IL Senate Democrats, part of the Illinois State Senate, is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, representing the legislative branch of the state government. Working together with the House of Representatives, the 59 members of the State Senate pass legislation that affects the nearly 13 million residents of Illinois. Each Senate district, comprising approximately 217,000 residents, is represented by two state representatives.

The terms of service are staggered and range from two to four years based on the district. The General Assembly convenes annually on the second Wednesday in January. Each day’s session is called to order by the Senate president, with a printed calendar outlining the bills to be considered.

The members engage in debates reflecting their political viewpoints and the regions they represent, ultimately voting on each bill. Additionally, IL Senate Democrats oversee committees, propose bills, and review non-elected appointees