Hanley, Lally Vie for Illinois Senate District 9
Democrat Patrick Hanley and Republican Tom Lally face off November 3 to fill the open seat left by State Sen. Laura Fine.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Elections
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Patrick Hanley and Tom Lally are on the ballot for Illinois State Senate District 9 in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The seat is open because State Sen. Laura Fine, who has served since 2019, chose not to seek reelection.
Why it matters
The race will determine who represents a district spanning parts of Chicago and a string of North Shore and suburban communities in the Illinois Senate. Fine's decision leaves the seat open after she unsuccessfully ran for the 9th Congressional District seat in the March primary.
Fine has represented District 9 since 2019 and ran unsuccessfully for the 9th Congressional District in the March primary. The general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The players
Patrick Hanley
Hanley is a small business owner and political organizer who won the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 9.
Tom Lally
Lally is the Republican nominee for Illinois State Senate District 9, a Wilmette native who was unopposed in the March primary.
Laura Fine
Fine is the Illinois state senator who has represented District 9 since 2019 and chose not to seek reelection.
The details
Hanley is a small business owner and political organizer whose priorities include affordability, healthcare, public education and safety. Lally, who grew up in North Evanston and Wilmette, was approached by the Illinois District 9 Organization in spring 2026 and campaigns on affordability, taxes, policing, schools, jobs and immigration.
Timeline
• March 2026: Democratic and Republican primaries held; Fine runs in the 9th Congressional District primary.
• Spring 2026: Illinois District 9 Organization approaches Lally to run.
• Tuesday, November 3, 2026: General election for Illinois State Senate District 9.
Political Context
Fine's decision to leave the seat open after a failed congressional bid marks a departure from her continuous service since 2019. Lally's opponents and supporters will test how the district's partisan balance holds in a contest without an incumbent on the ballot.
District 9 residents will choose a new state senator on November 3, 2026, and that person will represent them in Springfield. The outcome will shape state policy on issues the candidates have highlighted, including taxes, schools and public safety.
The takeaway
Voters in Illinois State Senate District 9 should review each candidate's stated priorities before the November 3, 2026 election, since the open seat means no incumbent is on the ballot.
What happens next
The general election will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026, when voters choose the next State Senator for District 9.
Further reading
For more on how these races are decided, explore Elections coverage across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Patch.
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