State Rep. Mark Walker is moving to the other chamber in the General Assembly, appointed Saturday to take the state Senate post Ann Gillespie held before she was tapped to head the Department of Insurance.
Walker, D-Arlington Heights, had been the state representative for the 53rd District and is now the new state senator for the 27th District. The senate district includes most or parts of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg.
“Over my time serving the 53rd District in the House, I’ve represented most of the people and communities of the 27th District. It’s great to be representing them again and I’m excited to continue advocating for our communities in Springfield,” Walker stated in a news release announcing his appointment.
Gillespie resigned April 14 after Gov. J.B. Priztker appointed her acting director of the Illinois Department of Insurance, which regulates insurance industry behavior, provides information to Illinoisans about insurance providers and functions as an outlet to file grievances or complaints against insurance providers.
The release explains that the local Township Democratic Committee of the 27th District met Saturday to fill the vacancy. Walker received the majority of votes.
It was not immediately clear who else may have been considered for the post.
“Sen. Gillespie was a tremendous Senator and I thank her for her service to the 27th District,” Walker stated in the release.
Gillespie has been a state senator since 2019 and is a former business executive, health care attorney and health care consultant, according to the governor’s office.
She was a sponsor of legislation last year that authorized a state-based health insurance marketplace. The marketplace goes live for insurance plans in 2026.
As a state representative, Walker announced in March that he sponsored House Bill 4858, which calls for the state to establish a $3,000 state tax credit for eligible residents paying off their student loan debt. It’s an effort, he stated in a news release announcing the bill, that would “help alleviate burdensome student loan debt.”
Walker’s senate appointment is immediate.
“I’m looking forward to a seamless transition into this new position so we can continue working for Illinoisans delivering another balanced budget, meeting our pension obligations, and building an Illinois for all,” he stated.
The Chicago Tribune contributed.
