Patrick Hanley

Patrick Hanley is the Democratic candidate for Illinois State Senate District 9 in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against Republican Tom Lally in a race with no incumbent. A small business owner, he holds degrees from The George Washington University and the University of Chicago.[1]

Hanley was born in Evanston, Illinois, and graduated from Glenbrook North High School.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree from The George Washington University in 2010 and a graduate degree from the University of Chicago in 2020.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he said he spent a decade in Washington, D.C., in government and supporting U.S. businesses in Asia, then earned M.P.P. and M.B.A. degrees at the University of Chicago.[2]

Hanley said that he advised governors and state agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic and joined his wife, Jessica, in growing Piglet in Bed, a linen bedding and homewares company.[2] He also said he served as environmental chair in his hometown and founded Operation Swing State, which he said mobilized more than 10,000 Illinois volunteers to knock on doors in Michigan and Wisconsin.[2] He won the Democratic primary on March 17, 2026.[1]

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