Illinois Democratic Leaders

The state of Illinois has a long history of producing influential Democratic jobs on the national political stage. Going back to the 19th century, Illinois has been home to several prominent Democrats.

Stephen A. Douglas

One of the earliest nationally renowned Democrats from Illinois was Stephen A. Douglas. He was a Senator from Illinois from 1847 to 1861 and was also a candidate for president in 1860. Douglas espoused popular sovereignty, the concept that settlers in new territories should be the ones to decide whether slavery would be allowed. He engaged in famous debates with Abraham Lincoln as they competed for a Senate seat in 1858, debates that brought national attention to the issue of slavery.

Adlai Stevenson I

Adlai Stevenson I served as vice president under Grover Cleveland from 1893 to 1897. He had previously been a representative and then governor of Illinois. Stevenson advocated for bimetallism and was nominated for vice president without his knowledge, campaigning reluctantly with Cleveland. He later became head of the Illinois Democratic Party.

Adlai Stevenson II

The grandson of Adlai Stevenson I, Adlai Stevenson II was governor of Illinois from 1949 to 1953 before running for president in 1952 and 1956. He lost both elections to war hero Dwight D. Eisenhower but proved an eloquent spokesperson for the Democratic Party. Stevenson helped found the liberal wing of the party and advocated for nuclear disarmament and economic aid to developing nations.

Paul Douglas

Paul Douglas served as an Illinois senator from 1949 to 1967, making a name for himself as a liberal Democrat and early supporter of civil rights legislation. An economist and former professor, Douglas championed fiscal responsibility and reasoned approaches to policymaking. He supported John F. Kennedy’s New Frontier policies and also advocated for environmentalism and conservation.

Everett Dirksen

Although Everett Dirksen served as a Republican senator for many years, he began his political career as a Democrat in Illinois. He represented Illinois in the House from 1933-1949 as a Democrat before switching parties and becoming Senate minority leader. Known for his distinctive voice and oratory style, Dirksen helped craft and pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Richard J. Daley

Richard J. Daley served as mayor of Chicago from 1955 to 1976, leading the Chicago Democratic political machine and having immense statewide influence. Daley oversaw substantial infrastructure expansion and promoted Chicago as a global city. He also mobilized the vote for John F. Kennedy in 1960, helping Kennedy narrowly win Illinois and the presidency.

Daniel Walker

In 1972, Daniel Walker was elected governor of Illinois as a Democrat and reform candidate who challenged the Chicago political establishment. As governor, Walker helped reform state government by imposing a state income tax, consolidating agencies, and creating the first Illinois ethics laws. However, scandals later damaged Walker’s reputation.

Harold Washington

Harold Washington became Chicago’s first African American mayor in 1983. Originally involved in the Democratic machine, Washington broke away to run reform campaigns. As mayor, he expanded opportunities for minority contractors and brought more minorities into city government. Washington was a popular yet polarizing figure who faced extensive council opposition.

Paul Simon

Paul Simon had a long political career in Illinois as a Democratic representative and senator from 1975 to 1997. Simon was known for his honesty, bowtie wearing, and advocacy for social justice. He fought to restrain media violence, end world hunger, and promote civil rights both nationally and internationally.

Richard M. Daley

The son of Richard J. Daley, Richard M. Daley served as mayor of Chicago from 1989 to 2011. Daley focused on downtown development and helped transform Chicago into a thriving global city, albeit while failing to improve impoverished neighborhoods. Daley asserted comprehensive control and handed out favors, stymying opposition.

Rod Blagojevich

Illinois governor from 2003 to 2009, Rod Blagojevich brought negative attention to Illinois politics. The FBI recorded him trying to sell Barack Obama’s former Senate seat after Obama was elected president in 2008. Blagojevich was impeached and convicted on corruption charges related to soliciting bribes and political favors.

Dick Durbin

Representing Illinois in the Senate since 1997, Dick Durbin currently serves as Senate majority whip, making him the second highest ranking Democrat. Known for his liberal voting record, Durbin has focused on food safety, immigration reform, LGBTQ rights, healthcare access, and curbing gun violence. Durbin has consistently won reelection by sizeable margins.

Barack Obama

Barack Obama served as Illinois senator from 2005 to 2008 before being elected the first African American president of the United States. Obama began his political career as a community organizer in Chicago in the 1980s. As president, Obama enacted massive economic stimulus, healthcare reform, Wall Street regulation, and measures to combat climate change.

Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth is the current junior senator from Illinois, first elected in 2017 after serving in the House. A veteran who lost both legs while serving in Iraq, Duckworth has made assisting fellow veterans a priority. Her reelection victories have helped position the Democrats to retain control of the closely divided Senate.

JB Pritzker

Incumbent governor JB Pritzker assumed office in 2019. A progressive billionaire businessman from the wealthy Pritzker family, he has pursued an agenda of balanced budgets, infrastructure investment, environmental protection, marijuana legalization, increased education funding, and abortion rights. Pritzker decisively won reelection in 2022.

The state of Illinois Democrats. who have shaped the party’s ideology and left their mark on Illinois Democratic jobs, politics and government.