Endorsement: Syed for Illinois Senate Dist. 26, Levin for Illinois House Dist. 51, McLaughlin for Illinois House Dist. 52
Voters have strong candidates to choose from in the races for state Senator in District 26, along with state representatives in Illinois House Districts 51 and 52 that it comprises.
In Senate District 26, Democrat Nabeela Syed’s General Assembly experience sets her apart. We endorsed Syed for House District 51 in 2024 after her first term demonstrated a strong command of state issues. Since then, she has continued to focus on education funding, senior property-tax relief, health care and data-center safeguards. Republican incumbent Darby Hills combines her legislative record with her background as a former prosecutor, focusing her platform on spending restraint, property taxes and criminal justice. Hills was appointed to the Senate seat in February 2025 after Dan McConchie’s resignation. Syed’s legislative record and engagement on a broad range of issues appeals to us once again. Syed is endorsed.
Senate District 26 is largely situated in southern Lake County with dips into eastern Kane and northwestern Cook counties.
In District 51, Republican Lori Smith and Democrat Jenny Levin bring sharply different backgrounds to the open seat currently held by Syed. Smith has nearly 30 years in education, including special-education administration, and she emphasizes spending and property-tax restraint, education accountability and AI safeguards in schools. Levin, a registered nurse with emergency room and ambulance experience and a master’s degree in health care law, policy and management, offers specific proposals on fiscal, health and public safety issues. She supports constitutional tax reform, increased state school funding paired with property tax reductions, preventive health care, affordable housing and greater local control over data centers. Her combination of health care expertise, community involvement and detailed proposals makes Levin a solid candidate. Levin is endorsed.
In District 52, incumbent Republican Martin McLaughlin brings a lengthy Springfield record focused on fiscal responsibility. We endorsed him in 2020 for his energy and resourcefulness, in 2022 for his measured approach to state government and in 2024 as a steadfast voice for controlled spending. Democratic challenger Maria Peterson emphasizes lower costs for working families, affordable housing, gun-violence prevention, health care and tax changes. While Peterson is a strong candidate, McLaughlin’s experience and focus on fiscal restraint and oversight continue to make him the stronger choice. McLaughlin is endorsed.