Dilan Vancil
IL-17 Republican nominee?
$3.8K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSchool Board Member
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
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BackgroundSmall business owner (Founder, Dame Fine Coffee)
EducationWest Central High School
Notable personal detailsDillan Vancil is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. He is a small business owner and founder of Dame Fine Coffee, and has also worked on the railroad and served as State Legislative Director for SMART-TD. Vancil has served on the West Central School District 235 board (including as vice president) and has been involved with local civic and health boards in west-central Illinois.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering taxes and reducing regulatory burdens for small businesses, opposes new payroll taxes, and favors fiscal discipline and limited government to reduce spending. Advocates making small-business tax deductions permanent and blocking tax increases that would burden local job creators.
Healthcare
Supports reforms to reduce healthcare costs and increase price transparency so people can access care without fearing the bill, while emphasizing lower taxes and limited government. No evidence found of support for single-payer, Medicare for All, or a large federal expansion of public insurance programs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports strong federal immigration enforcement focused on public safety, prioritizing removal of noncitizens convicted of crimes and opposing new congressional restrictions on immigration enforcement officers. He expresses confidence in experienced enforcement leaders and supports policies that deport criminal illegal immigrants.
Climate & Energy
The candidate opposes what he calls the “Green New Scam,” argues that renewable energy policies have raised energy costs, and advocates expanding domestic fossil fuel production (including natural gas and “clean coal”) and investing in nuclear power to provide reliable, affordable baseload energy. He supports reversing policies he views as restricting American energy production and prioritizes lowering energy costs for households and businesses.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate expresses strong support for the Second Amendment and says he will defend and protect constitutional rights. He emphasizes support for law enforcement and opposes imposing new restrictions that would 'handcuff' officers, signaling a pro-gun-rights, law-and-order posture without explicit support for expanded gun restrictions.
News
Dilan Vancil has emerged as the unofficial winner of the Republican nomination for Illinois' 17th Congressional District, taking 57% of the vote and beating Julie Bickelhaupt. He is now set to face Democratic incumbent Eric Sorensen in the November election. Earlier coverage focused on the Republican field in the district race, but the main development is Vancil securing the nomination.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262024
2026
LatestCycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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- Endorsements