CHICAGO — State Rep. Margaret Croke won the Illinois comptroller’s race in November 2026, pledging to protect taxpayer dollars, pay state bills on time and bring greater transparency to state spending.
Croke, a Democrat who represented Chicago’s 12th District in the Illinois House from 2021 to 2026, said in a statement following her victory that she would build on the state’s fiscal progress.
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“Tonight on election night, the people of Illinois have made clear that they want to keep moving our state forward, and I’m incredibly honored and humbled to have earned their trust as our next Comptroller,” Croke said.
Croke, who won the Democratic primary in March, pointed to balanced budgets, the elimination of a bill backlog and credit upgrades under Democratic leadership.
“As Comptroller, I’ll build on that progress by protecting taxpayer dollars, paying our bills on time, and bringing greater transparency and accountability to state spending,” she said.
Gov. JB Pritzker praised Croke in a statement released after her victory.
“Margaret Croke is an extraordinary public servant, and she will be an excellent state comptroller,” Pritzker said. “She understands that responsible fiscal stewardship matters for all Illinoisans, and she will fight every day to do right by working families.”
During her tenure in the Illinois House, Croke chaired the House Financial Institutions and Licensing Committee. Her previous roles included Illinois regional director for Hillary for America, women’s outreach director and transition team member for Pritzker’s 2018 campaign, and leadership positions in the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
She also served as treasurer and a board member of Think Big America, a reproductive rights advocacy organization.
Born in Oak Park, Croke earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Michigan. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Patrick, and their three children.
“As a mom of three young kids and the only woman who will serve in statewide executive office, I’m proud to represent a new generation of leadership committed to building a stronger future for our state,” Croke said.
