IL Senate Dems lose two Downstate seats, maintain super majority

SPRINGFIELD – Democrats will retain their super majority in the Illinois Senate in upcoming legislative session, voters determined last Tuesday.

Of the two-thirds of the 59-member chamber that were on the General Election ballot in 2016, 19 Democrats were not challenged and eight Republicans faced no opponents – making a total of 27 districts with no choices for voters.

Senate Republicans picked up two seats – Jil Tracy in Peoria (who ran uncontested after Democrat Senator John Sullivan announced his retirement) and Republican Dave Fowler, who unseated longtime Senator Gary Forby in the far downstate 59th District.

Both Tracy and Fowler hail from red parts of the state that supported Donald Trump at the top of the ticket.

In the next session, Democrats will hold 37 seats and Republicans 22.  The Senate needs 36 votes to override a governor's veto.