Who Is Running in Illinois Congressional District 17th in 2026?

Congressman Eric Sorensen has secured federal community project funding, including $500,000 for infrastructure in Rockford and Peoria, and over $33 million for Illinois' 17th District. He supports bipartisan legislation to provide a 35% pay increase for federal correctional officers. Sorensen voted against the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act and the Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act. He emphasizes tackling inflation and creating good-paying jobs.

Representative Eric Sorensen supports allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices to lower costs for Americans. He voted for legislation aimed at making health insurance more affordable, citing that families should not face bankruptcy for basic healthcare. Sorensen is also willing to bargain on Affordable Care Act subsidies to ensure continued affordability.

Eric Sorensen supports abortion access and reproductive rights, opposing state-level restrictions. He co-sponsored the Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support Services (ACCESS) Act to ensure access to care regardless of state. Sorensen argues that leaving abortion access to individual states creates massive inequality and hardship, asserting that individuals deserve the best available care when making difficult decisions.

Congressman Eric Sorensen supports protecting the Department of Education, increasing teacher pay, and strengthening recruitment and retention efforts. He advocates for ensuring schools receive promised federal funding, recognizing that budget shortfalls and growing class sizes negatively impact students and educators. He emphasizes the need for stability and support for students, and a federal partner that listens to educators.