Homer Markel

Homer Markel is the Democratic candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives, District 118, in the November 3, 2026 general election, in which he faces incumbent Republican Scott Doody.[1] A Navy veteran and retired Illinois Department of Corrections employee who led an AFSCME local, he said in a Ballotpedia survey that he is running on lower energy costs, property tax relief and job creation.[1][2]

Homer Markel served in the U.S. Navy from 1978 to 1982 and earned a high school diploma from Trico High School.[1] He said in a Ballotpedia survey that he worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for 27 years and served seven years as president of AFSCME Local 1175.[2] Markel said he has been a member of IBEW Local 702, AFSCME Local 1175 and Laborers' Local 773, and that he sat on the negotiating committee for four master contracts.[2] He is retired.[1]

Markel advanced from the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary for District 118.[1] In his survey, he said he wants to lower energy bills by expanding access to solar power, add oversight and audits of TIF districts and Enterprise Zones to help lower property taxes, and create jobs through infrastructure, broadband, workforce training and support for rural communities.[2] He named completion of the Port of Cairo and reopening of the Tamms Correctional Center as goals, and listed endorsements from the Illinois AFL-CIO and Laborers' Local 773.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.