* Sen. Linda Holmes…

After 20 years representing Illinois’ 42nd District, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes announced Monday that she will not seek reelection and will withdraw her name from the November 2026 ballot. Holmes, who was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2006, said the progression of Multiple Sclerosis, a condition she’s lived with for 37 years, has led her to make the difficult decision to retire from public office at the conclusion of her current term. Senator Holmes issued this statement reflecting on her decision and her years of public service:

“This is a difficult letter to write to my friends, colleagues and supporters. It is with a heavy heart that I will withdraw my name from the November 3, 2026 ballot. As many of you know, I have had MS for 37 years. While I have been fortunate these past several decades to have been able to operate with few symptoms, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is now forcing me to slow down.

“I am very grateful to have represented the 42nd District in the Illinois State Senate for the past 20 years. Serving constituents since I was elected in 2006 has been a true honor. It is a task I never took lightly. I have treasured being able to have been your voice in Springfield.

“I was pivotal in helping Illinois achieve the status of being one of the most pet friendly states in our nation. Because of MS and living with a chronic disease, I have fought for better health insurance for all people. As a past business owner, I carried legislation to help small businesses. I fought hard to protect and provide good paying jobs in Illinois. As a former Kane County Board member and neighborhood advocate, I fiercely protected local control for the 1,294 cities, towns and villages that make up Illinois. Throughout the pandemic, I was the Senate leader working on unemployment issues and ensuring we maintained a stable unemployment trust fund. That was a collaborative effort with both legislative chambers and both political parties, as well as representatives from both business and labor.

“The legislation of which I am most proud to have sponsored is Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). MAID allows terminally ill individuals with a prognosis of six months or less to live to have the choice to end their life with dignity. This was a passion project to honor my parents, who both passed from terminal cancer. That law goes into effect September 2026.

“I intend to serve the full remainder of my term and will be active from now until January 2027 to personally meet with the elected officials in my district who strive each day to build strong communities and neighborhoods. I cherish the opportunity to meet with as many constituents as possible and express my heartfelt gratitude for their trust in me and allowing me this opportunity of a lifetime.

* Capitol News Illinois…

Just who that somebody else will be on November’s ballot is up to the Democratic County chairs based on a weighted vote in the four counties where Holmes has constituents — Kane (about 41%), Kendall (about 29%), DuPage (about 19%), and Will (about 11%).

Holmes declined to mention who she’ll be backing for the nomination — though she does have a preferred candidate. That person would face Aurora Republican Edgardo “Eddie” Perez.

“We want to give people the opportunity to run,” she said. […]

[Kane County Democratic Party chair Mark Guethle] will wield 41% of the vote when the Democratic chairs sit down to name Holmes’ replacement on the ballot. Holmes’ opinion on her successor, he said, will carry a lot of weight, at least for him.

“She worked hard for this many years, and she’s entitled to what she thinks would be the best fit,” he said.