Ellman Wins Illinois Senate District 21 Race
Democrat Laura Ellman is projected to hold her Illinois Senate seat after defeating Republican Julie Berkowicz.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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The Associated Press called the Illinois Senate District 21 race for Laura Ellman at 9:37 p.m. Tuesday, with 94% of votes counted. Ellman held 66.5% of the vote to Julie Berkowicz's 33.5%.
Why it matters
The result returns Ellman to a seat she has held since 2018 and keeps her in position to continue leading environmental policy in the state Senate. Illinois voters in the district have reelected a sitting senator with a clear majority.
With 94% of votes counted, Ellman held 66.5% of the vote against Berkowicz's 33.5%. Official certification is not expected for two weeks, so the figures remain unofficial until then.
The players
Laura Ellman
Illinois state senator who chairs the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee and has worked to make overdose reversal drugs more accessible.
Julie Berkowicz
Will County Board member and Will County Forest Preserve commissioner who lost the Senate District 21 race.
The details
Ellman, who was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2018, chairs the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee and created the state's Hydrogen Economy Task Force. Berkowicz, a Will County Board member and Will County Forest Preserve commissioner, lost the race in the district that includes Naperville, home city of both candidates.
Timeline
2018: Ellman first elected to the Illinois Senate.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: The Associated Press called the race for Ellman at 9:37 p.m.
Two weeks after the election: Results are certified.
Legislative Policy Continuity
Ellman's reelection preserves continuity on the Hydrogen Economy Task Force she created, which she has used to shape Illinois energy policy. Her continued tenure as chair of the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee places her to guide that agenda into the next session.
Ellman's continued Senate seat means her committee leadership on environmental and conservation issues carries into the next legislative term for Illinois residents in District 21. Because certification takes two weeks, the outcome is not official until then.
The takeaway
Voters in Illinois Senate District 21 have chosen continuity in environmental leadership, with a sitting senator and committee chair holding her seat. Readers tracking state energy policy should watch the certified results and the next legislative session.
Further reading
Explore more coverage of Legislative Policy in Illinois.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Shaw Local.
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