Paul Nolley

Paul Nolley is the Democratic nominee for Illinois's 16th Congressional District. A Rockford native, he began his career working on a state senator's campaign, then worked with community organizations before becoming executive director of Project First Rate, which advocates for union contractors and tradespeople. He was unopposed in the March 2026 Democratic primary.[1][2]

Nolley was born in Rockford, Illinois, and, according to Roscoe News, grew up in Rockford and South Beloit before attending Hononegah High School in Rockton and then Illinois State University.[1][3] He describes a working-class upbringing: his father was a mechanic and his mother worked several jobs, neither with a college education, and he held blue-collar jobs in restaurants and on farms.[2] After college Nolley worked on State Sen. Steve Stadelman's 2012 campaign, then for community organizations including the YMCA, United Way and Habitat for Humanity.[2]

Nolley is executive director of Project First Rate, described by NPR Illinois / WNIJ as an organization advocating for union contractors and tradespeople.[1][2] Roscoe News reports that he lives in Roscoe with his wife, a special education teacher, and their two children.[3] He advanced from the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary unopposed, with 38,665 votes.[1]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.