With about 95% of the votes tallied, IL Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) is projected to win her eighth term in the Illinois House. She beat Republican challenger Charles Hutchinson by about 79% to 21%.
The New York Times called the race for Gabel at about 7:50 p.m., with data from The Associated Press.
Gabel, who was appointed House Majority Leader in January 2023, is focused on expanding health care access, increasing gun safety and protecting abortion access at the legislature, according to her campaign website. She represents all of Evanston except for a sliver of the 6th Ward.
“I’m so proud to be part of a community that really leads on issues that matter most,” Gabel said. “It’s really such an honor to continue to make our voices heard in Springfield.”
During her time in the state House, Gabel helped balance the state’s budget and pass legislation requiring electric vehicle charging stations in some homes. Gabel said she’s also led efforts to decrease healthcare inequities for Black women in childbirth. She helped pass the Birth Equity Act in 2024, which mandates that health insurance in Illinois cover abortions and other pregnancy-related care without extra costs.
Currently, Gabel serves as Rules Committee chair in the Illinois House. She also heads the Medicaid working group and serves on the energy working group.
Gabel assumed her current leadership position as the Democratic establishment in Springfield reorganized after the indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on bribery and racketeering charges. She said new legislative leaders have taken action to prevent corruption.
“The main step we took was to have House rules that the Speaker can only serve for 10 years,” Gabel said. “So nobody can build up that kind of power.”
Her opponent, Hutchinson, is a Wilmette attorney who formerly served as president of the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce. He campaigned on a platform of reigning in state government spending and decreasing the cost of living in Illinois, he told The Daily Tuesday night.
Hutchinson said he doesn’t dispute current projections for Gabel. While Hutchinson said he expected the result, “it’s always tough to lose.”
“I think I did a good job,” Hutchinson said. “You’re out there talking to the voters is what you have to do.”
Gabel also beat Hutchinson with more than 80% of the vote in 2022.
Before her time in the General Assembly, Gabel served as executive director of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition from 1988-2010. She was appointed to the Commission on the Elimination of Poverty in March 2009.
Moving forward, Gabel said she’ll continue to champion the environment and reproductive health care access in Illinois.
“Those will continue to be my principles every day,” she said. “Taking those issues back to Springfield with me.”
