Eric Sorensen
U.S. Representative for IL-17 since 2023; former TV meteorologist of about 20 years; House Armed Services member.
Illinois 2026 › U.S. House IL-17
Illinois’ 17th Congressional District: who’s running on Nov. 3, 2026
2 candidates · Every summary links to its public source · Updated Oct 18, 2026
Summaries were compiled with AI assistance from public sources and are not independently verified. They may contain errors. Check the linked source.
Which candidate matches your views?
Compare on my issues →Pick your top 3 issues and see a match score in about a minute.
The candidates
Dillan S. Vancil
Co-founder and CEO of a Monmouth-based coffee shop chain; former West-Central School Board member and former union legislative director.
Where they stand, issue by issue
Cost of living
1 = More gov. support5 = More free market
Sorensen2/5
Proposes a five-bill cost-of-living plan; voted against the 2025 reconciliation law and the 2025 Rescissions Act.
Vancil4/5
Proposes fewer federal regulations and reporting rules for businesses and reducing the federal deficit.
Health care
1 = Public option5 = Private choice
Sorensen2/5
Seeks to reverse 2025 Medicaid cuts and speed generic drugs; voted for the 2026 ACA subsidy extension (H.R. 1834).
Sources: clerk.house.gov · news.wttw.com
Vancil4/5
Proposes price transparency, more competition among providers and drugmakers, and tax-advantaged health accounts.
Immigration
1 = Expand pathways5 = Stricter limits
Sorensen2/5
Supports the Dignity Act and American Dream and Promise Act; criticizes ICE practices; voted for the Laken Riley Act.
Sources: news.wttw.com · clerk.house.gov
Vancil4/5
Supports full enforcement of current law including the Laken Riley Act and police-federal cooperation; supports easier entry for skilled workers.
Abortion
1 = Protect access5 = Restrict access
Sorensen1/5
Says reproductive decisions belong to patients and doctors; introduced 2024 abortion-care grant bill; voted against H.R. 21.
Sources: sorensen.house.gov · clerk.house.gov
Vancil
No clear public position found.
Taxes
1 = Fund programs5 = Cut taxes
Sorensen2/5
Voted against the 2025 reconciliation law, citing tax cuts for the wealthiest; calls for a tax overhaul favoring Main Street.
Sources: news.wttw.com · clerk.house.gov
Vancil5/5
Proposes no federal income tax on the first $25,000 of income ($50,000 for couples); opposes raising Social Security payroll taxes.
Crime & safety
1 = Reform-focused5 = Enforcement-focused
Sorensen3/5
Voted against the DC CRIMES Act and H.R. 5140; cites securing federal funds for local law enforcement.
Vancil4/5
Supports law-and-order measures, citing crime as a reason businesses leave Illinois.
Education
1 = More public funding5 = More school choice
Sorensen2/5
Supports investing in public schools, STEM and child care; sponsored bills on educator workforce data and STEM training.
Sources: sorensen.house.gov · news.wttw.com
Vancilnot placed on the scale
Campaign site says he will 'push for funding to help Illinois Students' and cites his school board service; BallotReady lists parental involvement, local control and academic achievement.
Sources: vancilforcongress.com · ballotready.org
Climate
1 = Faster clean-energy shift5 = Prioritize energy costs
Sorensen2/5
Supports wind, solar, nuclear and year-round E15 ethanol; says data centers should supply their own power; voted against overturning California vehicle emission waiver.
Sources: clerk.house.gov · 25newsnow.com
Vancil5/5
Opposes renewable energy mandates; supports coal, natural gas and nuclear power to lower energy prices.
Foreign policy
1 = More engaged abroad5 = Focus at home
Sorensen2/5
Voted to end U.S. hostilities with Iran citing costs, while saying the U.S. must finish the conflict without a ground war; voted for 2024 Ukraine aid.
Vancil4/5
Opposes open-ended funding for Ukraine and Israel conflicts and favors commitments limited to direct U.S. security interests.
Sources: yahoo.com · news.wttw.com
Trade & competitiveness
1 = Open trade5 = Tariffs to protect industry
Sorensen2/5
Opposes the administration's tariffs and trade disputes with allies; voted to end the Canada tariff emergency (H.J.Res. 72).
Sources: clerk.house.gov · news.wttw.com
Vancil4/5
Supports targeted tariffs on China as a bargaining tool while seeking to shield farm inputs from broad tariff swings.
Quick answers
When is the election?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting is open now. Your county election office has locations and hours.
Am I in this district?
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Does How I Vote endorse anyone?
No. It never recommends a candidate and never guesses a position from party. Where no public position exists, it says so.
Where do these summaries come from?
Candidates’ own websites, votes, questionnaires, debates and news coverage, all linked. Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
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