* From Sen. Mike Connelly’s Facebook page…

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported my campaign. While Election night ended with us hopeful, we soon learned in the 3 days that followed that 14,000 absentee ballots arrived at the DuPage Election Commission that still needed to be counted. Unfortunately, with those votes now counted, we are going to come up short. I congratulate my opponent and her supporters. I am proud of the campaign we’ve run, and I am forever grateful for the honor to represent the 21st Senate District. Thank you again, and may each and every one of you have a Happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Connelly (R-Lisle) lost to Laura Ellman (D-Naperville).

The Senate Democrats picked up three seats. They now have a 40-19 advantage.

And to be clear about how big this Connelly pickup is, the two House members in his district are Jeanne Ives and Grant Wehrli.