Darby A. Hills is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Illinois Senate from the 26th district. A Republican, she was appointed to the Senate in February 2025 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dan McConchie.
Early life and career
Hills earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law. She worked as an attorney and previously served as a prosecutor with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, where her work included child welfare matters. She also worked as a labor and employment attorney at Jackson Lewis LLP and as an arbitrator and mediator.
In 2010, Hills and her husband, Thomas, co-founded Barrington Children's Charities, an organization that provides assistance to children and families in the Barrington area.
Local government
In January 2022, Hills was appointed to the Barrington Hills Village Board to fill the unexpired term of Trustee Debra Buettner. She served as a village trustee until her appointment to the Illinois Senate in 2025.
Illinois Senate
Appointment
Hills was selected in February 2025 to fill the Illinois Senate's 26th district seat following the resignation of Republican state Senator Dan McConchie.
Leaders representing the district selected Hills again on February 28, 2025. She took the oath of office that day and was subsequently sworn in as the senator for the 26th Legislative District.
Legislative work
Hills has sponsored legislation addressing child welfare, public safety, transportation, local government, property taxes and taxation during the 104th Illinois General Assembly.
Child welfare and protection of minors
Hills sponsored Senate Bill 2895, known as the Healing Through History Act, which would expand access for adoptive families to records concerning a child's history in foster care. The Illinois Senate unanimously passed the legislation in April 2026 before it moved to the Illinois House.
She also sponsored Senate Bill 2869, which would require annual reports from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services concerning missing youth.
Hills sponsored Senate Bill 2381, legislation concerning unauthorized video recording and live transmission involving minors in certain sexually motivated circumstances. The bill proposed making specified conduct a registrable offense under Illinois' Sex Offender Registration Act. NBC Chicago reported on the legislation in March 2026 and interviewed Hills about the proposed changes to Illinois law.
Transportation and e-bike safety
Hills was a Senate co-sponsor of Senate Bill 3484, legislation establishing statewide regulations concerning electric bicycles and electric scooters. The legislation passed the General Assembly and became Public Act 104-0854 in August 2026.
In July 2026, Hills discussed statewide e-bike regulation following the death of a teenager in an electric dirt-bike crash in Wauconda. ABC 7 Chicago reported that Hills supported establishing statewide parameters for electric-bike safety.
Local government, data centers and property taxes
Hills sponsored Senate Bill 1050, legislation concerning data centers and local government authority. The bill was introduced during the 104th General Assembly and was referred to the Senate Assignments Committee.
She also sponsored legislation concerning property taxes, including Senate Bills 2745 and 2746. Senate Bill 3844 proposed changes to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law concerning taxing districts, referendum requirements and limiting rates.
Taxation and affordability
Hills sponsored Senate Bill 3851, which proposed exempting certain prescription medicines and Class III medical devices used for cancer treatment from specified state taxes.
She also became the chief sponsor of Senate Bill 3869 in April 2026. The legislation proposed exempting diapers for infants, children and adults from specified state taxes.
Community involvement
Hills co-founded Barrington Children's Charities in 2010 with her husband, Thomas. The organization provides meals, medical assistance and social services to children and families in the Barrington area.
Personal life
Hills is married and has three children.
References