Illinois Senate District 33: Penman, Clark Face Off For Open Seat In 2026 Election

ST. CHARLES, IL — Two newcomer are facing off this election in the Illinois' 33rd Senate District race.

Voters will decide whether Republican Danielle Penman of St. Charles or Democrat Michele Clark of Algonquin should occupy the open seat in the Illinois General Assembly during Tuesday's general election. The first-time candidates are seeking to replace Republican state Sen. Don DeWitte, who has represented the district since 2018 and is not seeking reelection.

The race is among several suburban legislative contests drawing attention from both political parties as Democrats seek to expand their majorities in Springfield and Republicans work to retain seats in traditionally competitive districts, according to NPR. The 33rd District includes portions of Kane and McHenry counties, including communities such as St. Charles, Geneva, Elgin, Algonquin, Carpentersville and Lake in the Hills.

The district could prove competitive in November. Vice President Kamala Harris carried it by approximately 2.5 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, while Gov. JB Pritzker won it by about 5 points in 2022, according to an October report from Capitol News Illinois published by WVIK.

Both candidates say making Illinois more affordable is a top priority, but they have different approaches to addressing property taxes, state spending, education funding and other issues facing residents.

Penman, 49, is a labor and delivery nurse with more than 26 years of healthcare experience. Clark, 53, is a former small business owner and non-profit leader who currently serves as director of development for the Community Unit School District 300 Food Pantry.

Neither has previously held elected office.

Meet The Candidates

Penman, a longtime St. Charles resident, holds a master's degree in executive nurse leadership and bachelor's degrees in nursing and science, with a focus on mental health advocacy.

In her responses to Patch's 2026 candidate questionnaire, Penman described herself as a political outsider who decided to run because of concerns about rising household expenses and the direction of state government. She defeated Jessica Breugelmans in the March Republican primary, receiving 6,987 votes to Breugelmans' 4,852.

Penman has made reducing property taxes, lowering electricity costs and cutting government spending central themes of her campaign. Clark, meanwhile, has spent much of her career working with children, families and non-profit organizations.

She previously owned and operated an early childhood learning center before becoming chief operating officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township, where she oversaw a multimillion-dollar budget. Clark now works with the D300 Food Pantry, helping raise support for programs aimed at addressing food insecurity among local families.

In an Oct. 16 candidate questionnaire published by the Daily Herald, Clark identified affordability, government ethics and healthcare costs as major issues she would address if elected.

Clark ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Property Taxes And The Cost Of Living

Property taxes have emerged as a major issue in the campaign, with both candidates arguing that Illinois homeowners need relief.

Penman supports increasing homeowner exemptions and adjusting those exemptions for inflation so their value keeps pace with rising costs. She also wants the state to reconsider requirements imposed on schools and local governments without sufficient funding, according to her candidate profile published on Patch.

• 2026 Election: Danielle Penman, Illinois Senate District 33

Penman argues unfunded state mandates contribute to higher property taxes because local governments must find ways to pay for additional expenses. She favors reviewing the state budget for duplicate programs, unnecessary administrative spending and outdated initiatives before considering tax increases, according to her candidate profile.

Clark also supports reducing property taxes but has proposed seeking alternative, progressive revenue sources to help fund government services. She supports increasing state funding for schools through Illinois' Evidence-Based Funding model and expanding eligibility for property tax freezes for senior homeowners, according to her responses to a Daily Herald candidate questionnaire.

She supports identifying alternative revenue sources, including progressive revenue measures, to reduce the reliance on property taxes for schools and local government services. Clark also wants to expand eligibility for senior property tax freezes, which she says would help longtime homeowners remain in their communities despite rising expenses.

On her campaign website, Clark identifies childcare costs, groceries, housing and property taxes among the financial challenges facing suburban families.

Both candidates have called for lowering healthcare costs.

Penman supports efforts to reduce insurance premiums and prescription drug expenses while strengthening Illinois' healthcare workforce. Clark wants to address prescription drug costs, improve access to care for seniors and help small businesses provide health insurance to employees, according to her candidate profile on the Daily Herald.

Patch invited both candidates in the 33rd Illinois Senate District race to complete questionnaires outlining their backgrounds, qualifications and priorities ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Republican Danielle Penman submitted her responses, while Democrat Michele Clark has not yet responded to Patch's questionnaire.

Education And School Funding

The candidates have different priorities for addressing education funding and the financial pressures facing school districts.

Clark supports increasing state contributions to public education through Illinois' Evidence-Based Funding model, which directs additional resources toward districts with greater financial needs, according to her Daily Herald candidate profile. She argues greater state support could reduce the pressure on local property taxpayers while helping schools maintain essential programs.

Clark also supports school meal programs, expanded youth services and stronger partnerships between educational institutions and employers, according to her campaign website. Her campaign has emphasized protecting school funding and expanding career training opportunities, including apprenticeships and workforce development programs.

Penman, meanwhile, has focused on the financial consequences of state mandates imposed on local school districts. She argues when lawmakers establish new requirements for schools, the state should provide adequate funding rather than leaving local taxpayers responsible for additional costs, according to Penman's candidate questionnaire on Patch.com.

Energy Costs And Data Centers

Rising electricity costs and the rapid expansion of data centers have become another issue in the campaign.

Penman has expressed concerns about Illinois' energy policies and the possibility of retiring existing power plants before sufficient replacement electricity generation is available. She argues the state should prioritize maintaining a reliable energy supply while making it easier to develop additional generation capacity.

On data centers, Penman supports requiring developers to disclose their projected electricity, water and infrastructure needs before projects receive approval. She believes local governments should retain primary authority over whether proposed data centers are appropriate for their communities.

Penman also argues developers, rather than nearby residents, should bear the infrastructure costs associated with major projects.

Clark likewise supports local control over data center proposals. In her Daily Herald questionnaire, she said local residents, municipal leaders, labor organizations and other stakeholders should have opportunities to evaluate the effects of proposed developments.

Clark wants environmental concerns, water consumption and potential increases in utility bills considered before projects move forward.

Both candidates agree new data centers should not shift additional utility or infrastructure costs onto surrounding residents.

Immigration And Public Safety

The candidates have taken different positions on Illinois' immigration policies and the role of federal immigration authorities.

Penman believes federal immigration laws should be enforced and that Illinois should allow federal authorities to carry out their responsibilities. She has argued that people living in the country illegally who commit serious crimes should not be released back into communities.

At the same time, Penman says immigration enforcement should respect individual dignity and prioritize keeping families together when children are involved.

Clark has criticized federal immigration enforcement actions that she says have negatively affected families and communities, according to the Daily Herald. She supports local law enforcement agencies working to maintain public safety regardless of residents' immigration status.

On criminal justice, Clark supports increasing police funding and strengthening efforts to combat gun violence. She backs Illinois' assault weapons ban and restrictions on untraceable ghost guns, and supports tougher penalties for people who illegally bring firearms into the state, according to her campaign website and responses to a Daily Herald candidate questionnaire.

Clark supports Illinois' assault weapons ban and restrictions on untraceable ghost guns. She also favors tougher penalties for people who illegally bring firearms into Illinois from neighboring states.

Clark has also said the state's elimination of cash bail under the SAFE-T Act created issues that should be addressed through additional legislation developed with law enforcement officials.

Penman has focused on public safety technology, including automated license plate readers. She believes the cameras can help police investigate serious crimes but supports clearer restrictions on how collected information is stored, accessed and shared.

Government Ethics And Accountability

Both candidates say reforms are needed to strengthen accountability in Springfield.

Clark supports term limits for legislative leadership positions and restrictions preventing former lawmakers from immediately becoming lobbyists. She also favors prohibiting elected officials from owning individual stocks while serving in office and supports measures aimed at reducing the influence of undisclosed political spending.

Penman has emphasized her independence from established political organizations and says she would be willing to work with lawmakers from either party.

She supports strengthening procedures for investigating sexual harassment complaints involving state legislators.

Under her proposal, credible allegations would be referred to the Legislative Inspector General for review, with additional protections against retaliation.

Clark favors an independent, neutral oversight process for sexual harassment complaints rather than relying on internal legislative investigations.

Chicago Bears Stadium

The candidates also addressed whether Illinois taxpayers should help finance a potential new stadium for the Chicago Bears.

Both support keeping the NFL franchise in Illinois but oppose using taxpayer money to directly finance construction of a privately owned stadium.

Penman believes the Bears should pay for the stadium itself, although she supports discussions about public infrastructure improvements and a predictable tax arrangement, according to her responses to Patch's questionnaire.

Clark has similarly argued that public resources should prioritize essential services and that stadium agreements should not increase the financial burden on homeowners and small businesses, according to her candidate profile on the Daily Herald.

More information about the candidates is available through Penman's campaign website and Clark's campaign website.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. For full coverage of the 2026 election in Illinois, go here.