the University of California Berkeley in 2021, while Hills is completing the term of Dan McConchie, who resigned to take a job with a nonprofit organization. Syed was the youngest woman and one of the only Muslims ever to be elected to the Illinois General Assembly.
Hills, 50, has raised Syed’s youth and experience as a campaign issue. In the final days, she’s called Syed “too extreme” to represent her district.
"I've represented the community for four years," Syed said in an interview. "I'm proud of my record. It's disingenuous to call that extreme."
A former prosecutor and 2021 Mrs. Illinois America, Hills was a village trustee before being appointed to McConchie’s seat. She has campaigned for public safety, especially related to children, lower taxes and government spending controls.
Syed, a Palatine native, said affordability and access to health care are among her top priorities.
Both candidates call for more oversight of data center development, a contentious issue across the state.
While Democrats see a potential to pick up suburban seats it only pads the big advantages they already have in the legislature.
Before Tuesday’s election, Democrats hold super-majorities in both the Illinois House (78-40) and Illinois Senate (40-19). Every Illinois House seat was up for election Nov. 3, while voters were slated to decide 39 state senate races, two thirds of the total members.
Elsewhere, Democrats were looking to unseat 52nd House District Republican Martin McLaughlin who faced Maria Peterson again.
In 2024, McLaughlin eked out a victory against Peterson, beating her by fewer than 50 votes.
Peterson cited affordability, environmental protection and safety atop of the issues she was focusing on, and pointed to her records as a lawyer doing advocacy work.
McLaughlin has said he’s focused on government spending and accountability.
More than a quarter of the members of the Illinois General Assembly represent Chicago or portions of the city, and the vast majority are Democrats.
Only one incumbent Democrat lost in March. State Rep. Jaime Andrade Jr. was beat in his primary for House District 40 by challenger and community activist Miguel Alvelo Rivera for the North Side seat. Alvelo Rivera is unopposed in Tuesday’s election.
Republicans saw an opportunity in another rematch where Republican Liz Bishop was challenging incumbent Democrat Amy “Murri” Briel in the 76th Illinois House District race in north central Illinois. The campaign includes some eyebrow-raising allegations.
Bishop, who lost to Briel in 2024 by less than 600 votes, released a recorded interview with a former staffer who alleged that Briel sexually harassed her, fed her prescription stimulant drugs and smoked pot while working as a lawmaker.
Briel denied the allegations and said a state legislative watchdog investigation concluded the claims were unfounded.
