Don Harmon

Don Harmon
Name	Don Harmon
Office	President of the Illinois Senate
Term start	January 2019
Term end	January 2023
Predecessor	John Cullerton
Successor	[See text]
Birth date	August 20, 1966
Birth place	Oak Park, Illinois
Party	Democratic Party (United States)
Spouse	Stacy Davis
Alma mater	Georgetown University (B.A.), Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D.)

Don Harmon

Don Harmon is an American politician and attorney who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate representing the 39th District and as President of the Illinois Senate. Harmon has been active in Illinois state politics, legislative leadership, and legal practice, with a career spanning work in the Illinois House of Representatives, state legislative staff roles, and community organizations in Cook County, Illinois.

Early life and education

Harmon was born in Oak Park, Illinois and raised in the Chicago metropolitan area, attending local schools before enrolling at Georgetown University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. He completed legal studies at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, receiving a Juris Doctor. During his university years he engaged with civic organizations connected to Cook County and the Illinois Democratic Party, building ties to political figures and institutions such as the Illinois General Assembly and municipal offices in Chicago and its suburbs.

Early career and legal work

Following law school, Harmon served in legal and legislative roles that connected him with prominent Illinois leaders and institutions. He worked as legislative counsel and staff aide for members of the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate, advising on statutory interpretation and constituent services. Harmon later practiced law at firms and counsel offices serving clients before state agencies and courts in Cook County and the Seventh Circuit, drawing on interactions with entities such as the Illinois Attorney General's office and regional legal associations. His legal work intersected with public policy issues addressed by the Illinois Department of Revenue and local municipal law offices.

Illinois House of Representatives

Harmon was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives from a district in the Near West Side and adjacent suburbs, joining a caucus that included long-serving legislators and incoming leaders. In the House, he served on committees that worked with chairpersons representing districts across Cook County, the City of Chicago, and collar counties, collaborating on legislation touching pension reform, appropriations, and local government matters. Harmon built legislative relationships with representatives from delegations in Chicago neighborhoods and suburban communities, engaging with issues often negotiated in the context of statewide initiatives advanced by the Illinois General Assembly leadership.

Illinois Senate

Harmon was elected to the Illinois Senate representing the 39th District, succeeding a predecessor who had long represented parts of Orland Park, Berwyn, and sections of Cook County. In the Senate, Harmon rose through leadership ranks, serving as Democratic floor leader before being elected President of the Illinois Senate. As President, he presided over sessions in the State Capitol (Springfield, Illinois), managed the Senate Democratic caucus, and coordinated with executives including the Governor of Illinois and state agency heads. His tenure overlapped with other statewide officeholders and caucus leaders, requiring negotiations on budgets, appointments, and legislative strategy with figures from both Chicago and downstate delegations.

Legislative initiatives and political positions

Harmon sponsored and supported legislation addressing fiscal matters, public pension adjustments, criminal justice reforms, and local government concerns. He worked on budgetary measures with leaders from the Illinois House of Representatives and engaged with committees that intersected with the Illinois Department of Corrections and revenue authorities. Harmon took positions on tax legislation, infrastructure funding, and measures affecting municipal finance that involved stakeholders such as county boards in Cook County and municipal mayors across the Chicago metropolitan area. He also engaged in policy dialogues with advocacy organizations and unions active in Illinois politics, negotiating compromises on healthcare, labor, and public safety initiatives with statewide interest groups and municipal officials.

Electoral history

Harmon’s electoral contests included primary and general election campaigns for both the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate, competing in party primaries and general elections in districts encompassing parts of Cook County and suburban precincts. His campaigns involved endorsements from key Democratic actors, coordination with the Illinois Democratic Party, and engagement with local party organizations in municipalities such as Oak Park, Berwyn, and Forest Park. Across election cycles he faced opponents recruited by regional party organizations and independent groups, and his victories reflected coalition-building among urban and suburban Democratic voters in the Chicago area.

Personal life and community involvement

Harmon resides in the Chicago metropolitan area with his family and is married to Stacy Davis. He has been active in community organizations, civic boards, and charitable initiatives tied to neighborhoods within Cook County and institutions in Chicago. Outside the legislature, Harmon has engaged with nonprofit groups, bar associations, and educational institutions including alumni networks at Georgetown University and Loyola University Chicago, maintaining ties to legal, civic, and policy circles across the region.

Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the Illinois Senate Category:People from Oak Park, Illinois Category:Georgetown University alumni Category:Loyola University Chicago School of Law alumni