Michael W. Halpin
Democratic · IL · Illinois State Senator, District 36; Chair, Senate Appropriations-Education Committee
Michael W. Halpin is the Democratic Illinois state senator for District 36 and chair of the Senate Appropriations-Education Committee. An attorney and former District 72 state representative, he has worked on education, labor, veterans, consumer finance, human-trafficking prevention, guardianship safeguards, and Western Illinois economic development.
Campaign Finance Information — Illinois State Senator, 36th Legislative District
Campaign Finance Information · Illinois State Senator, 36th Legislative District · November 3, 2026
Data last updated July 27, 2026
- Raised
- $750,596
- Spent
- $249,593
- Cash on hand
- $689,480
- Debts
- $0
Top disclosed occupations of direct donors
- CEO & Chairman$7,300
- Consultant$1,500
- Farmer$1,000
- Owner$1,000
Direct contributions by size
- $5,000+$67,300
- $1,000-$4,999$37,500
- $500-$999$5,600
- $250-$499$6,550
- $100-$249$4,520
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections · 2026 cycle · elections.il.gov
Track record
Environment and Public Health
· 3 records
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 2842 concerning carbon-dioxide pipelines and eminent-domain authority.
January 1, 2026For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supports climate-change policies, natural-resource conservation, clean energy, stronger vehicle-emissions standards, and electric-vehicle adoption.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supported tax incentives intended to attract microchip manufacturing and strengthen domestic supply chains and union-friendly clean jobs.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Reduce Wealth Gap
· 3 records
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 2164 concerning wage-payment collection; it became Public Act 104-0135.
August 1, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supported tax incentives intended to attract microchip manufacturing and strengthen domestic supply chains and union-friendly clean jobs.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supported Illinois's $15 minimum wage, proposed making union dues deductible from state income taxes, sponsored a construction wage-theft bill, and supported striking UAW workers.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Anti-Corruption
· 1 record
Halpin supported ethics reforms barring former lawmakers from immediately lobbying their former colleagues.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Government Efficiency
· 3 records
Halpin chairs the Senate Appropriations-Education Committee, is vice-chair of Higher Education, and serves on Criminal Law, Veterans Affairs, Judiciary, and State Government committees.
July 17, 2026For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 1310 concerning Western Illinois University's borrowing authority; it became Public Act 104-0093.
August 1, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin says he consistently voted for balanced state budgets and sponsored legislation to increase Illinois's rainy-day fund.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Healthcare Affordability
· 4 records
Halpin supports abortion rights, maintaining Illinois protections associated with Roe v. Wade, birth-control access, Planned Parenthood, and women's health clinics.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supports more affordable health care, access to diabetes medication in schools, and caps on insulin prices across insurance plans.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supports housing and suicide-prevention services for veterans and additional mental-health resources and support for veterans' homes.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
As a state representative, Halpin passed House Bill 822 allowing schools to maintain undesignated glucagon supplies for emergencies involving children with diabetes.
August 18, 2017For
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Public Safety and Crime Control
· 4 records
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 3545 concerning pretrial-services records; the measure was sent to the governor in 2026.
June 1, 2026For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 1422 concerning recognition of human trafficking; it became Public Act 104-0099.
August 1, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supported legislation increasing law-enforcement funding, improving officer mental-health access, requiring body cameras, and expanding services for domestic-violence victims.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supported a policy preventing state employees from using state funds at hotels lacking certified human-trafficking-prevention training.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Housing Affordability
· 2 records
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 3398 concerning tenants in common; the measure was sent to the governor in June 2026.
June 29, 2026For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supported a middle-class homeowner property-tax refund as an affordability measure.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Social Programs and Welfare
· 3 records
Halpin serves on the board of Bridging the Gap: Stand Down for Homeless Veterans and provides free consultations and some pro bono representation to veterans.
July 17, 2026For
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 2928 appropriating funds for veterans and National Guard programs.
January 1, 2026For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supports housing and suicide-prevention services for veterans and additional mental-health resources and support for veterans' homes.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Public Education Quality
· 7 records
Halpin sponsored a measure enacted in June 2026 requiring tracking of Illinois's private student-loan borrowing market.
June 26, 2026For
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 1583 concerning school improvement; it became Public Act 104-0385.
August 15, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 1310 concerning Western Illinois University's borrowing authority; it became Public Act 104-0093.
August 1, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 2482 to authorize community-college baccalaureate degree programs.
February 7, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin voted for a back-to-school sales-tax holiday and a larger tax credit for teachers who buy classroom supplies.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supports evidence-based school funding, higher minimum salaries for teachers, and additional resources for parents, teachers, and student success.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
As a state representative, Halpin passed House Bill 822 allowing schools to maintain undesignated glucagon supplies for emergencies involving children with diabetes.
August 18, 2017For
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Women's Reproductive Rights
· 1 record
Halpin supports abortion rights, maintaining Illinois protections associated with Roe v. Wade, birth-control access, Planned Parenthood, and women's health clinics.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Election Integrity
· 1 record
Halpin sponsored legislation intended to prevent foreign nationals from contributing to Illinois ballot initiatives.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Personal Income Tax Reduction
· 2 records
Halpin voted for a back-to-school sales-tax holiday and a larger tax credit for teachers who buy classroom supplies.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supported Illinois's $15 minimum wage, proposed making union dues deductible from state income taxes, sponsored a construction wage-theft bill, and supported striking UAW workers.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Data Privacy
· 1 record
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 3545 concerning pretrial-services records; the measure was sent to the governor in 2026.
June 1, 2026For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Civil Rights
· 2 records
Halpin sponsored House Bill 3811, enacted in July 2026, adding qualifications, background checks, fee disclosures, financial standards, and reporting obligations for private professional guardians.
July 10, 2026For
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supported legislation increasing law-enforcement funding, improving officer mental-health access, requiring body cameras, and expanding services for domestic-violence victims.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Corporate Accountability
· 5 records
Halpin sponsored a measure enacted in June 2026 requiring tracking of Illinois's private student-loan borrowing market.
June 26, 2026For
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 2164 concerning wage-payment collection; it became Public Act 104-0135.
August 1, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 2351 concerning online auctions and estate sales; it became Public Act 104-0145.
August 1, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 1344 concerning workers' compensation timing; it became Public Act 104-0023.
June 30, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin sponsored legislation intended to prevent foreign nationals from contributing to Illinois ballot initiatives.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Public Infrastructure
· 2 records
Halpin sponsored Senate Bill 2842 concerning carbon-dioxide pipelines and eminent-domain authority.
January 1, 2026For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supports climate-change policies, natural-resource conservation, clean energy, stronger vehicle-emissions standards, and electric-vehicle adoption.
October 1, 2022For
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
General
· 6 records
Halpin won the uncontested 2026 Democratic primary for Illinois Senate District 36 with 14,532 votes.
March 17, 2026
Source: elections.il.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Michael W. Halpin has served as Illinois state senator for District 36 since January 2023 after previously serving as state representative for District 72.
January 11, 2023
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin won the 2022 general election for Illinois Senate District 36 with 38,454 votes, or 54.63 percent.
November 8, 2022
Source: elections.il.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin became a partner at McCarthy, Callas & Feeney in 2013, practicing labor and municipal law and representing individuals in estate-planning, traffic, and real-estate matters.
January 1, 2013
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin earned his law degree cum laude from the University of Illinois and clerked for former Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman.
January 1, 2010
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin worked for Congressman Lane Evans beginning in 2002 as a district scheduler and personal aide and as a liaison helping veterans obtain earned military honors.
January 1, 2002
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Integrity and Ethics
· 2 records
Halpin sponsored House Bill 3811, enacted in July 2026, adding qualifications, background checks, fee disclosures, financial standards, and reporting obligations for private professional guardians.
July 10, 2026
Source: senatorhalpin.com · researched July 18, 2026
Halpin supported ethics reforms barring former lawmakers from immediately lobbying their former colleagues.
October 1, 2022
Source: halpinforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Elections
- Illinois State Senator, 36th Legislative District · November 3, 2026 · State Senate District 36; Illinois · incumbent
Profile last researched July 18, 2026.