Kelly, Robin L.

Robin Kelly has served as the U.S. Representative from Illinois's 2nd congressional district since winning a special election in 2013. Before entering Congress, she built a career in public service, including three terms in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007, where she chaired the Mass Transit Committee. She subsequently worked as chief of staff to Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and as Cook County's chief administrative officer under President Toni Preckwinkle. In 2010, she ran for Illinois treasurer but lost the general election to Republican Dan Rutherford despite winning the Democratic primary.

In the House, Kelly serves on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, with assignments to the Subcommittees on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade; Communications and Technology; and Health. Her legislative priorities center on public health, consumer safety, and gun violence prevention. She has sponsored the FOOD for Health Act, the WELLS Act, and the Responsible Firearms Marketing Act, among other measures addressing consumer product safety and firearm regulation.

Kelly announced in May 2025 that she would retire from the House to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, seeking the seat being vacated by retiring incumbent Dick Durbin.