In 1992, Carol Moseley Braun became the first African American woman to be elected to the United States Senate.

Calvin Sutker of Skokie served as state party chairman until 1986 when he lost his committeeman seat to reform Democrat Jeffrey Paul Smith.

[1] Sutker was succeeded by Vince Demuzio, who served from 1986 to 1990 and is credited with rebuilding the Illinois Democratic Party.

[2] Demuzio was then defeated by Gary LaPaille, then-chief of staff for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

It relies on an organizational structure of ward and township committeemen to elect candidates.