Illinois's 17th Congressional District

Illinois's 17th Congressional District is represented by Eric Sorensen (Democrat), who has held the seat since 2023. Sorensen has an overall VoteSee report card grade of C, voted in 99% of roll-call votes on bills this Congress, and votes with the Democratic majority 93% of the time. The district includes Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington. It takes in all or part of 14 counties; the most populous parts are in Winnebago County and Rock Island County. About 746,000 people live in the district, and the median household income is $59,364.

Current Representative

Eric Sorensen (Democrat) has represented Illinois's 17th Congressional District since 2023.

VoteSee report card grade: C
Attendance in the 119th Congress: 99% of roll-call votes on bills
Votes with the Democrat majority: 93%

See Eric Sorensen's full voting record and issue positions →

2026 Election

U.S. House: Illinois 17th District

Winner: Eric Sorensen.

Incumbent Eric Sorensen is running for re-election. 2 candidates were on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot.

Eric Sorensen (Democratic), incumbent: raised $2.7M, $1.3M cash on hand; VoteSee report card C; 99% attendance; votes with the Democratic majority 93% of the time
Dillan Vancil (Republican): raised $406K, $52K cash on hand

Polls: No public polls

See the full 2026 race →

District Demographics

Population: 746,022
Median household income: $59,364
Median age: 39
Median home value: $132,800
Bachelor's degree or higher: 24.5%

Source: American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, 119th Congress boundaries.

How Sorensen Voted Recently

Yea on American Enrichment Deployment Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Retire through Ownership Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Ratepayer Protection Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed

Breaks with the Democrat majority

Yea on Main Street Act (Jul 21, 2026) — Passed
No on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 (Jul 15, 2026) — Failed
Nay on Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 (Jul 14, 2026) — Passed

Who Held This Seat Before

Members of Congress who previously represented Illinois's 17th Congressional District. District lines are redrawn after each census, so earlier members may have represented a different area under this number.

Cheri Bustos — Democrat (2013–2023)
Bobby Schilling — Republican (2011–2013)
Phil Hare — Democrat (2007–2011)
Lane Evans — Democrat (1983–2007)
George O’Brien — Republican (1973–1983)
Leslie Arends — Republican (1935–1973)
James Gillespie — Democrat (1933–1935)
Homer Hall — Republican (1927–1933)
Frank Funk — Republican (1921–1927)
Frank Smith — Republican (1919–1921)
John Sterling — Republican (1915–1919)
Louis Fitzhenry — Democrat (1913–1915)

Where the District Is

Illinois's 17th Congressional District covers 4,482 square miles of land. Boundaries are for the current (119th) Congress.

Counties

Winnebago County (part): 20% of residents
Rock Island County: 19% of residents
Peoria County (part): 16% of residents
McLean County (part): 11% of residents
Whiteside County: 7% of residents
Knox County: 7% of residents
Stephenson County (part): 4% of residents
Fulton County (part): 4% of residents
Henry County (part): 3% of residents
Carroll County: 2% of residents
McDonough County (part): 2% of residents
Warren County (part): 2% of residents
Tazewell County (part): 2% of residents
Mercer County (part): 1% of residents

Largest communities

Rockford (part)
Peoria (part)
Bloomington (part)
Moline
Normal (part)
Rock Island
Galesburg
Freeport