Newly Named State Sen. Mark Walker (D-27th), of Arlington Heights, (File photo)
State Sen. Mark Walker (D-27th) announced this week that he will not seek reelection, either to the Illinois General Assembly nor to his role as Wheeling Township Democratic committeeman, when the terms for those two offices end in 2027.
“I feel like I’m done,” Walker told the Journal & Topics on Thursday (July 31). “I’m 76 years old and my wife wants me home.” He said he will serve out those full terms.
“I ran for the General Assembly because I want people to be proud of Illinois again,” Walker said in a written statement. “Whether helping to improve Illinois’ fiscal position or enacting reforms to help all Illinoisans, my focus has always been on moving our state forward. I’m deeply thankful to the residents of the 27th District for trusting me to represent them in Springfield.”
Walker served as a state representative from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2024. In June 2024, he was appointed to replace State Sen. Anne Gillespie (D-27th) who was appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker to head the Illinois Dept. of Insurance.
The 27th Senate District includes parts of Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, Palatine and Rolling Meadows.
Reflecting on last year’s dropping out of the U.S. presidential race by Joe Biden and loss by Vice President Kamala Harris to Donald Trump, Walker said the torch needs to be passed to a new generation of leaders.
“I think a new generation should figure out new approaches to the values we have,” Walker said.
When asked if there were any specific people he might back for either his state senate seat or role as a Democratic committeeman, Walker said he wanted to allow the democratic process to play itself out first.
Walker said during his time in Springfield, he “tried to focus on the more difficult things.” He said he was particularly proud of his work and vote to end the death penalty in Illinois. He also said he was proud of his work on pension reform, regulating cryptocurrency, and in the area of quantum computing. He spearheaded groundbreaking legislation returning Shabbona Lake State Park to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, creating Illinois’ first Indian reservation and “righting a nearly two-century-old injustice.”
Other prominent Illinois Democrats in recent months have chosen to retire at the end of their terms, including U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D), causing a flurry of campaigns for higher office.
The post Walker Won’t Seek Reelection To State Senate, Township Committeeman Post first appeared on Journal & Topics Media Group.
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