THEJACKET

HOUSE

Would require all handgun ammunition sold or possessed in Illinois to be individ…

In Committee · Hearing Mar 24 · Rep. Anne Stava-Murray

SENATE

Would restrict how Illinois police can use facial recognition technology — no re…

In Committee — Senate Assignments · Sen. Adriane Johnson

HOUSE

Would make it a felony to manufacture, sell, or possess a pistol that can be ill…

In Committee — Gun Violence Prevention · Hearing Mar 19 · Rep. Justin Slaughter

Commissioner District 10

Full-Time Corporate Job While Serving as Commissioner

Bridget Gainer simultaneously serves as Global Head of Public Affairs & Policy at Aon (a global insurance/risk management firm) and as an elected County Commissioner. Challenger Drake Warren has made this a central campaign issue, arguing the county role should be full-time. Gainer has argued her Aon expertise benefits her county work. A March 2026 Chicago Sun-Times analysis found she missed approximately 23% of County Board meetings — the second-worst attendance record among incumbent commissioners.

U.S. House (IL-04)

General election only (not March 17 primary)

Hershey is NOT running in the March 17 Democratic or Republican primary. He is running as a Working Class Party candidate in the general election only (November 3, 2026).

Commissioner District 12

No campaign funds reported

Hu has raised $0 in 2026. Her 2022 campaign committee is closed with no balance. She appears in Republican column on Illinois Sunshine, not Democratic primary.

IL Senate

January 2026 poll: 84% undecided, only 6% name recognition

An Emerson College/WGN-TV poll (Jan 3–5, 2026, n=432 LV) showed Tracy at just 6% with 84% undecided — by far the highest undecided rate of any major primary in the cycle. Tracy's name recognition among Republican primary voters remains very low heading into the primary, despite his high fundraising total.

Governor of Illinois

Refused to Enforce Illinois Assault Weapons Ban (January 2023)

In January 2023 Mendrick signed a letter with more than 90 Illinois sheriffs stating he would not enforce the state's newly enacted high-powered semiautomatic weapons ban, citing Second Amendment concerns. U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) called on Mendrick to 'rescind his statement immediately.' Mendrick acknowledged in 2026 campaign debates that he does not know 'what, ultimately, my legal authority is' but maintained the position. The stance aligns with the fringe 'constitutional sheriffs' movement — which Mendrick says he does not consider himself a member of.

U.S. House (IL-07)

Near-empty cash on hand pre-primary ($2,412)

As of Feb 25, 2026 FEC pre-primary report, Collins had only $2,412.78 cash on hand despite raising $45,770. She spent $52,440 with debts of $6,871. This suggests a significant burn rate and thin financial position heading into the March 17 primary.

U.S. House (IL-04)

No FEC filings for 2025-2026 cycle

FEC committee C00883066 was registered in July 2024 but FEC API shows zero results for 2025-2026 cycle totals. If candidate raised funds, required disclosure filings may be missing.

MWRD Commissioner

Chicago Tribune endorsed incumbents over Bury

Tribune Feb 18, 2026 editorial endorsed Brady-Davis and Eira Corral Sepúlveda for re-election and specifically targeted Bury's challenge of Beth McElroy Kirkwood, describing Kirkwood as someone Bury says is 'more interested in cozying up to her political pals' — implying Bury is a protest challenger without elected track record.

IL Secretary of State

Post-primary coverage of statewide races confirms Giannoulias advances unopposed as Democratic Secretary of State nominee for November 2026.

Governor of Illinois

Post-primary profile of Bailey's campaign for rematch vs. Pritzker. Bailey says he's 'a different person' than in 2022 and felt 'called' to run 7 months ago after learning enough to 'make a difference.' Campaign centers on affordability, criticizing Pritzker for multiple tax increases including $700M in new taxes in FY2026 budget.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Ballotpedia confirms Melissa Bean (D) and Jennifer Davis (R) will face each other in the November 3, 2026 general election for U.S. House Illinois District 8. Bean is the heavy favorite in the district that Krishnamoorthi had won with 57.1% in 2024.

U.S. House (IL-08)

NYT takeaways highlight Conyears-Ervin's defeat as AIPAC's most notable Illinois primary loss — $5M in spending could not overcome a divided anti-AIPAC vote in the crowded IL-07 field. Ford's win is seen as a setback for the pro-Israel lobby's 2026 congressional strategy.

MWRD Commissioner

$45,000 in campaign debts and obligations as of Dec 31, 2025 quarterly report

ILSBE Committee 40660 shows $45,000 in outstanding debts and obligations as of the December 31, 2025 quarterly report, against $65,149 cash on hand. This is a factual financial disclosure, not an allegation.

IL Attorney General

Former Democratic alderman now running as Republican

Fioretti served as a 2nd Ward alderman under the Democratic Party and ran for mayor as a Democrat in 2015 and 2019. His shift to the Republican Party for the AG race may raise questions among primary voters about ideological consistency.

IL Senate

Near-zero cash on hand entering primary

Only $4,704 cash on hand as of December 31, 2025 — making significant advertising or voter outreach impossible in the final weeks.

Commissioner District 16

Former Republican — Switched to Democratic Party

Frank Aguilar previously served as a Republican before switching to the Democratic Party. His political history and the circumstances of his party switch may be relevant to voters evaluating his Democratic primary candidacy.

IL Senate

59% of fundraising is Evans' own money

Of $510,861 raised, $300,000 (59%) was self-funded. Limited outside donor base, though she raised more outside money proportionally than Tracy.

IL Treasurer

Finished last in 2022 Republican governor primary with 0.9%

In the June 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary, Solomon received 7,371 votes (0.9%) out of 797,029 cast — finishing dead last in a six-candidate field.

Commissioner District 16

Mother's Campaign Fund Paying Staffer Working Miranda's Campaign

Lisa Hernandez (Miranda's mother, Cicero Township Supervisor) has a campaign committee that is paying a Democratic Party of Illinois staffer who is also working on Miranda's campaign. Lisa Hernandez's committee also transferred $20K+ to Miranda's fund, raising pay-to-play and nepotism concerns.

MWRD Commissioner

Lost 2022 MWRD primary before being appointed

Brady-Davis placed 5th in the June 2022 Democratic primary with 10.9% (126,672 votes), losing to incumbents. She was subsequently appointed by Gov. Pritzker in 2023 after Kimberly du Buclet's vacancy — a path to office via gubernatorial appointment rather than direct voter mandate.

IL Senate

Perennial candidate with minimal fundraising

Only $10,495 raised through December 2025 — far below what is needed for any viable Senate campaign in Illinois.

Commissioner District 6

Cook County board seats in play, with new faces guaranteed among 17 commissioner…

Chicago Tribune's pre-primary analysis confirms Shahed and Worth Township Supervisor Patricia Joan Murphy are the only two District 6 candidates who have raised enough money to mount a serious campaign — with Shahed by far the dominant fundraiser at $591K cash on hand vs. a five-candidate field.

Commissioner District 5

SEIU ILLINOIS COUNCIL — $30K

labor donation of $30K to Kiana Belcher

U.S. House (IL-02)

Stepping Down from County Seat Mid-Term to Run for Congress

Miller was elected to a second term as Cook County Commissioner in 2022 but is choosing not to finish her term, instead running for Congress. The Chicago Tribune's March 14, 2026 coverage confirmed she is among those vacating their county seats mid-cycle, opening the 6th District to a new race. The 6th District primary attracted 5 candidates, with attorney Wesam Shahed emerging as the frontrunner.

IL Comptroller

What to know about the March 17 primary for Illinois comptroller

WBEZ (Feb 17) explains the four-way Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller to replace retiring Susana Mendoza. Holly Kim (Lake County Treasurer) is running alongside Croke, Villa, and Kifowit. The piece highlights Kim's suburban fiscal management background.

IL Senate

Individual contributions (other donors) — $34K

individual donation of $34K to Jonathan Dean

IL Comptroller

Bernie Sanders endorses state Sen. Karina Villa for Illinois comptroller

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders announced his endorsement of Villa for Illinois Comptroller on March 9, 2026, calling her 'one of the most progressive voices in the Illinois State Senate' and highlighting her work on tax fairness, union rights, and healthcare access.

IL-09

AIPAC-Connected Donors Flooding Campaign

Evanston Now reported in October 2025 that AIPAC-linked donors are actively funding Fine's IL-09 campaign, including $14,000 from the Gessner family, documented AIPAC donors. WBEZ reported in February 2026 that pro-Israel groups and affiliates have poured $13.7M into Chicago-area primaries. Additionally, the AIPAC-affiliated "Elect Chicago Women" Super PAC spent $1M+ on ads supporting Fine, and AIPAC board president Michael Tuchin hosted a fundraiser for her campaign.

IL Senate

97.5% self-funded campaign

Steve Botsford Jr. self-funded $359,474 of his $368,565 raised (97.5%). Only $9,091 came from outside donors. Campaign is almost entirely personal wealth.

Commissioner District 10

Missed ~23% of County Board Meetings (2026 analysis)

Chicago Sun-Times analysis published March 6, 2026 found Gainer missed approximately 23% of Cook County Board meetings among incumbent commissioners, placing her second-worst. A prior 2018 Sun-Times analysis found she missed 17% of full board meetings over five years. Gainer noted she is the only commissioner with a single-parent household. Warren used this statistic in campaign social media.

U.S. House (IL-04)

No campaign committee established

FEC candidate ID H2IL04178 exists but has NO committee filings for 2026. Appears to be essentially unfunded.

Commissioner District 12

Likely inactive candidate

2022 committee status is 'Final' (closed). No new 2026 committee filing found. Illinois Sunshine shows $0.00 raised.

IL Senate

93% of fundraising is Tracy's own money

Of $2,145,931 raised through December 31, 2025, $2,000,000 came from Tracy himself — meaning less than $146K came from outside donors. While technically legal, this limits a candidate's demonstrated grassroots support and means the campaign's viability depends heavily on the candidate's personal financial commitment.

Governor of Illinois

Severe Campaign Finance Disadvantage; 5% Primary Polling

Mendrick ended Q4 2025 with only $33,169 cash on hand — the lowest of the four main GOP gubernatorial candidates — compared to Heidner's $1.16M and Dabrowski's $1.25M. An Emerson College poll in January 2026 showed 5% support among Republican primary voters (46% undecided). His campaign explicitly relies on social media and grassroots outreach, stating he gets 1.8 million Facebook viewers per 28 days across 8 platforms.

U.S. House (IL-07)

Three-time primary loser

Collins ran for IL-07 in 2020 (13.8%), 2022 (45.6%), and 2024 (3rd place). She has never won a primary despite three campaigns. The 2024 race she placed third behind Danny Davis and Melissa Conyears-Ervin.

U.S. House (IL-04)

Running in D+17 district — longshot candidate

IL-04 is among the most Democratic districts in Illinois. Castillo received 28.1% in 2022 and 27.3% in 2024 against Chuy Garcia. Serves as the token Republican opposition in an unwinnable district.

MWRD Commissioner

Significantly outspent by all three incumbents

Bury has $6,352 cash on hand vs Brady-Davis ~$70K and Eira ~$48K. She is the lowest-funded candidate in the race by a wide margin, which may limit her voter outreach.

IL Secretary of State

Secretary of State Giannoulias joined the Illinois Literacy Foundation and YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago for a Day of Service on March 2, 2026 — National Read Across America Day — donating books and participating in literacy programming. Official press release from the SOS office.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois 2026 GOP primary for governor features four candidates and one familiar…

Yahoo/AP reports Bailey is running his 2026 campaign without major outside donor support, telling voters he is 'running for governor of Illinois alone, without any outside influence.' Notes he shifted from social conservative themes to economic ones.

U.S. House (IL-08)

The April 2, 2026 Politico Illinois Playbook covers the first post-primary political week. Democratic 8th District nominee Melissa Bean, who won with heavy AIPAC and tech industry backing, now faces Republican nominee Jennifer Davis in a district Biden won by 14 points in 2024. The jobs and investment climate is part of the general election backdrop.

U.S. House (IL-08)

NYT updated its 2026 Illinois 7th Congressional District polling tracker. Conyears-Ervin lost the IL-08 Democratic primary to Melissa Bean but this race is being tracked in the district context.

MWRD Commissioner

Shared officers with Orland Township Democratic Organization

ILSBE data shows 'Friends of Beth McElroy Kirkwood' (Committee 40660) has officers with the same name as officers of the Orland Township Democratic Organization (Committee 37462). This relationship is disclosed in ILSBE records.

IL Senate

Lost previous Senate bids in 2020 and 2022

Chlebek is a three-time Republican Senate primary candidate in Illinois with no previous wins. Perennial candidate status limits credibility.

U.S. House (IL-02)

AIPAC-Linked Out-of-State Donor Network Funds 87% of Q4 2025 Fundraising

87% of Miller's Q4 2025 fundraising (~$892K) came from out-of-state donors. At least 258 of her donors previously gave to AIPAC/United Democracy Project. A super PAC called 'Affordable Chicago Now' (donors undisclosed) is running ads in her support, identified by The American Prospect as AIPAC stealth infrastructure. Miller's campaign denied soliciting AIPAC support but acknowledged accepting donations from known AIPAC contributors. This is a deeply progressive D+18 district where AIPAC-linked funding represents a significant electoral red flag.

IL Comptroller

Primary election 2026: Illinois comptroller candidates Margaret Croke, Karina Vi…

ABC7 Chicago (Mar 6) profiles all four Democratic candidates for Illinois Comptroller ahead of the March 17 primary. Holly Kim, Lake County Treasurer, highlights her fiscal management background and anti-predatory lending work as key qualifications.

IL Comptroller

Least government finance experience among four primary candidates

Chicago Tribune reporting notes Villa 'likely has the least experience in government finance matters when compared with her three Democratic opponents' — Croke (Commerce Dept finance background), Kifowit (former financial advisor, 10+ years in IL House), and Kim (Lake County Treasurer).

U.S. House (IL-07)

2019 Chicago Mayoral race: finished 11th of 14 candidates with 1.0% (5,606 votes…

Ford entered the crowded 2019 Chicago mayoral race and received 1.0% of the vote, finishing 11th of 14 candidates — indicating limited citywide appeal beyond his West Side legislative base. This is objective electoral data from certified results, not an allegation.

IL-09

Out-of-state donors — Florida — $37K

individual donation of $37K to Laura Fine

Sheriff

2023: Deadliest jail year in 30+ years — 18 detainee deaths

Injustice Watch investigation found 18 detainee deaths at Cook County Jail in 2023, the deadliest year in at least 30 years. Supervision and medical care lapses were identified in at least half the deaths. Dart failed to properly report circumstances to state regulators and families.

Governor of Illinois

Echoed 'Great Replacement' Conspiracy Rhetoric on Campaign Trail

Chicago Tribune reporting from March 2026 documented Mendrick repeatedly using replacement language on the campaign trail: 'We are being replaced' (post-debate comment); 'Think about this, folks, we're being washed out' (East Dundee gun shop, Jan. 19, 2026); and 'Our culture is being eliminated by senseless laws' (February 2025 announcement). When questioned, Mendrick said his comments had 'nothing to do with whites. This has a thing to do with citizens and non-citizens.' The Tribune characterized this as echoing the debunked white nationalist 'Great Replacement' conspiracy theory.

U.S. House (IL-07)

Resigned from Pritzker campaign over racist recording

Collins was a staff member on J.B. Pritzker's 2018 gubernatorial campaign but resigned after recordings of Pritzker making racially insensitive remarks were publicly released.

IL Secretary of State

Incumbent Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias ran unopposed in the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary, securing renomination. He will face Republican nominee Diane Harris in the November general election. The race is considered solidly Democratic.

Governor of Illinois

Capitol News Illinois reports that Republican voters chose Darren Bailey to face Gov. JB Pritzker in a 2026 rematch, as Bailey secured the GOP gubernatorial nomination over three primary opponents — Ted Dabrowski, Rick Heidner, and James Mendrick. Bailey celebrates with running mate Aaron Del Mar after securing the nomination.

U.S. House (IL-08)

With Melissa Bean winning the March 17 Democratic primary (31.8%), she advances to face Republican nominee Jennifer Davis in the IL-08 general election on November 3, 2026. Bean seeks to reclaim the northwest suburban Chicago seat she held 2005–2011. Davis won the Republican primary with Tribune endorsement. The district, which covers parts of Cook and Lake counties, is considered a Democratic lean in a strong midterm environment.

U.S. House (IL-08)

The April 2, 2026 Politico Illinois Playbook marks the first post-primary roundup. Melissa Conyears-Ervin conceded the 7th District Democratic primary to La Shawn Ford on March 17. Her political future as Chicago City Treasurer and any future candidacies have not been announced.

MWRD Commissioner

Orland Township Democratic Organization Political Party $11,711.77 Officers with…

Corporate donation of $45K to Beth McElroy Kirkwood

Board President

Here are 8 races to watch in the 2026 Illinois primary election

NBC Chicago includes the Cook County Board President race in its final pre-primary watch list. Notes Reilly's challenge to Preckwinkle on fiscal accountability and property tax reform, as well as his Chicago Tribune endorsement.

Commissioner District 12

Husband controls campaign committee

Ram Villivalam (IL State Senator, husband) is BOTH Chair AND Treasurer of Friends of Elizabeth Granato. His three political committees collectively donated $218,400 to her campaign — 42% of her total raised.

IL Comptroller

Tribune day-before guide includes the Illinois comptroller race, showing Kim alongside Croke, Villa, and Kifowit in a four-way Democratic primary debate at Des Plaines Public Library on Feb. 6, 2026.

IL Comptroller

Outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza backed opponent Holly Kim, not Villa

Susana Mendoza, the outgoing Comptroller she's seeking to replace, endorsed Holly Kim (Lake County Treasurer) — not Villa.

IL-09

Out-of-state donors — New York — $32K

individual donation of $32K to Laura Fine

Sheriff

DOJ Consent Decree 2010–2017 — unconstitutional jail conditions

The federal DOJ sued Cook County in 2010 (United States v. Cook County, 1:10-cv-02946) over unconstitutional living conditions at Cook County Jail. A consent decree placed the jail under federal oversight for 7+ years. The decree was lifted in 2017. The 'cross-watching' practice (one officer monitoring two tiers) that was central to the decree is reportedly still in use.

Governor of Illinois

$11 Million Jail Death Settlement — Reneyda Aguilar-Hurtado (2025)

DuPage County and Sheriff Mendrick reached an $11 million settlement in March 2025 (approved by a judge) with the estate of Reneyda Aguilar-Hurtado, a 50-year-old mother with schizophrenia who died June 12, 2023 after being held in the DuPage County Jail for 85 days awaiting transfer to a state mental health facility. A county pathologist determined her death was due in part to 'medical neglect.' The lawsuit, filed by her daughter Cristal Moreno Aguilar, named Mendrick and 11 jail medical staff or corrections officers. The complaint cited 'widespread practice and policy of deliberate indifference' to critically ill inmates. Mendrick declined to comment. The $11M payout was more than triple the combined cost of seven prior settled lawsuits against the sheriff's office over three years.

U.S. House (IL-07)

Individual itemized donors (identities require FEC schedule-A query) — $26K

individual_itemized donation of $26K to Kina Collins

IL Secretary of State

The April 2, 2026 Politico Illinois Playbook covers the Q1 2026 jobs surge and Illinois Democrats' post-primary positioning. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and is sitting on $9M in campaign funds, is widely mentioned in connection with a potential 2027 Chicago mayoral run — the April post-primary period is when his positioning will begin to come into focus.

Governor of Illinois

Post-primary spending analysis notes Bailey's primary win came with minimal outside PAC support — a contrast to the 2022 cycle where Pritzker spent $35M boosting Bailey in the GOP primary. In 2026, major Republican donors largely sat out the primary, leaving Bailey to run on his own political brand heading into what analysts expect will be another heavy underdog race against Pritzker.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Chicago Tribune editorial board endorses Melissa Bean for the Democratic nomination to succeed Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi in IL-08, citing her prior experience as a former U.S. Representative for the district from 2005–2011.

U.S. House (IL-08)

New York Times coverage noted that candidates backed by AIPAC and affiliated groups were trailing in unresolved Illinois congressional contests. In the 7th Congressional District, Melissa Conyears-Ervin trailed La Shawn Ford with two-thirds of the vote in, underscoring the limits of outside pro-Israel spending in heavily Democratic Chicago-area districts in 2026.

Governor of Illinois

Zero elected experience — first-time candidate at age 62

Dabrowski has held no elected office at any level. His entire political career consists of think-tank work: Vice President at the Illinois Policy Institute (2011–2017) and President of Wirepoints (2017–2025). The Chicago Tribune editorial board noted he 'did not suggest to us someone who would be able to work effectively with the Democratic majority in Springfield' and described the learning curve as steep.

Governor of Illinois

Video Gaming Regulator Conflict: Governor Appoints Illinois Gaming Board Members

The Illinois Gaming Board — whose members are appointed by the governor — regulates Gold Rush Gaming, Heidner's own video gaming terminal company. A governor-appointed board oversees licensing, can revoke licenses, and sets VGT operating rules. In 2019, the IGB moved to revoke Gold Rush's license; in 2021, a settlement was reached for $75,000. Heidner would be in a position to influence the composition of the board that regulates his own multimillion-dollar business.

Board President

NBC Chicago overview of key 2026 primary races, covering Preckwinkle vs. Reilly for Cook County Board President and Kaegi vs. Hynes for Assessor among the notable local contests.

Commissioner District 12

Cook County board seats in play, with new faces guaranteed among 17 commissioner…

Chicago Tribune's primary preview notes District 12 is an open seat (incumbent Bridget Degnen retiring) with Granato positioned as the frontrunner based on endorsements from multiple U.S. representatives, the Chicago Tribune editorial board, labor unions, and a dominant fundraising total of $517K cash on hand.

IL Comptroller

Ballotpedia confirms the 2026 Illinois Comptroller general election will be Margaret Croke (D) vs. Bryan Drew (R). Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim and state Reps. Stephanie Kifowit and Karina Villa did not advance from the March 17 Democratic primary. Croke is the heavy favorite in November in deep-blue Illinois.

IL Comptroller

Cook County Democratic Party slating endorsement not awarded to Villa

Cook County Democrats backed Margaret Croke for comptroller — not Villa.

Sheriff

Unlawful detention class action — Black Chicagoans held weeks after bond paid

A class action lawsuit alleges Dart's office unlawfully detained nine Black Chicagoans for up to two weeks after they paid bond, violating the Fourth Amendment by refusing to release them to electronic monitoring. A federal appellate court allowed the suit to proceed in January 2024.

Governor of Illinois

13 Detainee Deaths in DuPage County Jail (January 2014–September 2024)

A Chicago Tribune review of state-required reports and county coroner records identified 13 DuPage County Jail detainee deaths between January 2014 and September 2024. Five of those individuals appear to have been on medical watch at the time of their deaths. Multiple additional detainees filed lawsuits over inadequate medical care. The lawsuit in the Aguilar-Hurtado case cited roughly a dozen other examples of detainees harmed. Most incidents predated Mendrick's tenure (which began December 2018), but at least the 2020 death of Lance Thomas and the 2023 death of Aguilar-Hurtado occurred under his watch.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is running unopposed in the 2026 Democratic primary for his seat, and is sitting on a reported $18.2M war chest — sparking speculation about a potential 2027 Chicago mayoral bid. Giannoulias has not announced any mayoral run.

Governor of Illinois

Chicago Tribune reports Pritzker acknowledged 'real failures' in the immigration system following Loyola student Sheridan Gorman's murder by a Venezuelan migrant. Republican challenger Darren Bailey issued a statement calling the killing 'preventable' and directly attributing it to Pritzker's 'soft on crime' and sanctuary city policies. The incident has become a major flashpoint in the 2026 governor's race.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Roll Call Election Day roundup names Bean as one of eight Democrats vying to succeed Krishnamoorthi in IL-08. Other notable candidates in the field include Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Kina Collins, La Shawn Ford, and Jason Friedman.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Guardian Election Day coverage identifies Conyears-Ervin (Chicago city treasurer) as a prominent IL-07 and IL-08 race contender backed by AIPAC-affiliated United Democracy Project ad buys, adding an independent-expenditure dynamic to the race.

Governor of Illinois

1% property tax cap with no specific funding mechanism to replace lost school re…

Dabrowski proposes capping property tax rates at 1% of assessed home value (current effective rate is 1.83%, highest in U.S. per Tax Foundation). He argues Illinois could fund schools from cuts to the state's 900 school districts and reduced bureaucratic waste. However, he has not identified specific replacement funding amounts. Illinois property taxes are the primary K-12 funding source; Capitol News Illinois noted he 'did not say specifically what cuts would offset lost tax revenue, instead suggesting that it reflects the need for a cultural shift.'

Governor of Illinois

Governor JB Pritzker joined hundreds of farmers, agricultural advocates, and lawmakers for the Illinois Department of Agriculture's 56th annual Agriculture Legislative Day in Springfield. Pritzker touted Illinois' $26.4 billion agricultural sector and renewed attacks on Trump's tariffs for hurting Illinois farm exports, particularly soybeans to China. He also signed a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as 'Illinois Month of the Woman Farmer.' The event comes one week after Pritzker secured his third Democratic gubernatorial nomination and as buzz about his 2028 presidential ambitions continues to build.

Governor of Illinois

Business Ties to Banker with Alleged Mob Connections (Suspenzi/Parkway Bank)

A 2019 Chicago Tribune investigation found Heidner had long-standing real estate partnerships with Rocco Suspenzi, chairman of Parkway Bank & Trust, whose family concealed secret ownership stakes in the Rosemont Emerald casino alongside alleged mob figures. Rocco Suspenzi invoked the Fifth Amendment at a 2005 Gaming Board hearing. Heidner removed Suspenzi's name from Illinois LLCs two weeks before his 2012 gaming license was approved, but continued doing business together in other states. Heidner denied any organized crime ties.

Board President

Real Estate Developer Donor Network — Loop & River North Kingpins

Reilly's campaign is bankrolled predominantly by the Chicago real estate development community — the same industry that stands to benefit from Cook County property tax, zoning, and land-use policy. Donors include Neil Bluhm family ($51K combined), Alexander Pissios ($50K), Riverside Investment, Waterton, Equity Commonwealth, and DRW. As 42nd Ward alderman, Reilly oversees the Loop and River North — the heart of Chicago commercial real estate. The overlap between his donor class and regulated industry raises pay-to-play concerns.

Commissioner District 12

Friends of Robert Martwick — $40K

political committee donation of $40K to Elizabeth Granato

IL Comptroller

Outgoing Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza endorsed Holly Kim to be her successor, choosing the Lake County Treasurer over three Democratic rivals vying for the March 17 primary nomination.

Sheriff

FBI ghost payroll probe (2022–2024)

The FBI joined an internal investigation of Cook County Sheriff's Office employees allegedly working second jobs at a Des Plaines security firm while on the county clock. FBI confirmed in late 2023 that no federal charges were filed, but the internal investigation concluded with firings.

Governor of Illinois

Threatened to Use State Police to Jail Gov. Pritzker on Tax Allegations

At a February 2026 dinner for the Illinois Freedom Caucus, Mendrick said: 'I'll be in charge of the state police, and they're all going to jail,' alleging without evidence that Pritzker illegally diverted fuel tax and local government revenue. No independent investigation has substantiated the diversion allegations.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is hosting a free Business Services Resource Fair on April 27 at Malcolm X College in Chicago, aimed at providing entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring founders with resources to start and grow businesses. The event is open to the public and will feature state agency representatives. Giannoulias is seeking reelection as Secretary of State in November 2026, running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Governor of Illinois

The NYT polling tracker for the Illinois 2026 general election shows Stratton leading Republican Don Tracy in early post-primary polling. Bailey faces similar structural headwinds in his rematch with Pritzker; the Senate polling illustrates the statewide Democratic environment Bailey must overcome.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Melissa Bean is attempting a political comeback in IL-08, the seat she held 2005-2011. Voters decide today which Democratic hopeful will be on the November ballot.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Roll Call names Conyears-Ervin among the eight Democrats competing in IL-08 successor race to Krishnamoorthi. AIPAC-aligned super PAC running independent expenditures in support of her candidacy.

Governor of Illinois

Proposed using emergency executive orders to bypass legislature on SAFE-T Act an…

Dabrowski said he would issue emergency executive orders declaring 'an emergency' to revoke both the TRUST Act (sanctuary law) and SAFE-T Act (cash bail abolition). Legal experts and the Chicago Tribune noted this is 'legally dubious,' as emergency declarations have previously been limited to acute public health crises. The moves would almost certainly face immediate court challenges.

IL-09

2024 Northwestern Pro-Palestine Protest Controversy

In January 2026, Republican members of the U.S. House, led by Rep. Tim Walberg, requested information from Biss regarding his handling of 2024 pro-Palestine student encampment protests at Northwestern University. Republicans alleged the city declined to provide additional police support, raising concerns about Jewish student safety. Biss defended his decision not to deploy Evanston police, citing public safety and respect for peaceful protest rights. He described the letter as 'a dishonest political attack' but said he would cooperate with any congressional subpoena.

Governor of Illinois

Self-funding a combined $350M on two campaigns raises democracy and corruption-r…

Pritzker spent $171.5 million of his own money on the 2018 campaign and $152 million on the 2022 race — a combined $323 million (some sources cite up to $350 million when accounting for all PAC transfers). He additionally donated $24 million to the Democratic Governors Association in 2022, which spent millions on attack ads helping prop up weaker Republican opponent Darren Bailey over the stronger Richard Irvin. For 2026, Pritzker deposited $25.5 million of his own money by November 2025 and has already signaled he will spend what it takes.

Governor of Illinois

$5 Million Federal Tax Lien (2023)

In April 2023, the IRS filed a $5,083,274 federal tax lien against Rick and Alisa Heidner personally for unpaid 2021 income taxes. A spokesman attributed the shortfall to an accounting reclassification and rising interest rates, stating the balance would be paid through an IRS installment plan by August 2023.

Board President

Attack ads: Reilly hits Preckwinkle on tax promises, Tyler Tech

Chicago Magazine reports Reilly's first negative commercial accused Preckwinkle of lying on tax promises. He is centering his campaign on Tyler Tech failures and her age (turns 79 in March).

Commissioner District 12

Friends of Don Harmon for State Senate — $30K

political committee donation of $30K to Elizabeth Granato

IL Comptroller

Chicago Sun-Times race preview of four Democratic candidates for Illinois comptroller: Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, state Sen. Karina Villa, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, and state Rep. Margaret Croke. Kim is described as the best-funded candidate backed by major party endorsements.

Sheriff

Skipped County Board hearing on jail deaths

In December 2024, the Cook County Board called a special hearing in response to Injustice Watch's reporting on the 18 jail deaths. Dart did not attend while families of deceased detainees gave tearful testimony.

IL Secretary of State

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released a study on April 16, 2026, exposing insurance pricing inequities in Illinois, including the use of socioeconomic data — such as credit scores and ZIP codes — by insurance companies to set car insurance rates. Giannoulias announced an advocacy campaign to end the practice, framing it as a consumer protection and economic justice issue ahead of his November reelection race.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker used a Q1 2026 jobs surge to directly rebut Republican attacks — including from GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey — that companies are fleeing Illinois. The development puts Bailey's central economic attack line under renewed scrutiny heading into the general election.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Live primary results for the crowded IL-08 Democratic primary; Melissa Bean among prominent candidates with Junaid Ahmed, Kevin Morrison, and Yasmeen Bankole.

U.S. House (IL-08)

IL-08 Democratic primary features multiple candidates including Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin who is making her second primary run for the seat.

Governor of Illinois

Active 2028 presidential campaign-in-waiting while running for 2026 re-election

Pritzker headlined a New Hampshire Democratic Party fundraiser in April 2025 — the first major foray by a potential 2028 presidential contender into an early primary state — and has made cross-country speaking engagements throughout 2025 stoking presidential speculation. He announced his 2026 re-election bid on June 26, 2025, while simultaneously not ruling out a 2028 presidential run. He appeared on Meet the Press in August 2025 and declined to rule out a White House bid. His dark money group Think Big America, which he funds as sole donor, received $6.8 million in the 2024 tax year supporting pro-abortion rights causes nationally.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois Gaming Board License Revocation Attempt (2019) and $75,000 Settlement (…

In December 2019 the Illinois Gaming Board moved to revoke Gold Rush Gaming's state license, alleging Heidner offered an illegal $5 million inducement to induce the owner of the Stella's and Shelby's gambling cafe chain not to switch suppliers. In April 2021, Gold Rush paid $75,000 ($45,000 in investigative costs + $30,000 fine for 'unprofessional conduct') and the IGB dropped revocation proceedings. Neither party admitted wrongdoing.

IL Senate

Robin Kelly lays out her case in 2026 Illinois Senate primary

NBC Chicago profiles Kelly's argument for the Senate seat, noting she is at a fundraising disadvantage ($25M Krishnamoorthi war chest, Pritzker backing for Stratton), but says her message is based on proven effectiveness rather than dollars and advertising.

Board President

WBEZ comprehensive March 17 primary preview covers all key races including Cook County Board President (Preckwinkle vs. Reilly), Cook County Assessor (Kaegi vs. Hynes), U.S. Senate, governor, and comptroller.

Assessor

NBC Chicago overview of key 2026 primary races, covering Preckwinkle vs. Reilly for Cook County Board President and Kaegi vs. Hynes for Assessor among the notable local contests.

Commissioner District 12

Friends of Omar Aquino — $25K

political committee donation of $25K to Elizabeth Granato

IL Comptroller

WBEZ comprehensive March 13 primary preview covers all major races including the Illinois comptroller contest featuring Holly Kim, Karina Villa, Stephanie Kifowit, and Margaret Croke as the four-way Democratic primary.

Sheriff

100+ Director titles — patronage machine at county jail

A February 2026 report by C4 Cook County claimed to document over 100 'Director' and 'Executive Director' titles at Cook County Jail — reportedly more than entire state DOC systems. The report alleges the office has a revolving door of former journalists hired as communications staff, potentially creating structural conflicts of interest in critical coverage. The claim that this amounts to deliberate suppression has not been independently verified.

IL Secretary of State

Giannoulias led all potential Chicago mayoral candidates in Q1 2026 fundraising, raising $12M and cementing his position as the financial frontrunner for a potential 2027 mayoral bid.

Governor of Illinois

Darren Bailey wins the Republican gubernatorial primary, setting up a 2026 rematch against Gov. JB Pritzker. Bailey ran up huge margins in rural downstate counties. Pritzker won by nearly 13 points in 2022; Bailey says he's his 'own man' on Trump.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Tribune confirms Bean declared victory in the 8th Congressional District Democratic primary. She will advance to the November general election to reclaim the seat she held from 2005-2011 before losing to GOP's Bob Dold.

U.S. House (IL-08)

City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is competing in the crowded Democratic primary for Illinois' 7th Congressional District, being vacated by longtime Rep. Danny Davis (first elected 1996). The Democratic frontrunners in the 7th District primary include state Rep. La Shawn Ford, Conyears-Ervin, developer Jason Friedman, and community organizer Kina Collins. Results are being counted on Election Night.

IL-09

A voter's guide to the confusing world of super PACs influencing 2026 Illinois p…

WBEZ confirms 3.14 Action Fund (pro-science PAC) has spent $409,000 in support of Biss, while AIPAC-linked spending against him escalates in the final week before the primary.

Governor of Illinois

Who is running for Illinois governor in the 2026 primary election? Full list of …

NBC Chicago (March 13) pre-primary overview notes Pritzker is running for re-election while simultaneously eyeing a potential 2028 presidential run. He faces no significant Democratic primary challenger and is the heavy general election favorite.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois primary election: Key races for governor, U.S. Senate

USA Today's primary preview highlights Heidner's business acumen pitch while noting the dual controversy of his gaming industry conflict of interest (the governor appoints the Illinois Gaming Board that regulates his own company) and his history of donating to Democratic candidates.

IL Senate

NYT Senate polling tracker updated for Illinois 2026. Covers the race Kelly was involved in during the primary phase — now tracking Stratton vs. Tracy in the general.

Board President

Chicago Tribune's final-weekend dispatch covers candidates canvassing the South Side Irish Parade, Black churches, and local rallies on the eve of the March 17 primary. Preckwinkle, Reilly, Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton all named; the piece emphasizes how tens of millions in out-of-state PAC money (pro-Israel AIPAC, crypto, AI interests) have nationalized what were traditionally local races.

Assessor

The April 2, 2026 Politico Illinois Playbook notes Illinois Democrats are touting a Q1 2026 jobs surge. As the outgoing Cook County Assessor, Kaegi is in the final months of his tenure preparing for the transition to Hynes-elect. The broader economic environment — jobs, investment, and property values — will define the Cook County assessor landscape through the November general.

Assessor

NBC Chicago overview of key 2026 primary races, covering Preckwinkle vs. Reilly for Cook County Board President and Kaegi vs. Hynes for Assessor among the notable local contests.

Commissioner District 12

Service Employees Local 1 Illinois PEC — $10K

labor pac donation of $10K to Elizabeth Granato

IL Comptroller

Tribune column notes the rare opening for Illinois Comptroller where four Democrats compete, including Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim of Mundelein. Highlights Kim as one of four candidates replacing non-incumbent Susana Mendoza.

Sheriff

20+ years in office: Critics note incumbency entrenchment and minimal electoral

20+ years in office: Critics note incumbency entrenchment and minimal electoral competition (2026 primary: no Democratic challenger filed)

IL Secretary of State

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias unveiled a redesigned and modernized Des Plaines DMV facility on April 21, 2026, touting it as a 'convenience meets innovation' one-stop-shop that streamlines services and expands access for customers. The ribbon-cutting is part of Giannoulias's ongoing modernization of the Secretary of State's office ahead of the November general election, where he faces a low-funded Republican challenger.

Governor of Illinois

Chicago Tribune profile published April 19 examines the central contradiction of Bailey's 2026 gubernatorial campaign: after winning the GOP primary, Bailey declared 'I am my own person' and rejected outside influence — yet within two weeks he was at Trump International Hotel being interviewed by Lara Trump for Fox News and urging the DOJ or FBI to investigate Illinois. The Tribune notes this mirrors the contradictions that cost Bailey his first bid in 2022, when Pritzker defeated him easily. Bailey's shoestring $450K fundraising and MAGA associations remain his biggest vulnerabilities heading into the November general.

U.S. House (IL-08)

NYT takeaways: Bean's 8th District win is cited as one of AIPAC's successful investments in the Illinois primary — her $7.2M in super PAC backing was the highest of any candidate in the state. She advances to a November general election in a competitive suburban seat.

U.S. House (IL-08)

La Shawn Ford declared victory in the Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District after Melissa Conyears-Ervin conceded the race. Despite $5M in AIPAC-backed super PAC spending for Conyears-Ervin, Ford won in the crowded 13-candidate field.

IL-09

Supported Pension Reform (SB 1) Later Struck Down as Unconstitutional

Biss was lead co-sponsor of Illinois SB 1 (2013), which significantly cut pension plans for retired state employees to address the state's ~$100B pension deficit. The IL Supreme Court struck it down as unconstitutional in May 2015, ruling it violated the pension protection clause. Biss later called his support for SB 1 'an error,' saying he 'allowed himself to think we couldn't do better.' AFSCME, one of the largest state employee unions, cited Biss's statement that 'as a matter of politics, I can get away with really offending state employees because I don't represent that many of them.'

Governor of Illinois

A voter's guide to the confusing world of super PACs influencing 2026 Illinois p…

WBEZ (March 13) reports Pritzker has contributed $5M+ from his personal fortune to the pro-Stratton Senate super PAC, which has spent $11.8M total. Highlights his financial influence on the competitive Senate primary.

Governor of Illinois

Familiar foes line up in Republican primary for chance against Gov. JB Pritzker

Chicago Sun-Times profiles the four-way GOP governor primary, describing Heidner as a candidate who 'lost a big chunk of his fortune in regulatory fights with Pritzker's administration' — specifically the 2019 blocking of his Tinley Park racino proposal after the Tribune's investigation into his business ties.

IL Senate

Forced Out as Illinois Democratic Party Chair — Pritzker Conflict

Kelly was elected Illinois Democratic Party Chair in March 2021, defeating a Pritzker-backed candidate (Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris). In July 2022, Kelly ended her bid for reelection as chair after it became clear she lacked support to beat State Rep. Lisa Hernandez — who was also backed by Gov. Pritzker. Capitol News Illinois reported the ouster as a Pritzker-engineered defeat. This conflict colors the current Senate race, where Pritzker is backing Stratton over Kelly. The Congressional Black Caucus publicly accused Pritzker of 'heavy-handing' the race. This is a pattern of Pritzker-vs.-Kelly conflict, now in its third round.

Board President

Tribune in-depth pre-primary analysis of the Preckwinkle vs. Reilly race. Reilly has made the Tyler Technologies contract failures a central attack line; race framed as 'steady hand vs. new course.' Reilly has rounded up endorsements from business, real estate, and reform circles.

Assessor

Property tax collection rates drop in Chicago neighborhoods with big bill hikes

Chicago Tribune reports declining property tax collection rates in neighborhoods with the largest bill increases. Notes that several community leaders in hard-hit neighborhoods have endorsed challenger Pat Hynes over incumbent Kaegi, citing the burden of assessment increases.

Assessor

The April 2, 2026 Politico Illinois Playbook notes Illinois Democrats are touting a Q1 2026 jobs surge and new private-sector investment. For assessor-elect Pat Hynes, incoming investment and commercial development will shape the property assessment landscape he'll manage when he takes office in December 2026.

IL Senate

Hindu Nationalist Donor Network — Tribune Investigation

The Chicago Tribune (March 10, 2026) identified contributors affiliated with Hindu nationalist organizations: the Hindu American Foundation, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, and Overseas Friends of BJP. A 2025 Rutgers Center for Security, Race, and Rights report describes such groups as belonging to 'a transnational far-right political ideology grounded in Hindu supremacy.' Key donor: Dr. Bharat Barai, who gave ~$35,000 since 2016, has organized Hindu nationalist events and helped arrange a 2019 Houston rally with PM Modi and Trump where Krishnamoorthi appeared. State Sen. Ram Villivalam refused to speak at a 2018 Hindu Congress event over nationalist ties. Krishnamoorthi has not returned these donations.

Commissioner District 12

SEIU Illinois Council PAC — $10K

labor pac donation of $10K to Elizabeth Granato

IL Comptroller

Tribune election-eve report on Lake County primary turnout expectations. Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega projects ~15% of the county's 461,338 registered voters will cast ballots. Relevant to Holly Kim — the Lake County Treasurer — as she depends heavily on Lake County name recognition and local Democratic support as her base for the statewide Comptroller race.

Sheriff

20+ years in office: Critics note incumbency entrenchment and minimal electoral …

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Treasurer Michael Frerichs issued a joint call on Illinois State University administration to settle a contract dispute with striking AFSCME union workers. The call reflects both officials' labor-friendly positioning ahead of the November 2026 election and aligns with Giannoulias's pro-worker policy agenda as he seeks a second term as Secretary of State.

Governor of Illinois

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey visited Illinois State University on April 24, 2026, and stood with striking AFSCME Local 1110 union members on campus during their labor dispute with ISU administration. Bailey spoke with striking workers as part of his outreach to working-class voters ahead of the November general election against incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker. The visit comes as Bailey has been working to distance himself from the MAGA brand while maintaining a populist economic message.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Roll Call reports former Rep. Melissa Bean won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 8th District, putting her on track to likely return to Congress. Bean defeated challengers Junaid Ahmed, Yasmeen Bankole, and others in the crowded field vacated by Raja Krishnamoorthi's Senate run. The NYT noted her win represents a triumph for big-money outside groups that spent heavily in Illinois.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin failed to defeat a crowded field of Democratic candidates despite AIPAC spending aggressively to put her over the top. Conyears-Ervin received the second-highest PAC backing of any Illinois primary candidate at $5.0M, yet La Shawn Ford prevailed.

IL-09

Out-of-state donors — Massachusetts — $27K

individual donation of $27K to Daniel Biss

Governor of Illinois

Chicago Tribune county-level map breakdown of the 2026 Republican governor primary results, confirming Bailey's primary win and setting up the Pritzker-Bailey general election rematch. Pritzker is seeking a historic third term — the first Illinois governor to seek a third term since Jim Thompson won three.

IL Senate

AIPAC Donor Network — $70K+ Direct + Former AIPAC President on Finance Committee

The Intercept reported on March 12, 2026 that at least 27 AIPAC donors gave $70K+ directly to Stratton's Senate campaign. Lee Rosenberg, a former president of AIPAC, sits on her campaign finance committee. AIPAC is officially staying neutral in the IL Senate race but its donor network is active for Stratton. This is an apparent tension with her progressive positioning, particularly given that she has been endorsed by Elizabeth Warren and End Citizens United.

IL Senate

Voted Yes on $26.4B Military Aid to Israel (2024)

Kelly voted yes on H.R. 8034 (April 20, 2024) providing $26.4B in emergency military aid to Israel and yes on H.R. 8369 (May 15, 2024) to release withheld weapons to Israel. Both are on the record. She also voted yes on the Yemen War Powers Resolution (2023) — an anti-war vote showing some limit to her hawkishness. Her voting record on Gaza/Israel is a mixed signal for progressive primary voters.

Board President

Tribune election-eve dispatch from March 16 confirms voters head to polls Tuesday in cold weather. Covers the open U.S. Senate race and Cook County Board President contest (Preckwinkle vs. Reilly) as marquee local races. Reilly's challenge to the incumbent is noted alongside the Senate contest and crowded U.S. House primaries as defining features of the March 17 ballot.

Assessor

WBEZ comprehensive March 17 primary preview covers all key races including Cook County Board President (Preckwinkle vs. Reilly), Cook County Assessor (Kaegi vs. Hynes), U.S. Senate, governor, and comptroller.

Assessor

About 1,700 certificates of error submitted to outgoing Assessor Fritz Kaegi's office are missing valid grounds for relief. Incoming Democratic primary winner Pat Hynes, who ran on fixing property tax chaos, is cited in coverage as 'poised to become the next Cook County Assessor.' The story illustrates the dysfunction Hynes has pledged to address when she takes office in December 2026.

Commissioner District 12

Chicagoland Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC — $10K

labor pac donation of $10K to Elizabeth Granato

IL Comptroller

Holly Kim, endorsed by outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza, currently serves as Lake County Treasurer and is running for IL Comptroller in the Democratic primary.

Sheriff

SEIU Illinois Council PAC Fund — $38K

labor donation of $38K to Thomas Dart

Board President

Here are 8 races to watch in the 2026 Illinois primary election

NBC Chicago's final pre-primary roundup includes the Cook County Board President race among 8 must-watch contests. Notes Preckwinkle is seeking a fifth term pledging improved healthcare access, criminal justice reform, and youth employment, against challenger Ald. Brendan Reilly.

IL Secretary of State

Governor of Illinois

Lost 2022 governor race by 12.5 points statewide

In the November 8, 2022 general election, Bailey received 1,739,095 votes (42.37%) vs. JB Pritzker's 2,253,748 (54.91%), a 12.5-percentage-point margin — the widest Illinois Republican loss in a governor's race since 2002. Bailey was shut out in all six collar counties except one, reflecting deep suburban Chicago weakness.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Newsweek post-primary analysis of AIPAC's $12M overall spending across Illinois. Elect Chicago Women (AIPAC-aligned PAC) spent ~$3.9M supporting Bean in the 8th Congressional District, and Bean won — making her one of the few AIPAC-backed candidates to prevail in a cycle where the group's candidates lost in multiple high-profile races including IL-07 (Conyears-Ervin) and the Senate race. Bean defeated a crowded field including Junaid Ahmed, Yasmeen Bankole, and others.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Axios reports that AIPAC-backed Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin lost the Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District to state Rep. La Shawn Ford, as part of a broader pattern of AIPAC and centrist Democratic defeats across Illinois primaries on March 17.

IL-09

Out-of-state donors — New York — $25K

individual donation of $25K to Daniel Biss

Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker spoke at the Gridiron Club dinner in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2026, joking about his rapid weight loss, ribbing former Mayor Rahm Emanuel (another potential 2028 presidential hopeful), and criticizing the Trump administration before an audience of Washington journalists and dignitaries. The appearance fed significant 2028 presidential speculation.

IL Senate

Illinois Future PAC — $11.8M in Outside Spending, Pritzker-Controlled

Illinois Future PAC, which has spent $11.8M supporting Stratton and attacking Krishnamoorthi, is overwhelmingly funded by Gov. JB Pritzker ($5M) and allies including Laura Ricketts ($250K). Stratton benefits directly from this spending while officially not coordinating. The Fairshake PAC's ads and the Indian American Impact Fund PAC have attacked Stratton for 'relying on dark money super PACs.' Capitol News Illinois (March 10, 2026) confirmed Illinois Future PAC as the largest outside spender in the race.

IL Senate

Will Illinois' Democratic Primary for Senate Divide Black Voters?

The New York Times examines how both Stratton and Kelly are competing for the same Black voting base in a race where their combined support could hand a plurality to Krishnamoorthi. The Congressional Black Caucus's public call-out of Gov. Pritzker for 'heavy-handing' the race is highlighted.

Assessor

Sun-Times profiles the Kaegi vs. Hynes assessor primary. Hynes, first-term Lyons Township Assessor with 23 years working inside the Assessor's office as a residential field inspector, is running as the Cook County Democratic Party-endorsed challenger against Kaegi's third-term bid. The piece covers their contrasting approaches to property valuation methodology and accountability.

Assessor

About 1,700 certificates of error filed with incumbent Fritz Kaegi's office are missing required evidence and will be rejected, leaving hundreds of Cook County homeowners without the property tax relief they expected. Hoodline reports Fritz Kaegi conceded to Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes, who ran on a promise to fix exactly this kind of tax chaos. Hynes is now 'the party's nominee for assessor this fall,' per WBEZ. The story underscores the ongoing dysfunction Hynes will inherit in December 2026.

IL Senate

Raja Krishnamoorthi lays out his case in 2026 Illinois Senate primary

NBC Chicago profiles Krishnamoorthi's campaign argument, highlighting his roughly $25 million war chest — one of the largest of any Senate candidate in the country — and his case for why the best-funded candidate should win.

IL Comptroller

Illinois primary day featuring competitive races including the IL Comptroller Democratic primary where Holly Kim faces challengers.

Sheriff

Peter Spyropoulos — $32K

individual donation of $32K to Thomas Dart

Board President

NBC Chicago overview of key 2026 primary races, covering Preckwinkle vs. Reilly for Cook County Board President and Kaegi vs. Hynes for Assessor among the notable local contests.

IL Secretary of State

270toWin election day results tracker confirms Alexi Giannoulias is unopposed in the Democratic primary for his second term as Illinois Secretary of State.

Governor of Illinois

Pritzker spent $24M via DGA to prop Bailey up in GOP primary

Gov. JB Pritzker contributed $24 million to the Democratic Governors' Association, which ran ads calling Bailey 'too conservative for Illinois' — a deliberate strategy to elevate the most beatable Republican over moderate Richard Irvin (backed by $50M from Ken Griffin). The tactic worked: Bailey won the June 2022 primary with 57.7%, then lost the general by 12.5 points.

U.S. House (IL-08)

WBEZ's definitive post-primary spending breakdown: Elect Chicago Women, an AIPAC-aligned PAC, spent $3.9 million supporting Melissa Bean in the 8th Congressional District primary. Bean won, becoming one of the few AIPAC-backed candidates to prevail on a night when the pro-Israel lobby's $12M-plus outlay yielded mixed results statewide.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Roll Call post-primary analysis confirms Melissa Bean won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 8th District, defeating Melissa Conyears-Ervin and six other candidates. Bean is now the Democratic nominee and heavily favored in the November general election in the safely Democratic suburban Chicago district. Conyears-Ervin's loss ends her bid to return to elected office after leaving the Chicago City Treasurer role.

Governor of Illinois

Chicago Sun-Times reports on the political firestorm following the murder of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman, allegedly by Venezuelan migrant Jose Medina-Medina. As of Tuesday morning, neither Pritzker nor Mayor Brandon Johnson had spoken directly with the Gorman family. The case has intensified national debate over Chicago and Illinois sanctuary policies ahead of the 2026 election.

IL Senate

Juliana Stratton lays out her case in 2026 Illinois Senate primary

NBC Chicago profiles Stratton's closing argument, noting her recent poll showing a slight lead and Gov. Pritzker's active campaigning on her behalf. She is battling both Krishnamoorthi's money advantage and the presence of Robin Kelly splitting Black voters.

IL Senate

AIPAC Is Staying Out of Illinois Senate Race — But Its Donors Back Juliana Strat…

The Intercept's reporting on AIPAC donor networks notes Kelly has received backing from CAIR Midwest and the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition despite her yes votes on $26.4B Israel military aid — suggesting she is threading a difficult needle with progressive Muslim voters in the primary.

Assessor

Tribune day-before guide covers the Assessor's race, showing Kaegi and Hynes at a Des Plaines candidate forum. Race framed as incumbent-defender vs. property-tax-reform challenger with one day to go.

Assessor

Pat Hynes, the incoming Cook County Assessor-elect, told the Beverly Review that Cook County previously had an audit function that caught massive property tax bill errors before they were mailed to homeowners — a safeguard the Kaegi administration eliminated. Hynes said restoring this review process is among his first priorities when he takes office in December 2026. The story reflects ongoing residential tax bill chaos that defined Hynes' successful primary campaign.

IL Senate

NYT's morning-after takeaways note that AIPAC's $10M+ investment in Krishnamoorthi's Senate race failed, alongside crypto and AI PAC spending. Krishnamoorthi's defeat marks a significant loss for the pro-Israel lobbying apparatus heading into the 2026 midterms.

IL Comptroller

State Rep. Margaret Croke declared victory in the Illinois Comptroller Democratic primary, defeating Holly Kim (Lake County Treasurer), Karina Villa, and Stephanie Kifowit. Outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza had endorsed Holly Kim as her replacement, but Croke's Chicago base and campaign support carried the race.

Sheriff

John F. Winters, Jr. — $31K

individual donation of $31K to Thomas Dart

Board President

WTTW reports incumbent Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle declared victory in the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary election at a campaign event at Little Black Pearl in Kenwood. Preckwinkle is now the presumptive fifth-term Cook County Board President with no Republican challenger filed for November.

IL Secretary of State

Two Republican candidates competing in the March 17 primary for the chance to face Democrat incumbent Alexi Giannoulias in the November general election.

Governor of Illinois

Voted to raise school property taxes 81% — now campaigns against property taxes

Tax records at the Clay County Treasurer's office and Illinois Department of Revenue show that from 1996 to 2012, while serving on the North Clay Board of Education, Bailey voted to increase the property tax levy every time one was proposed, totaling an 81% combined increase — a direct contradiction of his anti-property-tax legislative and campaign messaging.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Analysis of AIPAC's $12M spend in Illinois primaries: despite major losses on Senate and other races, AIPAC-backed Melissa Bean won the IL-08 primary, making Bean's race a rare win for the pro-Israel PAC.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Newsweek's post-primary accounting of AIPAC's $12M+ spending across Illinois. United Democracy Project (AIPAC-affiliated) spent $5 million in the 7th Congressional District, mostly backing Conyears-Ervin — one of AIPAC's biggest single-race investments in Illinois. Despite the spending, La Shawn Ford won the crowded 13-candidate field, handing AIPAC one of its highest-profile losses of the cycle.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats seized on a wave of new job commitments and private-sector investment in Q1 2026, going on offense to counter Republican attacks that companies are fleeing the state. The April 2 Playbook noted Pritzker's push comes amid a broader anti-Trump economic messaging campaign heading into the governor's race.

IL Senate

NYT analysis frames Stratton's win as a test case for progressive anti-Trump messaging in 2026 midterms. Her calls to abolish ICE resonated in Chicago communities affected by Trump's Operation Midway Blitz. She now faces Republican Don Tracy in November for the safely Democratic seat.

IL Senate

Five Illinois congressional seats, Senate seat open in historic election year

WBEZ comprehensive primary preview (March 13) covering all three Senate candidates. Covers Kelly's positioning as a candidate with proven electoral track record in the south suburbs.

Assessor

Tribune election-eve (March 16) roundup confirms cold weather forecast for primary day. Cook County Assessor race between incumbent Kaegi and challenger Hynes is among the key county-level contests voters will decide Tuesday. Both candidates have made skyrocketing property tax bills the central flashpoint of the race.

Assessor

The 2026 Cook County reassessment cycle covers the southern and western suburbs of Chicago — the same communities where property tax frustration drove Pat Hynes' primary victory over incumbent Fritz Kaegi. Hynes, who ran on reforming the assessment methodology, will oversee the December-delivered notices for this major suburban reassessment. Property owners in the south and west suburbs will receive Reassessment Notices under the outgoing Kaegi methodology, with Hynes stepping in to manage any correction process.

IL Senate

The American Prospect analysis reveals that Krishnamoorthi, despite railing against Trump, benefited from MAGA-affiliated donors including venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, Heritage Foundation senior adviser Michael Pillsbury, and Shyam Sankar, CTO of Palantir and a Trump adviser who donated hundreds of thousands to Republican causes in 2026. The story became a key line of attack in the final days of the primary.

IL Comptroller

Tribune reports Croke declared victory in a tightly contested Illinois Comptroller race. Holly Kim, endorsed by outgoing Comptroller Mendoza and backed by significant labor support, placed in a multi-candidate field behind Croke.

Sheriff

UA Political Education Committee (Plumbers union) — $25K

labor donation of $25K to Thomas Dart

Board President

Illinois House committee advanced a bill prohibiting new immigration detention centers within 1,500 feet of schools, churches, and residences — directly tied to the Broadview ICE facility that was the center of Operation Midway Blitz protests. The bill's passage is politically relevant to Cook County Board President Preckwinkle, whose 2026 ICE data-sharing contract renewal drew criticism from immigrant advocates during the primary season.

IL Secretary of State

Alexi Giannoulias, incumbent Democrat, has filed to run for reelection as Illinois Secretary of State. Walter Adamczyk and Diane M. Harris filed as Republican challengers.

Governor of Illinois

Least productive legislator in Senate GOP caucus: 1 bill signed in 2 years

As an Illinois state senator from 2021–2023, Bailey was chief sponsor of exactly one bill that became law — SB 2150, a firefighter recruitment measure. WBEZ found no member of the 18-person Senate Republican caucus had fewer chief-sponsored bills enacted. His House record was similarly thin: one bill (increased fines for passing school buses) over two years.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Chicago Tribune live primary results page for Illinois's 8th Congressional District Democratic primary. With Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi running for U.S. Senate, a crowded field emerged; Melissa Bean wins the Democratic nomination and will face Republican Jennifer Davis in the November general election.

U.S. House (IL-08)

WBEZ's PAC scorecard confirms United Democracy Project spent $5 million in the 7th Congressional District backing Melissa Conyears-Ervin. She lost to La Shawn Ford. The loss was widely seen as a significant AIPAC defeat in a crowded field, despite Conyears-Ervin having strong name recognition from her time as Chicago City Treasurer.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker sent a letter to Congress urging permanent authorization for year-round E15 gasoline sales, pointing to tariffs and global instability as mounting pressures on Illinois farmers. 'Mounting pressure on the agriculture economy can be traced directly back to recent federal policy decisions,' Pritzker wrote, including the devastating effects of tariffs. The letter is part of Pritzker's broader economic resistance posture heading into the 2026 general election.

IL Senate

WBEZ post-primary coverage of Stratton's Senate Democratic primary victory. She faces a likely Republican opponent in November 2026. Stratton's win was powered by Gov. Pritzker's $5M investment through Illinois Future PAC, and she defeated Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Robin Kelly in a three-way race. The piece frames the general election as a likely Democratic hold given Illinois's strong Democratic lean.

IL Senate

Chicago Tribune's final-weekend dispatch covers candidates canvassing the South Side Irish Parade, Black churches, and local rallies on the eve of the March 17 primary. Preckwinkle, Reilly, Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton all named; the piece emphasizes how tens of millions in out-of-state PAC money (pro-Israel AIPAC, crypto, AI interests) have nationalized what were traditionally local races.

Assessor

Fritz Kaegi faces Pat Hynes in Democratic primary; Kaegi previously won 82%+ against Libertarian in 2022. Winner faces Libertarian Nico Tsatsoulis in November.

Assessor

Illinois Answers Project reports that Cook County homeowners are still awaiting resolution months after the late second-installment property tax bills, with county officials blaming their technology vendor for a cascade of failures including delayed refunds to tens of thousands. The systemic breakdown — the same dysfunction that helped fuel Hynes' primary upset over incumbent Fritz Kaegi — remains unresolved, signaling the scale of the operational challenges awaiting Hynes when he takes office in December 2026.

IL Senate

The New York Times updated its Illinois Senate polling tracker for the 2026 general election between Stratton and Tracy. Krishnamoorthi lost the Democratic primary to Stratton on March 17.

IL Comptroller

Peoria Journal Star reports final primary results showing State Rep. Margaret Croke winning the Illinois Comptroller Democratic primary. Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim finished third with approximately 22.4% of the vote, behind Croke (37.1%) and state Sen. Karina Villa (33.1%).

Board President

The April 2, 2026 Politico Illinois Playbook — the first post-primary week's main political news roundup — notes Gov. Pritzker and Illinois Democrats are touting a jobs surge in Q1 2026. Cook County Board President Preckwinkle, who governs the region's largest county and serves as Cook County Democratic Party Chair, operates within the same political narrative framework heading into November.

IL Secretary of State

Incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is running unopposed in his primary for reelection, automatically advancing to the November general election. For the GOP nomination for secretary of state, Joliet resident Diane M. Harris is competing against Chicagoan Walter Adamczyk. The winner will face Giannoulias in November; Giannoulias is a heavy favorite in the blue state.

Governor of Illinois

Called for statewide abortion ban with no rape/incest exception

Bailey supports a complete statewide ban on abortion except to save the mother's life, explicitly opposing exceptions for rape or incest. In a 2017 Facebook video, he compared abortion to the Holocaust, stating 'the attempted extermination of the Jews of World War II doesn't even compare on a shadow of the life that has been lost with abortion since its legalization.'

U.S. House (IL-08)

Post-primary analysis covers Bean's IL-08 win as one of the AIPAC-aligned victories in Illinois. Miller and Bean — both supported by Elect Chicago Women super PAC ($3.9M for Bean) — won their primaries, while the AIPAC-aligned candidate Conyears-Ervin lost in the 7th District. Bean's win is cited as a partial success for the pro-Israel spending coalition.

U.S. House (IL-08)

NYT live tracker notes in the 7th Congressional District, Conyears-Ervin trailed La Shawn Ford with two-thirds of the vote in. Ford ultimately won the primary, ending Conyears-Ervin's congressional bid in a 13-candidate field.

Governor of Illinois

Speaking at a conference of Black activists in New York City on Thursday, Gov. JB Pritzker warned attendees that President Trump intends to deploy ICE agents to polling places to suppress voting ahead of November 2026. Pritzker told the audience 'all of us need to be civil rights advocates' and urged voters to physically push past any ICE presence at the polls. The remarks amplify Pritzker's national profile as a leading Trump resistance figure and sharpen the contrast with GOP gubernatorial opponent Darren Bailey heading into the general election.

IL Senate

General election for Illinois U.S. Senate confirmed as Juliana Stratton (D) vs. Don Tracy (R), plus independents Austin Mink, Tyrone Muhammad, and Anthony Smith on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Republicans have not won a statewide Illinois election in more than a decade; Stratton is the heavy favorite.

IL Senate

Tribune's definitive pre-primary Senate analysis: the contest has narrowed to Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton. The race is framed as a test of Gov. Pritzker's political power through his backing of Stratton, his two-term running mate. Notes the cascade of outside PAC money since Durbin's retirement announcement and the role of Trump's second term (immigration raids, Iran war, federal funding threats) as the backdrop.

Assessor

Two-term Assessor Fritz Kaegi faces a challenge from Pat Hynes in the Democratic primary.

Assessor

Post-primary interview with Cook County Assessor-elect Pat Hynes on his first major interview since winning Democratic primary over incumbent Fritz Kaegi. Hynes outlines plans for public-facing economic development arm in assessor's office, partnership with county president to attract new investment, and support for large-scale redevelopment in underinvested neighborhoods to increase housing and grow tax base.

IL Senate

Post-primary AIPAC analysis covers the Illinois 2026 races including the Senate contest Krishnamoorthi lost. AIPAC's mixed results across Illinois House primaries reflect the complex political terrain he navigated.

IL Comptroller

Tribune morning-after report confirms the Illinois Comptroller Democratic primary remains too close to call. Holly Kim, who had Comptroller Susana Mendoza's endorsement, finished a distant third with ~24% of votes counted at 92% reporting, trailing leader Croke (34.6%) and Villa (32.2%). Approximately 88,000 Chicago mail-in ballots remain outstanding. Kim's third-place finish is a significant setback for her campaign.

Board President

Cook County Health's Medicaid Impact Workgroup launched the 'Get Medicaid Facts' microsite and communications toolkit warning that up to 400,000 Illinois residents could lose Medicaid coverage due to H.R. 1 cuts starting October 2026. Board President Toni Preckwinkle said: 'H.R. 1 imposes more complex processes that demand significant funding, staffing and infrastructure yet provides local Medicaid agencies only months to prepare.' The law is projected to cut $26 billion in Medicaid funding to Illinois over 10 years.

IL Secretary of State

Sun-Times election night recap confirms Alexi Giannoulias ran unopposed in the Democratic Secretary of State primary, advancing automatically to the November general election. Giannoulias was first elected in 2022 and is seeking his second term.

Governor of Illinois

Refused to wear mask in 2020 House session, ejected in 81-27 bipartisan vote

On May 20, 2020, the Illinois House voted 81–27 — a bipartisan margin — to remove Bailey from the chamber floor for refusing to wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. He had also filed a lawsuit in Clay County Circuit Court challenging Pritzker's stay-at-home order; a judge issued a temporary restraining order that applied only to Bailey personally and was later vacated.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Politico reports Melissa Bean's primary win was powered in part by AIPAC and tech/AI-aligned PAC spending in the crowded IL-08 Democratic field. Bean, a former moderate Democrat who served 2005-2011, is now poised to return to Congress in a seat considered safely Democratic in November.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Tribune story on the IL-02 race notes that outgoing Rep. Robin Kelly — who gave up the seat to run for Senate — vacated a district now won by Donna Miller. Melissa Conyears-Ervin ran in the adjacent IL-07 (not IL-02) and lost to La Shawn Ford in the Democratic primary for Danny Davis's open seat.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. Pritzker appeared at Al Sharpton's National Action Network (NAN) 35th Anniversary Convention in New York on April 9, 2026, alongside potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders including Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Josh Shapiro, Wes Moore, and others. Pritzker warned that Trump would send ICE agents to polling places and called on voters to 'push them aside.' The appearance further fueled 2028 presidential speculation.

IL Senate

The New York Times published an updated polling tracker for the 2026 Illinois U.S. Senate general election, tracking Juliana Stratton (D) vs. Don Tracy (R). Stratton leads in early post-primary polling.

IL Senate

The three leading Democratic Senate candidates met for their final debate before the March 17 primary, largely sticking to familiar talking points. Krishnamoorthi and Stratton continued clashing over outside donors; Kelly maintained a steadier, lower-conflict posture.

Assessor

Results are being tallied in the hotly contested Cook County Assessor Democratic primary on Election Night. Two-term incumbent Fritz Kaegi faces challenger Pat Hynes (Lyons Township assessor). Since there are no Republican candidates running for assessor, the Democratic primary winner will automatically be the next assessor. Kaegi has blasted Hynes for accepting donations from property tax attorneys; Hynes blames Kaegi for skyrocketing property taxes on the South and West sides of Chicago.

Assessor

Hynes challenges Kaegi for Cook County Assessor

Southwest Regional Publishing profiles Pat Hynes, Lyons Township assessor and nephew of former Cook County Assessor Thomas Hynes, who is challenging two-term incumbent Fritz Kaegi in the March 17 Democratic primary.

IL Senate

Congressman Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner demanding immediate answers about Trump's executive order directing USPS to restrict delivery of absentee and mail ballots based on a federally compiled eligibility list and new ballot envelope requirements. Krishnamoorthi warned the order would force USPS into 'an unprecedented and deeply troubling role in federal elections.' The letter flags implications for Illinois voters ahead of the November 2026 midterms.

IL Comptroller

NPR Illinois confirms state Rep. Margaret Croke won the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller, defeating Holly Kim, Karina Villa, and Stephanie Kifowit. Croke received the most votes; Kifowit came in last with 8.7%. The AP called the race on March 19 after outstanding Chicago mail-in ballots were largely counted. Croke's victory was described as another win for Gov. Pritzker, who had backed her. Kim, the Lake County Treasurer, received approximately 24% in the final tally.

Board President

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced the release of a 2026 construction project map covering 13 new road projects and 40 continuing from prior years, providing residents a platform to track county transportation progress.

IL Secretary of State

NBC Chicago primary results roundup confirms incumbent Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. He will face Republican Diane Harris (who secured the GOP nomination) in the November general election. With no primary challenge, Giannoulias is positioned as a strong favorite in the heavily Democratic state.

Governor of Illinois

Highland Park shooting 'move on' gaffe caused national backlash

On July 4, 2022, within 90 minutes of the Highland Park parade shooting that killed 7 people, Bailey stated in a Facebook livestream: 'The shooter is still at large, so let's pray for justice to prevail, and then let's move on and let's celebrate the independence of this nation.' He later apologized. The incident reinforced his image as insensitive to suburban Chicago communities.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Fox News reports Melissa Bean, the former congresswoman who represented Illinois' 8th Congressional District before losing her seat in 2010, has won Tuesday's primary election to retake the seat. Bean ran in a significantly redrawn 8th District following Krishnamoorthi's Senate run.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Post-primary spending analysis notes that the United Democracy Project (AIPAC-aligned) spent $5M supporting Conyears-Ervin in IL-07 against La Shawn Ford — and lost. The piece characterizes the IL-07 result as a clear defeat for AIPAC-aligned spending, as Ford won despite the $5M outside investment for his opponent.

Governor of Illinois

Op-ed by Chicago business leader and politician Willie Wilson challenges Gov. Pritzker's record on affordability ahead of the 2026 general election, as Pritzker seeks a third term with an eye on the 2028 presidential contest. Wilson argues Pritzker has not adequately solved key cost-of-living issues for Illinoisans.

IL Senate

The April 2 Politico Illinois Playbook covers Gov. Pritzker and Democrats touting a Q1 2026 jobs surge as the first major post-primary political development. Senate nominee Juliana Stratton, Pritzker's longtime running mate, benefits directly from the positive economic narrative heading into her November contest against Republican Don Tracy.

IL Senate

AP Decision Notes preview of the March 17 Illinois primary. Senate race: Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, and Stratton (Pritzker-endorsed) top the Democratic field; Krishnamoorthi leads in fundraising with ~$6.6M cash on hand. Pritzker is unopposed for Democratic governor renomination. Republican governor field includes multiple challengers trying to prevent Pritzker's third term.

Assessor

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi conceded to challenger Pat Hynes in the Democratic primary. Kaegi, first elected in 2018, was ousted after an eight-year tenure that included a controversial property reassessment model and the troubled Tyler Technologies tax billing system rollout.

Assessor

Property tax collection rates drop in Chicago neighborhoods with big bill hikes

Chicago Tribune reports that several community leaders in neighborhoods hit hardest by assessment increases have endorsed Hynes over Kaegi, citing property tax affordability concerns.

IL Senate

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, announced on April 13, 2026 that he is endorsing Jay Vaingankar for Congress in New Jersey's 12th Congressional District. The endorsement signals Krishnamoorthi pivoting back to congressional work and Democratic coalition-building in other districts following his March 17 primary loss in the Illinois Senate race to Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

IL Comptroller

WBEZ post-primary spending analysis. Holly Kim's Comptroller primary loss came despite competitive fundraising; the race was dominated by Croke's better-organized Chicago-area network and Pritzker's backing. Kim was the only suburban candidate in a field that skewed toward Chicago-based candidates with stronger county organization.

Board President

Preckwinkle highlighted the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways' 2026 construction season, encompassing 53 total projects. The county released an online tracking tool for residents to follow construction updates.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, advancing automatically to the November general election where he will seek his second four-year term. He will face Republican nominee Diane Harris of Joliet, who defeated Walter Adamczyk in the GOP primary.

Governor of Illinois

ABC7 reports Bailey kicked off his general election campaign Wednesday in Naperville after securing Republican nomination on March 17. Bailey faces uphill battle as underdog in deep-blue Illinois but emphasizing affordability and Pritzker's tax record.

U.S. House (IL-08)

WBEZ reports AP declared Bean the winner shortly after 9:15 p.m. on March 17, with Bean leading the 8-candidate field with 32% of the vote at 91% counted. Bean, backed by more than $7 million in outside super PAC spending, won the Democratic primary to succeed Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi in Illinois' northwest suburban 8th District — 16 years after she lost the seat to Republican Bob Dold in 2010.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Sun-Times reports La Shawn Ford won the IL-07 Democratic primary to succeed retiring Rep. Danny Davis, with Ford earning 23.9% of the vote at 89.6% counted. Melissa Conyears-Ervin finished a close second with 20.5%, despite $5 million in super PAC backing. Ford will be the heavy favorite in November in the safely Democratic Chicago-area district.

Governor of Illinois

FEC records show Gov. JB Pritzker has been quietly bankrolling major Democratic campaign committees, senior leaders, and 2026 congressional challengers in what's seen as groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential run.

IL Senate

Pritzker's new running mate Christian Mitchell published a Tribune op-ed on April 15 confirming the Pritzker-Mitchell gubernatorial ticket for 2026. The piece cements the Illinois Democratic ballot order for November: Pritzker-Mitchell at the top, with Senate nominee Juliana Stratton heading the statewide Senate race against Republican Don Tracy. Stratton, who vacated the Lt. Gov. office to run for Senate, is now free to campaign fully on her Senate platform. Mitchell's op-ed frames the ticket as one of continuity and contrast with Trump.

IL Senate

Election-eve preview from STLPR covering Illinois primary watchpoints. Senate race (Kelly/Krishnamoorthi/Stratton) is top race; candidates have diverged on minimum wage ($25/hr Stratton vs. $17/hr Kelly and Krishnamoorthi). Race has been contentious over MAGA-aligned and corporate donor accusations between Krishnamoorthi and Stratton.

Assessor

Sun-Times election night wrap notes that longtime Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi will soon be out of office after losing to challenger Pat Hynes in the Democratic primary.

Assessor

WBEZ comprehensive March 17 primary preview covers all key races including Cook County Board President (Preckwinkle vs. Reilly), Cook County Assessor (Kaegi vs. Hynes), U.S. Senate, governor, and comptroller.

IL Senate

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi sent a letter on April 16, 2026, to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and the SBA Office of Advocacy demanding immediate federal action to support Illinois small businesses harmed by Operation Midway Blitz. Krishnamoorthi called for the SBA to issue emergency economic injury disaster loans and deploy outreach resources to Broadview and surrounding communities devastated by the Trump administration's immigration enforcement surge. Though Krishnamoorthi lost the March 17 Democratic Senate primary, he remains in Congress representing IL-08 and is continuing legislative work through the end of his term.

IL Comptroller

Croke wins Democratic comptroller primary, defeating Holly Kim and others. Croke received 39% of Cook County vote; Kim, endorsed by outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza, finished third.

Board President

Soda Tax Backlash — Revenue Motive Admitted

Preckwinkle championed a controversial penny-per-ounce soda tax in 2017, which reached 87% disapproval in polls and was repealed. She later admitted the primary motivation was revenue, not public health.

IL Secretary of State

Tribune preview of the Republican primary to oppose Giannoulias in November. Notes two underfunded Republicans contested the GOP primary while Giannoulias ran unopposed on the Democratic side. In the 2022 general election Giannoulias won with 54% over Republican Dan Brady. He is heavily favored for reelection in the November general election.

Governor of Illinois

National political analysis on Bailey's general election prospects vs. Pritzker. The Hill notes Bailey positioning campaign on crime, education, and affordability, but acknowledges he enters as the underdog in a state where Republicans have not won a statewide election in over a decade.

U.S. House (IL-08)

AP News reports former U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean won the Democratic nomination for Illinois' open 8th Congressional District seat (vacated by Raja Krishnamoorthi), and advances to face Republican Jennifer Davis in November in the suburban Chicago district.

U.S. House (IL-08)

NYT post-primary analysis notes Melissa Conyears-Ervin trailed La Shawn Ford with two-thirds of the vote in the 7th Congressional District primary, despite heavy AIPAC outside spending in her favor. Ford's endorsement from outgoing Rep. Danny Davis proved the decisive organizational factor.

Governor of Illinois

Politico's Illinois Playbook profile on Gov. JB Pritzker's political identity and strategy, featuring a candid conversation about his 2026 gubernatorial campaign, the role of the Democratic Party infrastructure he's built, and ongoing speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. Pritzker discussed unifying Democrats after a bruising primary season.

IL Senate

Corporate Contributions Despite 'No Corporate PAC' Pledge — Sun-Times Investigat…

Chicago Sun-Times (Nov. 21, 2025) reported that while Stratton vowed to reject corporate PAC money, she has a history of accepting corporate PAC and direct corporate contributions in her state campaign funds since 2016. For her Senate race: she returned a $5,000 Marquis Energy PAC check but accepted $21,000 from Marquis family members personally, and her Level Up PAC accepted $46,000 from Marquis family and $5,000 in corporate PAC money. Krishnamoorthi's campaign aired a TV ad citing the Sun-Times story. Stratton's campaign says the pledge applies only to her Senate campaign committee, which has held to it.

IL Senate

Tribune election-eve dispatch (March 16) confirms Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, and Stratton as the three leading Democratic candidates for the open U.S. Senate seat, with additional minor candidates also listed. Cold weather forecast for primary day. The article notes campaign signs for Pritzker and Stratton at Chicago-area early voting sites — a sign of the governor's active investment in the Senate race and his own third-term bid.

Assessor

Cook County primary roundup noting Fritz Kaegi fell to Pat Hynes in the assessor race while Toni Preckwinkle won the county board president race; two incumbent county board members also lost.

Assessor

Sun-Times profiles the Kaegi vs. Hynes assessor primary. Hynes, first-term Lyons Township Assessor with 23 years working inside the Assessor's office as a residential field inspector, is running as the Cook County Democratic Party-endorsed challenger against Kaegi's third-term bid. The piece covers their contrasting approaches to property valuation methodology and accountability.

IL Senate

AIPAC Endorsement + Pro-Israel Donor Network ($250K+ career)

AIPAC endorsed Krishnamoorthi for his 2024 House reelection. He has received over $250K from pro-Israel lobby groups over his career per OpenSecrets. He voted yes on $26.4B in emergency military aid to Israel (H.R. 8034, April 2024) and yes on release of withheld weapons (H.R. 8369, May 2024). AIPAC is officially neutral in the IL Senate race but its donor network is active in his Senate campaign.

IL Comptroller

Official confirmation that Holly Kim lost the Democratic primary to Margaret Croke, who secured the nomination over Villa and Kim. Croke led in Cook County while Villa performed best in west suburban counties.

Board President

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Rep. Lauren Underwood at ACA anniversary press conference in Chicago, criticizing Trump administration for failing to extend expanded tax credits. Preckwinkle stated that local government should not have to backfill for federal disinvestment on healthcare.

IL Secretary of State

Alexi Giannoulias advances unopposed in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, Diane Harris and Walter Adamczyk contested the GOP nomination. Giannoulias heads to the general as a heavy favorite.

Governor of Illinois

Familiar foes line up in Republican primary for chance against Gov. JB Pritzker

Chicago Sun-Times profiles Bailey as the field's frontrunner on name recognition from his 2022 loss, but notes the campaign has only $152K cash on hand vs. $316K in debts, and that he remained in the race after the October 2025 helicopter crash that killed his son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren — describing him as a 'changed candidate' running with a moderating tone.

U.S. House (IL-08)

ABC7 Chicago reports Melissa Bean is projected to win the Democratic nomination for Illinois' 8th Congressional District, reclaiming the seat she held from 2005-2011. Jennifer Davis is projected to win the Republican nomination. Bean led a crowded 8-candidate field with 32% at 93% counted. General election matchup: Bean (D) vs. Davis (R) — a district that has not sent a Republican to Congress since Davis's predecessor Bob Dold won in 2010.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Guardian Election Day overview of Illinois congressional races. Identifies Conyears-Ervin as a prominent IL-07 Democratic primary contender backed by AIPAC-affiliated United Democracy Project independent expenditures — making her race a bellwether test of pro-Israel PAC influence in progressive urban districts.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois pension unfunded liability hit $143.7 billion under his tenure

Illinois' five state pension systems carried an unfunded liability of $143.7 billion as of June 2025, measured at market value of assets — up $1.5 billion year-over-year. Illinois has the highest net pension liability per capita in the nation at nearly $17,500 per resident and the second-highest total net pension liabilities after California. The state pays $32 million every day just to service the five state pension systems. Despite ten credit upgrades, the structural pension hole remains unaddressed by constitutional reform.

IL Senate

A historic Senate opening meets a divided Illinois Democratic Party

Politico's pre-primary analysis notes that crypto PACs are running attack ads against Stratton while simultaneously boosting Kelly to siphon votes away from her — a coordinated strategy to benefit Krishnamoorthi.

IL Senate

Election Day guide covers the competitive three-way Democratic Senate primary. Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, and Stratton highlighted as the top-tier contenders. A late internal poll shows the race within the margin of error between Krishnamoorthi (31.6%) and Stratton (29.4%), with Kelly at 8%.

Assessor

WBEZ post-primary PAC analysis notes that Fritz Kaegi, who lost to Pat Hynes in the Cook County Assessor Democratic primary, was outpowered by the Cook County Democratic Party's organizational machine. The race was a test of whether Kaegi's reform-oriented legacy could survive a well-organized slate challenge backed by assessor industry insiders and the party establishment.

Assessor

Tribune final day-before guide covers the Cook County Assessor race. Hynes is challenging incumbent Kaegi on property tax burdens; hard-hit neighborhoods have endorsed Hynes over Kaegi.

IL Senate

Crypto Industry PAC (Fairshake) — Funded by Trump Megadonors

Fairshake, a crypto industry PAC primarily funded by Coinbase and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), has spent $5.5M+ attacking Stratton and $8.2M total per AdImpact. Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen, the firm's principals, gave $11M to MAGA Inc. (Trump PAC) per the New York Times. Fairshake also funds Protect Progress PAC, which spent $89,900 supporting Kelly. Krishnamoorthi has benefited substantially from this outside spending ecosystem without direct coordination.

IL Comptroller

NYT live results tracker for the Illinois Comptroller Democratic primary shows Holly Kim finished third with approximately 24.4% of the statewide vote, behind winner Margaret Croke and Karina Villa. Kim dominated her home Lake County, winning more than half of primary voters there, but could not overcome the Chicago-area advantages of the other candidates.

Board President

Cook County Board president race hinges on whether voters want steady hand or ne…

The Chicago Tribune's pre-primary analysis examines the race between incumbent Preckwinkle and challenger Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward), framing it as an establishment vs. modernization contest. Reilly has raised competitively and made the Tyler Technologies contract cost overruns a central attack.

IL Secretary of State

NBC News confirms Giannoulias is unopposed in the Democratic primary as he seeks a second term as Illinois Secretary of State.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois primary election: Key races for governor, U.S. Senate

USA Today pre-primary analysis notes a Victory Research poll showing Pritzker with a 20% lead over Bailey in a hypothetical general election rematch, with Pritzker's approval at 52% — underscoring Bailey's continued electability challenge despite his frontrunner status in the GOP primary.

U.S. House (IL-08)

CBS Chicago projects Melissa Bean wins the Democratic primary for Illinois' open 8th Congressional District. On the Republican side, software company owner Jennifer Davis led with 51.2% at 69% counted. Bean will face Davis in November's general election in the suburban Chicago district that has leaned Democratic since 2012.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Sun-Times primary result update: Bean won the 8-candidate Democratic primary. Conyears-Ervin, backed by Chicago progressive networks, came in second but was unable to match Bean's suburban appeal and moderate positioning in a district that stretches from Chicago's Northwest Side to Elgin.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois property taxes are the highest in the nation at 1.83% effective rate

Illinois homeowners paid an average effective property tax rate of 1.83% in 2024, ranking highest in the nation per the Illinois Policy Institute and Tax Foundation data — more than double the national average. On a median-priced Illinois home of $250,500, that equals $4,584 per year. Earlier rankings placed Illinois second to New Jersey; the Tax Foundation's 2025 data places Illinois #1 for effective property tax rate.

IL Senate

Will Illinois' Democratic Primary for Senate Divide Black Voters?

The New York Times examines how the three-way race — with Stratton and Kelly splitting the Black female electorate — could hand Krishnamoorthi a plurality win despite neither progressive candidate being able to consolidate support.

IL Senate

Two House members Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi are competing with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin.

Assessor

Post-primary WTTW interview with Pat Hynes following Fritz Kaegi's concession, covering Hynes's vision for the assessor's office and approach to property taxes.

Assessor

Tribune election-eve (March 16) dispatch ahead of the March 17 primary. The Cook County Assessor race (Hynes vs. Kaegi) is among the county-level contests featured as voters prepare to head to polls in cold weather. Hynes has centered his challenge on Kaegi's assessment approach and property tax affordability.

IL Senate

MAGA/Trump-Aligned Donor Network — $90K+ Confirmed

The Chicago Sun-Times reported December 8, 2025 that Krishnamoorthi accepted more than $90,000 from Trump/MAGA-aligned donors. Specifically named: Shyam Sankar, CTO of Palantir (ICE contractor, gave $260K+ to Republican causes in 2025); Marc Andreessen (Trump adviser who gave $11M to MAGA Inc.); Michael Pillsbury (Project 2025 contributor, Heritage Foundation). He also accepted $120K+ from corporate PACs of companies donating to Trump's White House ballroom construction.

IL Comptroller

Sun-Times confirms final certified results: Margaret Croke defeated Holly Kim, Karina Villa, and Stephanie Kifowit in the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller. Outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza had endorsed Kim as her preferred successor. Kim finished third or fourth in the four-way primary race, ending her bid to replace Mendoza.

Board President

Preckwinkle seeks fifth term as Cook County Board President, talks political fut…

WGN-TV reports Preckwinkle is seeking an unprecedented fifth term and faces a serious primary challenge from Chicago Ald. Brendan Reilly, who has made the county's property tax system modernization failures and Preckwinkle's age (she is 79) key issues in the race.

IL Secretary of State

Politico Illinois Playbook reports Alexi Giannoulias is accumulating substantial campaign cash ahead of his unopposed Secretary of State primary, with growing speculation he may be positioning for a 2027 Chicago mayoral run. The cash buildup is unusual for an uncontested incumbent, fueling political chatter about his broader ambitions.

Governor of Illinois

Bailey to make stop in Metropolis ahead of Illinois Primary

KFVS12 (March 12) reports Bailey is making a southern Illinois campaign stop in Metropolis ahead of the March 17 primary, facing three other Republicans. Focuses on pocketbook issues rather than the social conservatism that defined his 2022 campaign.

U.S. House (IL-08)

NYT profiles Bean's primary win as a victory for moderate Democrats in a Chicago-area district, noting she defeated a left-wing rival in the primary race for the seat vacated by Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. Bean is likely heading back to Congress after a 16-year absence.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Lynn Sweet's post-primary analysis notes the IL-08 race featured one of the most contentious AIPAC vs. progressive battles in the state. Conyears-Ervin, who ran on a platform of full ACA coverage, progressive taxation, and ending military aid to Israel, was outspent by Bean's massive AIPAC-linked super PAC operation. The piece frames her loss as part of a statewide pattern where anti-Trump messaging was not enough to overcome funding disparities.

Governor of Illinois

364,443 Illinoisans fled to other states from April 2020 through June 2023

U.S. Census Bureau data released December 19, 2023 showed Illinois lost 263,780 net residents from April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023. The entire decline was driven by domestic out-migration: 364,443 Illinoisans moved to other states during that period. Illinois marked its 10th consecutive year of population decline in 2023. Births outpaced deaths and international migration was positive, meaning tax/cost environment — not demographics — was the driver of net loss.

IL Senate

Five Illinois congressional seats, Senate seat open in historic election year

WBEZ pre-primary overview (March 13) covers Stratton's final pitch, including her viral 'f*** Trump' advertisement and surge in advertising in the final weeks.

IL Senate

Illinois primary to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin includes Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton among the Democrats running.

Assessor

Tribune post-primary analysis of $30M+ in outside spending. Crypto-industry PAC spent $10M against Stratton in the Senate race but failed. The Cook County Assessor race saw significant outside money back Kaegi (Tribune editorial board endorsed him) while Hynes, backed by the Cook County Democratic Party, prevailed decisively.

Assessor

Pat Hynes (Lyons Township Assessor) challenges incumbent Fritz Kaegi in Democratic primary over property tax chaos claims; winner faces Libertarian Nico Tsatsoulis in November.

IL Senate

A historic Senate opening meets a divided Illinois Democratic Party

Politico notes the crypto PAC strategy benefits Krishnamoorthi: one PAC attacks Stratton while another promotes Kelly to split votes — a coordinated outside effort Krishnamoorthi benefits from but cannot legally coordinate with.

IL Comptroller

Tribune reports Croke officially secured the Democratic comptroller nomination. Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, who had Comptroller Mendoza's endorsement, finished third with 24.4% of the vote — a significant setback for Kim despite high-profile backing. Kim conceded late Tuesday night.

Board President

WBEZ comprehensive March 17 primary preview covers all key races including Cook County Board President (Preckwinkle vs. Reilly), Cook County Assessor (Kaegi vs. Hynes), U.S. Senate, governor, and comptroller.

IL Secretary of State

Politico Illinois Playbook reports a scoop: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has logged a stunning $9 million in campaign contributions — an extraordinary amount for an uncontested statewide incumbent — fueling growing talk that he is laying the groundwork to run for mayor of Chicago in 2027. Giannoulias faces no Democratic primary opponent and is a heavy November general election favorite against Republican Diane Harris.

Governor of Illinois

Day-before-primary overview (March 14) of all key Illinois races. Covers JB Pritzker's uncontested Democratic primary for governor and Republican primary field of Bailey, Dabrowski, Heidner, and Mendrick. Also covers Senate race and comptroller.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Mayor Johnson introduced a $54.7M property tax incentive for the 1901 Project/United Center development — a policy signal about how large commercial interests intersect with local politics. Bean, who won IL-08 as a moderate Democrat, has a background in private finance and will need to stake out a position on economic development tax breaks as she campaigns for the general election.

U.S. House (IL-08)

The Intercept's post-primary investigation into AIPAC spending in Illinois notes Melissa Conyears-Ervin's race for IL-07: AIPAC spent ~$5M backing her against La Shawn Ford in the House race, while simultaneously spending $4M on Melissa Bean in IL-08. Conyears-Ervin's loss — despite $5M in outside support — is cited as a case study in the limits of PAC spending against a candidate with strong grassroots support and a well-organized union/progressive base. Ford won the crowded 13-candidate field with ~28% of the vote.

Governor of Illinois

Boeing, Caterpillar, and Citadel all left Illinois in summer 2022

All three major Illinois corporate anchors announced headquarters departures within weeks of each other in 2022: Boeing announced in May 2022 it would move from Chicago to the Arlington, Virginia area to be closer to federal regulators; Caterpillar announced in June 2022 it was moving its HQ from Deerfield, IL to Irving, Texas; Citadel announced June 23, 2022 it was moving from Chicago to Miami, with founder Ken Griffin citing a better corporate environment and after colleagues were 'mugged at gunpoint' and 'stabbed on the way to work.' The Tax Foundation found Illinois' business climate declined 10 spots in the prior five years — the only Midwestern state to drop — after Pritzker imposed $650 million in new taxes on businesses during pandemic recovery.

IL Senate

Chicago Tribune's final-weekend dispatch covers candidates canvassing the South Side Irish Parade, Black churches, and local rallies on the eve of the March 17 primary. Preckwinkle, Reilly, Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton all named; the piece emphasizes how tens of millions in out-of-state PAC money (pro-Israel AIPAC, crypto, AI interests) have nationalized what were traditionally local races.

IL Senate

Robin Kelly, a congresswoman from Chicagoland, has been endorsed by Cory Booker and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot; offers alternative in a race defined by Krishnamoorthi fundraising vs. Stratton establishment backing.

Assessor

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi conceded defeat to Pat Hynes on election night, a one-time employee of Kaegi's own office. Hynes's win ends Kaegi's eight-year tenure at the assessor's office. No Republican filed for the assessor seat, making Hynes the likely next Cook County Assessor.

Assessor

Two-term Assessor Fritz Kaegi faces a challenge from Pat Hynes in the Democratic primary.

IL Senate

Five Illinois congressional seats, Senate seat open in historic election year

WBEZ (March 13) pre-primary overview. Notes Krishnamoorthi immediately launched his Senate campaign after Durbin's retirement announcement and has been a prolific fundraiser throughout the race.

IL Comptroller

Post-primary Sun-Times analysis by Lynn Sweet frames the comptroller primary as a race where Kim — endorsed by outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza — was outspent by both Croke ($1.8M, backed by Pritzker and Michael Sacks) and Villa ($1.4M, backed by CTU). Kim received 24.4% of the vote, finishing third. The broader piece frames Illinois Democratic primaries as nationalized, cash-dominated contests where established endorsements (like Mendoza's for Kim) carried less weight than billionaire and institutional money.

Board President

Chicago Tribune's final-weekend dispatch covers candidates canvassing the South Side Irish Parade, Black churches, and local rallies on the eve of the March 17 primary. Preckwinkle, Reilly, Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton all named; the piece emphasizes how tens of millions in out-of-state PAC money (pro-Israel AIPAC, crypto, AI interests) have nationalized what were traditionally local races.

IL Secretary of State

The Illinois House passed Senate Bill 1486, a consumer protection measure led by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to reform the state's auto insurance industry. The bill requires insurers to provide at least 60 days' notice before raising renewal premiums by more than 10%, expands prohibitions on discriminatory rate-setting, and gives the Illinois Department of Insurance greater authority to review rate filings. The legislation stems from Giannoulias' statewide 'Driving Change' campaign highlighting how insurers use socioeconomic factors like credit scores and ZIP codes to set rates that disproportionately impact seniors and working families.

Governor of Illinois

Tribune final-weekend dispatch describes the four-way GOP governor's primary: Bailey (downstate farmer, lost to Pritzker by 13 points in 2022), Dabrowski, Heidner, and Mendrick. Bailey is focusing on pocketbook issues over the social hot-buttons that defined his 2022 run.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Illinois House advanced a bill to prohibit new ICE detention centers near residential areas — directly targeting the Broadview ICE facility that is geographically in IL-08's vicinity. Bean, now the Democratic nominee, has not yet staked out a clear public position on ICE abolition vs. reform, unlike Stratton. The bill's advancement may force her to take a stance that shapes her general election appeal in the suburban district.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Rich Miller's column on spending upsets: La Shawn Ford's win over AIPAC-backed Melissa Conyears-Ervin in the IL-07 Democratic primary is highlighted as one of the night's most striking outcomes. Despite $5M in Conyears-Ervin's corner, Ford won with strong support from Black voters on the West Side, progressive activists and union workers. Miller frames Ford's win as a rebuke of AIPAC's local strategy and a reminder that grassroots organizing can overcome super PAC money in heavily Democratic urban primaries.

Governor of Illinois

Pritzker blind trust companies received $20 billion in state contracts since he …

Pritzker's blind trust of investments includes 12 different companies that collectively obtained more than $20 billion in state contracts since he took office in January 2019. Critics argue the blind trust structure does not fully eliminate conflicts of interest when the governor oversees state procurement that benefits entities in which he maintains financial interests.

IL Senate

Tribune's definitive pre-primary Senate analysis: the contest has narrowed to Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton. The race is framed as a test of Gov. Pritzker's political power through his backing of Stratton, his two-term running mate. Notes the cascade of outside PAC money since Durbin's retirement announcement and the role of Trump's second term (immigration raids, Iran war, federal funding threats) as the backdrop.

IL Senate

Rep. Robin Kelly is running third in the Illinois Democratic Senate primary with 20.3% of the vote (138,922 votes) at 54% counted, behind Stratton's 39% and Krishnamoorthi's 32.6%. Kelly is leading in Kankakee County (+7), which falls within her congressional district, but she is trailing badly statewide with the large Cook County vote breaking heavily for Stratton.

Assessor

Post-primary analysis shows Kaegi lost worst in precincts hit hardest by rising property taxes, as homeowners blamed the assessor's office for assessment methodology that drove up tax bills. His strongest support came from precincts with lower tax bill increases. The analysis affirms that property tax frustration was the decisive factor in his defeat.

Assessor

Election Night results are incoming for the Cook County Assessor Democratic primary. Challenger Pat Hynes (Lyons Township assessor, 20-year Cook County appraiser) faces two-term incumbent Fritz Kaegi. Hynes has campaigned on fixing skyrocketing South and West Side property tax bills he attributes to Kaegi's commercial reassessment policies. No Republican is running, so tonight's winner takes the office.

IL Senate

Illinois' $50 million primary experiment

Axios (March 13) frames the Illinois Senate primary as a test of whether the best-funded candidate wins. Krishnamoorthi is hoping to replicate the Texas model where a well-funded Democrat prevailed. Total outside spending in the race has exceeded $50M.

IL Comptroller

Rich Miller's post-primary column on winners who outspent expectations includes analysis of the comptroller primary. Holly Kim, the incumbent, lost to State Rep. Margaret Croke despite Kim's incumbency advantage, as the Cook County Democratic Party slate backed Croke and Pritzker-aligned forces mobilized against Kim. The column frames Kim's loss as part of a broader pattern of machine-organized Democrats displacing reformers across the March 17 ballot.

Board President

Sun-Times watchdog report on developer Scott Goodman's $1M in unpaid CTA rent also reveals he made a $1,032 campaign contribution to Preckwinkle this month, as she is in a tight primary against Ald. Reilly. Raises questions about the campaign's donor vetting.

IL Secretary of State

Sun-Times post-primary analysis by Lynn Sweet notes Giannoulias is among the Democratic nominees now turning their anti-Trump primary messaging toward the November general election. The piece cautions that without actual congressional power, Democrats must translate campaign slogans into concrete opposition strategies. Giannoulias, as Secretary of State, is in a lower-stakes race with no prominent Republican challenger, making his path to re-election straightforward.

Governor of Illinois

Tribune day-before guide covers the four-way Republican governor's primary. Notes Bailey as the downstate farmer and former state lawmaker who won the 2022 GOP primary but lost to Pritzker by nearly 13 points — now running again with a pocketbook-focused message.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Lynn Sweet post-primary column frames the challenge for Melissa Bean heading into November. Bean won the IL-08 primary on a moderate pragmatism platform, but Sweet notes that Illinois Democrats — including Bean — will need to articulate more than anti-Trump messaging to win the general election. Bean faces Jennifer Davis (R) in November for the seat.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Young voter turnout in Chicago rose to ~85,000 voters ages 17–34, up from ~62,000 in 2022. As Chicago City Treasurer and IL-08 Democratic primary candidate who lost to Melissa Bean, Conyears-Ervin's campaign relied heavily on Chicago-based progressive voters. The youth turnout surge suggests growing engagement in the progressive lane she competed in.

Governor of Illinois

SAFE-T Act opponents cited murder defendants released on electronic monitoring p…

After cash bail was eliminated September 18, 2023 under the SAFE-T Act (HB 3653), critics including Republican state's attorneys argued defendants charged with serious crimes including murder were being released on electronic monitoring rather than detained. The law allows detention only when a judge determines a defendant poses 'a specific, real and present threat to a person' or has a 'high likelihood of willful flight.' The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the law 5-2 on July 18, 2023 with Republican justices dissenting. Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, who supported the law, called the Supreme Court ruling 'a monumental milestone toward achieving equal justice.'

IL Senate

WBEZ In The Loop interview with Stratton as she closes out the Senate campaign. NYT analysis showed all three leading candidates in a tight race as Stratton appeared to be gaining momentum in final weeks.

IL Senate

Stratton wins with ~39.7%, Krishnamoorthi conceded at about 9:30 p.m. Robin Kelly came in third at ~18.4%. In her concession remarks, Kelly bemoaned the big spending that dominates high-profile races, saying it discourages 'good people' from running for or remaining in public office.

Assessor

WBEZ analysis mirrors Sun-Times findings: Kaegi's primary loss was geographically driven by property tax angst — he performed worst in areas of Cook County where homeowners faced the steepest tax increases. Hynes, as Lyons Township Assessor, benefited from comparison as a local official closer to suburban homeowner frustrations.

Assessor

Pat Hynes defeats incumbent Fritz Kaegi in the Democratic primary for Cook County Assessor, winning the nomination to succeed Kaegi in November. Hynes ran on a platform of assessor transparency and reforming the property tax system's troubled Tyler Technologies rollout.

IL Senate

Illinois Senate primary: Is Raja Krishnamoorthi leading in the polls?

PJ Star (March 12) reviews available polling. The NYT's aggregate shows Krishnamoorthi with a large lead in the only select poll (Emerson/WGN, early January), but notes polling has been sparse and the race is far more dynamic now that Stratton has surged in recent weeks.

IL Comptroller

Post-primary Tribune analysis of Illinois outside spending confirms Holly Kim's loss to Margaret Croke in the comptroller primary. Kim was outspent and failed to secure key party organization backing. Croke now faces the Republican nominee in the November general election. Kim's path to any future office will require rebuilding name recognition and donor base after being unseated from the comptroller's office.

IL Attorney General

Trump lawsuits stretching AG office budget

By February 2025, Raoul acknowledged joining at least four multistate Trump lawsuits within three weeks of the second inauguration, openly telling Capitol News Illinois the volume 'is stretching the resources of his office' and that he wanted to add attorneys but declined to request emergency legislative funding citing the state's $3B+ deficit. Critics note this signals a potential capacity gap in non-federal enforcement work.

IL Treasurer

Running effectively unopposed — no major-party challenger for fourth term

No Republican candidate filed for the 2026 Illinois Treasurer race, making it the first time in over 90 years a major party failed to file for a statewide Illinois office. Frerichs also considered running for U.S. Senate (to replace Dick Durbin) before choosing the uncontested Treasurer race. Running without meaningful opposition reduces public accountability for a $60 billion portfolio.

Board President

Politico's pre-primary deep-dive notes Preckwinkle lent advisers from her political operation to Krishnamoorthi's Senate campaign — a move read by insiders as a subtle vote of confidence for Krishnamoorthi over Stratton.

IL Secretary of State

Rich Miller's post-primary column notes that Alexi Giannoulias ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for Secretary of State, positioning himself as a general election incumbent facing Republican Diane Harris in November. Giannoulias avoided primary spending and enters the general election with a financial advantage and high name recognition from his 2010 U.S. Senate run.

Governor of Illinois

WBEZ comprehensive primary preview confirms Darren Bailey is running in the four-way GOP governor's primary alongside Dabrowski, Heidner, and Mendrick, all competing for the right to face incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker in the November general.

U.S. House (IL-08)

The killing of 18-year-old Loyola student Sheridan Gorman by a Venezuelan immigrant suspect puts the immigration debate front-and-center just as Melissa Bean prepares for her general election campaign in IL-08. Bean ran as a pragmatist on immigration — neither abolitionist on ICE nor hawkish — and will need to navigate the charged politics of the Gorman case in her northwest suburban district.

U.S. House (IL-08)

The killing of Loyola student Sheridan Gorman by a Venezuelan immigrant suspect places Chicago sanctuary policy back in the national spotlight weeks after the IL-08 primary. Conyears-Ervin, who ran on the most progressive immigration platform in IL-08 including ICE abolition, now faces questions about how the Gorman case could affect the November general election she did not qualify for. Darren Bailey called on Pritzker to end sanctuary policies.

Governor of Illinois

Pritzker office broke silence on murder of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman (18), allegedly killed by Venezuelan national Jose Medina-Medina (25). Pritzker statement called for accountability 'to the fullest extent of state and federal law' and avoided Trump's politicization of the case amid mass deportation operations. Medina hospitalized with TB, missed court hearing, remains in custody pending Friday hearing.

IL Senate

Final debate before the March 17 primary. Stratton and Krishnamoorthi clashed over financial backers; Stratton pressed Krishnamoorthi on whether corporate and pro-Israel PAC money would compromise his independence from Trump.

IL Senate

Stratton wins the Illinois Democratic Senate primary. Robin Kelly, who ran on a platform opposing outsized donor influence, placed third and conceded Tuesday night. The race was widely seen as a test of progressive messaging on immigration and ICE amid Trump's Operation Midway Blitz.

Assessor

Sun-Times Watchdogs investigation reveals Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget director Annette Guzman received illegal homeowner property tax exemptions for five years on a South Loop condo she no longer lived in — breaks administered by Kaegi's office, which also employed Guzman as chief administrative officer until 2020. Kaegi's staff failed to process Guzman's 2021 request to cancel the exemption, resulting in $3,434 in wrongful tax breaks. After Sun-Times inquiries, Kaegi ordered Guzman to repay only three years' worth ($2,071.89) and waived interest — an outcome critics say underscores the lax oversight that plagued Kaegi's assessor tenure in its final stretch.

Assessor

NYT morning-after primary takeaways includes the upset of Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi by challenger Pat Hynes as one of the notable results of the March 17 primary elections.

IL Senate

Chicago Tribune's final-weekend dispatch covers candidates canvassing the South Side Irish Parade, Black churches, and local rallies on the eve of the March 17 primary. Preckwinkle, Reilly, Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton all named; the piece emphasizes how tens of millions in out-of-state PAC money (pro-Israel AIPAC, crypto, AI interests) have nationalized what were traditionally local races.

IL Comptroller

An Illinois House committee advanced legislation barring new ICE detention facilities from residential neighborhoods. As Cook County Clerk-elect (won uncontested Democratic primary), Holly Kim oversees the election infrastructure that processed March 17 primary results. The legislation is the dominant Cook County post-primary policy story and directly involves her county constituency.

IL Attorney General

SAFE-T Act defense amid public safety criticism

Raoul publicly defended the SAFE-T Act (which eliminated cash bail in Illinois), which generated significant backlash from law enforcement groups and state's attorneys who argued it endangered public safety. Raoul's office filed legal defenses of the law while critics noted it complicated relationships with local prosecutors his office relies on for enforcement cooperation.

IL Treasurer

Refusal to divest from Israel bonds despite protest pressure

In September 2025, approximately 50 protesters organized by Boycott Divestment Sanctions-Chicago rallied outside Frerichs' Chicago office demanding divestment from Israel bonds. Days earlier, his North Side home was defaced with paint by a group hours after a protest outside a fundraiser. Frerichs defended the holdings, stating Israel Bonds 'have been stable investments that have generated among the highest returns in the state portfolio' and that Israel has never defaulted in 70+ years. BDS activists dispute that returns justify the holdings given humanitarian concerns.

Board President

Tribune election-eve dispatch confirms cold weather will greet Illinois primary voters on March 17. Covers all major races: open U.S. Senate (Krishnamoorthi/Kelly/Stratton), Cook County Board President (Preckwinkle vs. Reilly), and governor. Pritzker and Stratton campaign signs featured in photo from final day of early voting. Notes early voting trends ahead of Election Day turnout.

IL Secretary of State

The Illinois House passed Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias' auto insurance reform legislation, which previously cleared the Senate. The bill updates minimum liability coverage requirements for the first time in decades, requiring drivers to carry higher minimums to better protect accident victims. Giannoulias framed the bill as a consumer protection measure, noting Illinois' current $20,000/$40,000 minimums are woefully inadequate given modern medical costs. The legislation is expected to be signed by Gov. Pritzker.

Governor of Illinois

AP Decision Notes preview of the March 17 Illinois primary. Senate race: Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, and Stratton (Pritzker-endorsed) top the Democratic field; Krishnamoorthi leads in fundraising with ~$6.6M cash on hand. Pritzker is unopposed for Democratic governor renomination. Republican governor field includes multiple challengers trying to prevent Pritzker's third term.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Rich Miller's post-primary turnout analysis is a positive signal for Bean's IL-08 general election bid. Democratic turnout surged across DuPage (+45%), Lake (+27%), and Will counties — all relevant to the suburban/exurban IL-08 district stretching from northwest Chicago through Elgin and Geneva. Republican turnout collapsed in these same geographies. Bean faces Republican Jennifer Davis in November in a district Miller's data suggests is increasingly blue-leaning.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Rich Miller's post-primary analysis covers the suburban Cook County Democratic surge. Conyears-Ervin lost the IL-08 Democratic primary to Melissa Bean, partly because the AIPAC-backed super PAC Elect Chicago Women spent $3.9M for Bean in the northwest suburban district — a geography where the Miller column shows Democratic turnout surged dramatically, ultimately benefiting Bean over Conyears-Ervin's Chicago-heavy base.

Governor of Illinois

Pritzker office statement on Loyola student Sheridan Gorman murder case involving Venezuelan migrant. Pritzker criticized Trump for using the case to justify mass deportations and 'Operation Midway Blitz' immigration enforcement, while calling for justice and accountability through proper legal channels.

IL Senate

Sun-Times reports pro-Krishnamoorthi super PAC forces are boosting Robin Kelly with ads designed to drain votes from Stratton, who appeared to be gaining momentum. The strategy underscores the intensifying three-way dynamic with one week left.

IL Senate

NYT morning-after analysis of the Illinois primary. Robin Kelly placed a distant third in the Senate race despite running on a strong progressive record. The race was dominated by Stratton's late surge powered by Pritzker money and anti-ICE messaging.

Assessor

Mayor Johnson introduced a $54.7M property tax incentive for the 1901 Project/United Center development — spotlighting the assessment system Kaegi ran for eight years. The deal involves exactly the type of commercial property tax break that critics said Kaegi mishandled under his equalization model. Coming just days after his primary loss, the proposal is a reminder of the contested territory he navigated during his tenure.

Assessor

Post-primary Cook County overview covering Pat Hynes defeating incumbent Fritz Kaegi for assessor, among other Cook County results.

IL Senate

Tribune's definitive pre-primary Senate analysis: the contest has narrowed to Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton. The race is framed as a test of Gov. Pritzker's political power through his backing of Stratton, his two-term running mate. Notes the cascade of outside PAC money since Durbin's retirement announcement and the role of Trump's second term (immigration raids, Iran war, federal funding threats) as the backdrop.

IL Comptroller

About 85,000 Chicago voters ages 17–34 voted in Tuesday's midterm primary — up from 62,000 in the 2022 primary, a 37% increase. As incoming Cook County Clerk responsible for administering elections, Holly Kim inherits an energized electorate with high youth participation. The trend is a positive signal for her general election prospects and for her office's outreach goals.

IL Treasurer

Considered Senate run before choosing uncontested Treasurer race

Frerichs publicly contemplated running for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Dick Durbin before announcing in May 2025 he would seek a fourth Treasurer term instead. The decision to choose a guaranteed win over a contested Senate primary raises questions about electoral ambition vs. public service commitment.

Board President

Election Day coverage of the Cook County Board President Democratic primary. Preckwinkle faces Ald. Brendan Reilly in a heated race over property tax system delays, budget management, and Cook County's fiscal future. Running for her fifth four-year term — which would equal George Dunne's tenure as the board's longest-serving leader.

IL Secretary of State

Gov. Pritzker's Gridiron Club speech and post-primary political positioning is relevant to Giannoulias as IL Secretary of State — Pritzker is the dominant force in Illinois Democratic politics and his priorities (transit funding, immigrant protection, 2028 presidential aspirations) directly shape the legislative and political environment Giannoulias operates in as a statewide officer.

Governor of Illinois

STLPR election-eve preview notes Bailey is the frontrunner in the four-way GOP governor's primary, but questions whether DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick — who has broader suburban Chicago appeal — can upset him. GOP voters must decide whether electability or ideology matters more. Pritzker is running uncontested on the Democratic side.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Illinois House Democrats advanced a bill banning new ICE detention centers near homes, schools, and parks. The legislation is a key litmus test for IL-08's November general election — Bean faces Republican Jennifer Davis in a district where immigration enforcement has been a central voter concern following Operation Midway Blitz.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Melissa Bean won the IL-08 Democratic primary with heavy AIPAC support, defeating several progressive challengers. Bean's general election win would not directly affect the IL-07 race where Conyears-Ervin is running.

Governor of Illinois

Day-before-primary overview (March 14) of all key Illinois races. Covers JB Pritzker's uncontested Democratic primary for governor and Republican primary field of Bailey, Dabrowski, Heidner, and Mendrick. Also covers Senate race and comptroller.

IL Senate

AP Decision Notes preview of the March 17 Illinois primary. Senate race: Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, and Stratton (Pritzker-endorsed) top the Democratic field; Krishnamoorthi leads in fundraising with ~$6.6M cash on hand. Pritzker is unopposed for Democratic governor renomination. Republican governor field includes multiple challengers trying to prevent Pritzker's third term.

IL Senate

The Guardian covers Juliana Stratton's primary victory over Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi. Rep. Kelly, who finished third with 18.4% of the vote, was recognized as a strong early contender who was ultimately outspent in the final weeks of the race.

Assessor

Rich Miller's post-primary turnout analysis published the same week as Kaegi's concession to Pat Hynes. The piece is not specifically about the assessor race but contextualizes the broader Democratic primary wave that nevertheless ousted Kaegi. Miller notes incumbents in county-level races were not immune to challenger upsets even amid high Dem turnout — Kaegi's loss is one of the notable examples.

Assessor

WBEZ post-primary analysis of outside spending. Pat Hynes, who won the Cook County Assessor Democratic primary over incumbent Fritz Kaegi, benefited from the Cook County Democratic Party's slate support. The assessor race was notable as the only contested countywide Democratic race with no Republican challenger — making Hynes's primary win tantamount to election.

IL Senate

The three Democratic Senate candidates held their final pre-primary debate. Krishnamoorthi and Stratton continued tussling over financial backers — specifically whether corporate and pro-Israel PAC money would compromise their ability to stand up to Trump.

IL Comptroller

Rich Miller's post-primary analysis shows Democratic turnout in Lake County — Kim's political home base as Lake County Treasurer — rose 27% vs. 2022. However, Kim lost the Democratic Comptroller primary to Rep. Margaret Croke. The broader Democratic surge in the suburbs contextualizes a primary environment where turnout was high but Kim could not translate her Lake County identity into a statewide plurality.

Board President

Four-term incumbent Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle faces challenger Ald. Brendan Reilly in today's Democratic primary for a fifth term.

IL Secretary of State

An Illinois House committee advanced legislation barring new ICE detention centers from residential neighborhoods — part of a broader wave of Illinois state immigration bills in the post-Midway Blitz political environment. As Secretary of State, Giannoulias oversees driver's license policy, voter registration, and other state functions that intersect with immigrant communities.

Governor of Illinois

Voter guide covering Bailey's Republican gubernatorial primary. Bailey previously lost to Pritzker 42-55% as the 2022 GOP nominee; now seeking the party's nod again against Aaron B. Del Mar and others.

U.S. House (IL-08)

AIPAC saw mixed results in Illinois primaries: backed two victors including Bean in IL-08, but failed in the two districts where it spent the most. Group now faces calls to recalibrate its strategy.

U.S. House (IL-08)

CBC Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke issued a terse statement congratulating Juliana Stratton on her Senate primary win, while prominently praising Robin Kelly and implying intraparty tensions remain unresolved going into the general election.

Governor of Illinois

Tribune's definitive pre-primary Senate analysis: the contest has narrowed to Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton. The race is framed as a test of Gov. Pritzker's political power through his backing of Stratton, his two-term running mate. Notes the cascade of outside PAC money since Durbin's retirement announcement and the role of Trump's second term (immigration raids, Iran war, federal funding threats) as the backdrop.

IL Senate

Election-eve preview from STLPR covering Illinois primary watchpoints. Senate race (Kelly/Krishnamoorthi/Stratton) is top race; candidates have diverged on minimum wage ($25/hr Stratton vs. $17/hr Kelly and Krishnamoorthi). Race has been contentious over MAGA-aligned and corporate donor accusations between Krishnamoorthi and Stratton.

IL Senate

Rep. Robin Kelly conceded in the Democratic race for the Illinois U.S. Senate seat, as Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic primary over Kelly and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. Kelly had criticized Gov. Pritzker's involvement in the race, arguing a sitting governor should not interfere.

Assessor

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas released a study showing property taxes grew 182% over 30 years — twice the rate of inflation. The findings put fresh scrutiny on the Cook County assessment system overseen by Assessor Kaegi, a key issue in his reelection race.

Assessor

Hynes speaks to WTTW after winning the Democratic primary over incumbent Fritz Kaegi, discussing his plans for the assessor's office, property tax predictability, and addressing the 'robust' tax burden in Illinois.

IL Senate

WBEZ In The Loop interview with Krishnamoorthi as he makes his closing argument for the Senate seat. NYT analysis at the time showed all three candidates (Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, Stratton) in a tight three-way race.

IL Comptroller

As Lake County Treasurer and now a Democrat without a statewide office (having lost the Comptroller primary), Kim will watch the 41-day DHS standoff and Trump's executive action to fund TSA from outside elected office. The DHS/ICE crisis — with agents at O'Hare — was a driving issue for suburban Democrats in the March primary in Lake County, Kim's home base.

Board President

As of 9:11 PM ET with the majority of Cook County votes counted, Toni Preckwinkle is winning the Democratic primary for Cook County Board President with 67.8% (359,432 votes) to challenger Ald. Brendan Reilly's 32.2% (170,800 votes). Preckwinkle is on track to win her fifth four-year term, which would tie George Dunne as the board's longest-serving president.

IL Secretary of State

Rich Miller's post-primary analysis confirms a strong Democratic environment in Illinois ahead of November. Giannoulias ran unopposed in the Democratic Secretary of State primary and faces only token GOP opposition in November. The broad Democratic turnout surge across suburban collar counties reinforces his path to a second term as Secretary of State.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois Republicans decide whether to run back Darren Bailey (who lost to Pritzker in 2022) or send a new challenger to face Pritzker in November.

U.S. House (IL-08)

CBC Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke issued a terse statement congratulating Juliana Stratton on her Senate primary win, while prominently praising Robin Kelly and implying intraparty tensions remain unresolved going into the general election.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the IL Democratic Senate primary over Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, boosted by heavy outside spending from Gov. Pritzker. She is now the frontrunner to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin and would become the sixth Black woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate.

Governor of Illinois

Chicago Tribune's final-weekend dispatch covers candidates canvassing the South Side Irish Parade, Black churches, and local rallies on the eve of the March 17 primary. Preckwinkle, Reilly, Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton all named; the piece emphasizes how tens of millions in out-of-state PAC money (pro-Israel AIPAC, crypto, AI interests) have nationalized what were traditionally local races.

IL Senate

Tribune election-eve dispatch from March 16 covers the final day before the primary. Pritzker and Stratton campaign signs are shown together outside early voting sites, underscoring the governor's active campaigning for his Lt. Governor's Senate bid. Cold weather forecast for the Chicago area may affect turnout.

IL Senate

Breaking March 19 story: CBC Chair Yvette Clarke lashed out at Pritzker, saying she was 'beyond frustrated' with the governor for 'tipping the scales' by funneling $5M from his super PAC to boost Stratton over Krishnamoorthi — the CBC's preferred candidate. Kelly had conceded the night before. The story raises questions about whether the Pritzker-CBC rift will affect party unity heading into the November general election, and about Pritzker's 2028 presidential ambitions.

Assessor

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

Assessor

Real estate analysis of Hynes win: argues it could stabilize the Chicago commercial property tax environment, noting Hynes may close the $444M gap in missing assessed value from new construction and that residential burden could ease.

IL Senate

AP Decision Notes preview of the March 17 Illinois primary. Senate race: Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, and Stratton (Pritzker-endorsed) top the Democratic field; Krishnamoorthi leads in fundraising with ~$6.6M cash on hand. Pritzker is unopposed for Democratic governor renomination. Republican governor field includes multiple challengers trying to prevent Pritzker's third term.

IL Comptroller

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

Board President

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi conceded to challenger Pat Hynes in the race for the Democratic nomination, while Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle declared victory against challenger Ald. Brendan Reilly in Tuesday's primary.

IL Secretary of State

The DHS funding standoff has placed ICE agents at Illinois airports including O'Hare. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has been an advocate for immigrant access to state IDs and driver's licenses — immigration enforcement proximity at airports highlights the ongoing policy tension between federal enforcement and state-level services his office administers.

Governor of Illinois

Darren Bailey, a former state senator who lost to Pritzker in 2022, is among Republicans seeking the GOP gubernatorial nomination again.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the IL Democratic Senate primary over Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, boosted by heavy outside spending from Gov. Pritzker. She is now the frontrunner to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin and would become the sixth Black woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Gov. JB Pritzker emerged as the kingmaker in deep-blue Illinois after pouring millions to elect Stratton in the Senate primary. The win strengthens his standing as he campaigns for a third term and eyes a 2028 presidential run.

Governor of Illinois

Tribune day-before-primary guide covers all major March 17 contests including the gubernatorial Republican primary — a key test of whether Pritzker will face Bailey (who he helped boost in 2022) or a stronger GOP opponent in the general.

IL Senate

NYT Election Day guide names Stratton as a top-tier contender in the IL Senate primary. Late polling shows her surging to 29.4% vs Krishnamoorthi's 31.6% — within the margin of error, making the race a genuine toss-up.

IL Senate

Capitol News Illinois post-primary analysis details Stratton's Senate primary win. Robin Kelly finished third with roughly 18% of the vote. The race was notable for concerns about Kelly potentially splitting the Black vote with Stratton, with some strategists later arguing Kelly's presence may have slightly complicated Stratton's coalition-building.

Assessor

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.

Assessor

Tribune post-primary analysis of $30M+ in outside spending. Crypto-industry PAC spent $10M against Stratton in the Senate race but failed. The Cook County Assessor race saw significant outside money back Kaegi (Tribune editorial board endorsed him) while Hynes, backed by the Cook County Democratic Party, prevailed decisively.

IL Senate

Election-eve preview from STLPR covering Illinois primary watchpoints. Senate race (Kelly/Krishnamoorthi/Stratton) is top race; candidates have diverged on minimum wage ($25/hr Stratton vs. $17/hr Kelly and Krishnamoorthi). Race has been contentious over MAGA-aligned and corporate donor accusations between Krishnamoorthi and Stratton.

IL Comptroller

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.

Board President

Chicago Sun-Times live election results coverage includes Preckwinkle's primary victory over Ald. Reilly, with staff celebrating at Little Black Pearl in Chicago.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

Governor of Illinois

Former state Sen. Darren Bailey — who lost to Gov. Pritzker by 11 points in the 2022 general election — is competing in the Republican gubernatorial primary on March 17. Four Republican candidates are on the ballot looking to thwart Pritzker's bid for a rare third term. Pritzker ran unopposed on the Democratic side and addressed supporters after polls closed, vowing to fight Trump's agenda.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Gov. JB Pritzker emerged as the kingmaker in deep-blue Illinois after pouring millions to elect Stratton in the Senate primary. The win strengthens his standing as he campaigns for a third term and eyes a 2028 presidential run.

U.S. House (IL-08)

CBC members directed anger at Gov. Pritzker after his financial support for Stratton defeated CBC-backed Robin Kelly. Leaders warned Pritzker will need to justify his interference if he runs for president in 2028.

Governor of Illinois

AP Decision Notes preview of the March 17 Illinois primary. Senate race: Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, and Stratton (Pritzker-endorsed) top the Democratic field; Krishnamoorthi leads in fundraising with ~$6.6M cash on hand. Pritzker is unopposed for Democratic governor renomination. Republican governor field includes multiple challengers trying to prevent Pritzker's third term.

IL Senate

Juliana Stratton, backed by Gov. JB Pritzker and the state's political machine, faces Krishnamoorthi and Kelly in the Senate primary; stepped down as Lt. Gov. to run.

IL Senate

Tribune reports outgoing Rep. Robin Kelly's 2nd District seat — which she vacated to run for U.S. Senate — was won by Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, defeating Jesse Jackson Jr.'s comeback attempt. Notes Kelly held the seat for 13 years since a 2013 special election.

Assessor

Illinois' response to Trump's immigration crackdown — with Gov. Pritzker coordinating with Democratic governors and Mayor Brandon Johnson issuing executive orders limiting ICE's reach following Operation Midway Blitz — is being cited as a blueprint for Democratic resistance nationally.

Assessor

Pat Hynes discussed his primary victory over incumbent Fritz Kaegi in a Fox 32 interview. Hynes outlined plans to address property tax fairness, improve transparency, and implement operational changes at the assessor's office. He is the presumptive next Cook County Assessor with no Republican opponent in November.

IL Senate

Tribune election-eve dispatch (March 16) confirms the U.S. Senate primary — headlined by Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton — as the marquee race of the March 17 primary. Lists all Democratic Senate candidates including minor candidates. Cold weather forecast may affect turnout.

IL Comptroller

Illinois' response to Trump's immigration crackdown — with Gov. Pritzker coordinating with Democratic governors and Mayor Brandon Johnson issuing executive orders limiting ICE's reach following Operation Midway Blitz — is being cited as a blueprint for Democratic resistance nationally.

Board President

Axios Chicago post-primary wrap confirms Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle defeated challenger Ald. Brendan Reilly, securing her fifth term and tying George Dunne as the longest-serving Cook County Board president.

IL Secretary of State

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.

Governor of Illinois

Tribune: Bailey and running mate Aaron Del Mar celebrated the Republican gubernatorial nomination at their election night party in Springfield. In his victory speech, Bailey said Illinois has a 'leadership problem, and nowhere is that clearer than in property taxes.'

U.S. House (IL-08)

CBC members directed anger at Gov. Pritzker after his financial support for Stratton defeated CBC-backed Robin Kelly. Leaders warned Pritzker will need to justify his interference if he runs for president in 2028.

U.S. House (IL-08)

AIPAC saw mixed midterm results in Illinois: backed winners Melissa Bean (IL-08) and Donna Miller (IL-02), but faced criticism after failing in the two races where it spent the most money.

Governor of Illinois

Tribune election-eve dispatch confirms Pritzker — seeking a third term — is running uncontested in the Democratic primary. Campaign signage showing Pritzker alongside Lt. Gov. Stratton's Senate campaign was photographed at Chicago early voting sites on the last day of early voting. Cold weather forecast for March 17.

IL Senate

FairShake crypto PAC spent more than $5M on ads attacking Stratton's campaign. Christian Mitchell, Pritzker's former deputy governor, declared candidacy for Lt. Gov. after Stratton stepped aside.

IL Senate

Tribune post-primary analysis of outside money notes that Robin Kelly's Senate campaign received significantly less outside spending support than Krishnamoorthi or Stratton. Kelly finished third in the three-way race, behind Stratton and Krishnamoorthi.

Assessor

The Chicago Tribune editorial board cited Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi's primary loss to challenger Patrick Hynes as evidence that voters are punishing Illinois Democrats over property taxes. The Tribune noted Kaegi 'already has felt the public's anger, losing his Democratic primary reelection race to challenger Patrick Hynes.' The editorial frames the loss as a direct voter rebuke over property tax assessments exceeding inflation and wage growth.

Assessor

Cook County Assessor-elect Pat Hynes discusses his plans post-primary: cleaning up assessment data, better matching values to the market, and ending property tax spikes that hit homeowners. He also addresses his approach to getting builders back to work in Cook County. First major interview since his March 17 primary win over incumbent Fritz Kaegi.

IL Senate

Election Day guide highlights Krishnamoorthi's Senate primary frontrunner status. Late polling shows him at 31.6%, narrowly ahead of Stratton (29.4%). Also running in 8th District successor race per Roll Call — Melissa Bean is among 8 Democrats vying to succeed him.

IL Comptroller

Cook County Treasurer's report shows the county property tax levy has doubled inflation since 1995, hitting $19.2B in 2024. As Cook County Clerk overseeing election administration, Holly Kim's office is adjacent to the fiscal debate about how tax dollars are managed. The broader Cook County property tax crisis is context for the environment in which Kim is running her uncontested Democratic primary into November.

Board President

Fox 32 Chicago reports AP has projected Toni Preckwinkle wins the Democratic nomination for Cook County Board president, defeating Ald. Brendan Reilly. Preckwinkle will be the prohibitive favorite in the November general election in heavily Democratic Cook County.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois' response to Trump's immigration crackdown — with Gov. Pritzker coordinating with Democratic governors and Mayor Brandon Johnson issuing executive orders limiting ICE's reach following Operation Midway Blitz — is being cited as a blueprint for Democratic resistance nationally.

Governor of Illinois

Sun-Times election night wrap: 'Darren Bailey cruised to victory for the Illinois Republican nomination for governor, breezing past conservative activist Ted Dabrowski, video gambling magnate Rick Heidner and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick.'

U.S. House (IL-08)

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker, a billionaire and potential 2028 presidential candidate, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for a third term. Illinois has not elected a Republican governor since 2014.

IL Senate

Stratton among top Democratic contenders in IL US Senate primary race to succeed retiring Dick Durbin.

IL Senate

Rich Miller's post-primary column analyzes Illinois candidates who won despite being outspent. Robin Kelly's third-place Senate finish (18.4%) is discussed as a case where outside spending and incumbency factors — AIPAC backing Bean and Pritzker's machine support for Stratton — proved decisive over Kelly's grassroots coalition.

Assessor

Fritz Kaegi lost his Democratic primary reelection bid for Cook County Assessor to challenger Pat Hynes, 47.4% (296,296 votes) to 52.6% (328,143 votes), per AP results with 89.2% of estimated votes counted and 100% of precincts reporting. Kaegi's defeat ends his tenure as assessor after one term.

Assessor

The Real Deal's post-election analysis shows Pat Hynes unseated incumbent Fritz Kaegi by running strongest in parts of Cook County where property tax bills surged most, turning a technical office into a referendum on housing affordability. Chicago's median residential tax bill jumped 16.7% last year to $4,457, the third consecutive year of increases above 15%. Hynes netted nearly 5,000 more votes than Kaegi in areas of highest tax stress. The piece frames the outcome as a warning for the commercial real estate sector about the political consequences of assessment policy.

IL Senate

Roll Call Election Day analysis frames the IL-08 open seat as a direct consequence of Krishnamoorthi's Senate run. Eight Democrats competing to succeed him, including Melissa Bean, Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Kina Collins, and La Shawn Ford.

IL Comptroller

Lake County Clerk Holly Kim finished third in the Illinois Comptroller Democratic primary with 24.4% (275K votes), behind winner Margaret Croke (34.6%, 391K) and Karina Villa (32.3%, 364K). Kim led in Lake, Madison, Jackson, Williamson, Rock Island, and other scattered counties but could not match Croke's Cook County strength or Villa's collar-county support.

Board President

Cook County primary roundup: Preckwinkle won re-election as county board president while two incumbent county commissioners lost their seats to challengers.

IL Secretary of State

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas' report on skyrocketing property taxes — up 182% since 1995, twice the rate of inflation — is context for Alexi Giannoulias's uncontested Democratic path to November as Secretary of State. The report highlights state legislative failures that Giannoulias may need to address rhetorically as he campaigns statewide.

Governor of Illinois

The New York Times reports AP has called the Republican nomination for governor for Darren Bailey, a Trump-aligned former state legislator who lost the 2022 race to Pritzker 55%-42%. Bailey will get a rematch against Pritzker in the November general election.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Illinois' response to Trump's immigration crackdown — with Gov. Pritzker coordinating with Democratic governors and Mayor Brandon Johnson issuing executive orders limiting ICE's reach following Operation Midway Blitz — is being cited as a blueprint for Democratic resistance nationally.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Illinois' response to Trump's immigration crackdown — with Gov. Pritzker coordinating with Democratic governors and Mayor Brandon Johnson issuing executive orders limiting ICE's reach following Operation Midway Blitz — is being cited as a blueprint for Democratic resistance nationally.

Governor of Illinois

Primary day in Illinois; Pritzker running unopposed for Democrats on the governor ballot while facing Republican challengers Darren Bailey and Ted Dabrowski in November.

IL Senate

With 54% of Illinois Democratic primary votes counted as of 9:16 PM ET, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton leads the U.S. Senate race with 266,114 votes (39%), ahead of Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi at 32.6% and Rep. Robin Kelly at 20.3%. Stratton holds a +10 advantage in Cook County (78% in) but trails in suburban collar counties. Pritzker's $5M super PAC backing and her 9-point Cook County edge are powering her lead.

IL Senate

Rep. Robin Kelly conceded the Democratic Senate primary to Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on election night. Kelly, who had the backing of the Congressional Black Caucus, finished third behind Stratton and Krishnamoorthi. Kelly walked into her election night party to cheers from supporters and graciously ended her Senate bid.

Assessor

About 1,700 certificates of error submitted by the Cook County Board of Review to Assessor Fritz Kaegi's office are missing evidence or valid grounds for relief, a Kaegi spokesman said. The Board of Review's senior commissioner encouraged taxpayers to file the certificates amid last year's soaring bills, but the 'vast majority' are deficient. Kaegi lost to Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes in the March primary and will leave office in December.

Assessor

WBEZ post-primary analysis shows Pat Hynes' victory over Fritz Kaegi was fueled by areas of Cook County hardest hit by property tax increases. Hynes, a former Kaegi employee who served as Lyons Township Assessor, capitalized on homeowner frustration with assessment policies to oust the two-term incumbent.

IL Senate

Raja Krishnamoorthi, a moderate Democrat with a massive financial advantage, is competing against Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (machine-backed) and Rep. Robin Kelly for the IL Senate seat.

IL Comptroller

Holly Kim finished third in the Illinois Comptroller Democratic primary with 24.4% (275,560 votes), behind winner Margaret Croke (34.6%) and Karina Villa (32.3%), per AP results with 92.5% estimated votes in. Kim — Lake County Clerk and a rising Democratic star — was considered a top contender but could not overcome Croke's Chicago-base organizational advantage.

Board President

Post-primary recap noting Preckwinkle's win over Ald. Reilly, analyzing the role of outside spending and super PAC influence in shaping Cook County Democratic primary results.

IL Secretary of State

Gov. Pritzker emerged as a kingmaker in the Illinois Democratic primary after backing Lt. Gov. Stratton to a Senate win. As an uncontested Democratic Secretary of State nominee, Giannoulias shares the same Pritzker-aligned Illinois Democratic slate heading into November.

Governor of Illinois

Newsweek analyzes GOP chances of flipping the Illinois governorship after Bailey wins the Republican primary. Notes he faces heavy structural disadvantages in the deep-blue state against incumbent JB Pritzker, but some Republicans point to national anti-incumbent headwinds as a potential opportunity.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker ran uncontested in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, securing his party's nomination for a rare third term. In remarks after polls closed, Pritzker focused not on his likely Republican opponent but on President Trump, saying 'This is the fight of our lives — everything we care about is under siege from Washington right now.' In the Republican primary, former Sen. Darren Bailey and three others are competing for the right to challenge him in November.

IL Senate

Stratton wins with momentum from Gov. Pritzker's $5M PAC support and her bold anti-ICE stance, defeating Krishnamoorthi 39.7%-33.4% with Kelly at 18.4%. 'We did it tonight. We showed what's possible when you listen to the people,' Stratton said at her election night party in North Lawndale.

IL Senate

CBC leadership's measured response to Stratton's victory reflects frustration over the race's outcome — the CBC had backed Kelly and warned Gov. Pritzker to stay out. Kelly's third-place finish effectively ends her Senate ambitions and leaves her political future in Illinois uncertain.

Assessor

The Beverly Review reports that the Castle family in Morgan Park received a property tax bill that jumped 300% — from under $7,000 to nearly $24,000 — for their 114-year-old home with no major renovations. After garnering media attention, the family received a direct call from Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi. Democratic primary winner Pat Hynes also weighed in, warning that Cook County previously had an audit function to catch such errors before bills were mailed, which he says is now missing. The incident illustrates the property tax system breakdown Hynes campaigned on during his successful primary campaign to unseat Kaegi.

Assessor

Sun-Times Watchdogs investigation revealing that the assessor's office Hynes is inheriting failed to process a homeowner exemption cancellation for Mayor Johnson's budget director Annette Guzman, resulting in five years of illegal tax breaks. The story surfaces as a governance challenge for Hynes, who campaigned on cleaning up assessor office operations and fixing systemic errors that harmed Cook County homeowners. The assessor's office ordered repayment of only $2,071.89 and waived all interest — a response critics called inadequate.

IL Senate

Krishnamoorthi has built a large fundraising advantage but progressives are attacking him for accepting money from Trump allies and tech figures. FairShake crypto PAC spent $5M+ attacking Stratton.

IL Comptroller

ETHEREUM (cryptocurrency donation) — $8K

cryptocurrency donation of $8K to Holly Kim

Board President

Rich Miller's post-primary column analyzing winners who outperformed spending expectations includes context on Cook County races. Preckwinkle's decisive 68%-32% win over Ald. Reilly is cited as a case where establishment organization and incumbency overpowered a well-funded challenger.

IL Secretary of State

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias advanced through the Democratic primary uncontested. On the Republican side, Diane M. Harris won the GOP Secretary of State primary with 53.0% (276K votes) over Walter Adamczyk (47.0%). Giannoulias faces Harris in November.

Governor of Illinois

NBC Chicago post-primary roundup confirms Bailey won the Republican gubernatorial nomination and will face incumbent Gov. Pritzker in a November rematch. The result gives Illinois Republicans their nominee — but the general election against the well-funded incumbent faces a steep climb in a state where Democrats hold a structural advantage.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Melissa L. Bean won the IL-08 Democratic primary with 31.8% (21,910 votes) in a crowded field, defeating Junaid Ahmed (26.7%), Dan Tully (12.7%), and others. AP called the race. Bean won across Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties. Cook Political Report rates IL-08 Solidly Democratic, giving Bean a strong path to Congress.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Cook County Treasurer Pappas' report shows property taxes on predominantly Black South and West Side neighborhoods rose dramatically — Oakland neighborhood saw a 636% increase since 1995. As a candidate who lost the IL-07 Democratic primary after running on economic justice and community investment issues, the property tax burden on her base constituency is directly relevant to her political positioning going forward.

Governor of Illinois

Pritzker will face a rematch with Darren Bailey in November, his 2022 opponent whom he defeated by nearly 13 percentage points. AP called the race for Bailey about 90 minutes after polls closed. Bailey held 48% of the vote with 34% counted. Pritzker ran unopposed on the Democratic side.

IL Senate

Stratton's victory is framed nationally as a historic win — she will be on track to become Illinois' fourth Black senator and the sixth Black woman in the current Senate if she wins in November against Republican Don Tracy.

IL Senate

Final results confirmed Robin Kelly finished third in the 11-candidate Democratic Senate primary with less than 20% of the vote, per AP. Kelly conceded at her South Side watch party on election night. Her path was complicated by the crowded progressive lane, with Stratton drawing the Pritzker endorsement and organizational support.

Assessor

John Bodendorfer, a project manager at Oakk Construction, was sentenced to two years probation for conspiring to bribe Lavdim Memisovski, then a commercial group leader at the Cook County assessor's office. Memisovski received free home improvements and gifts in exchange for routing property tax appeals to himself and reducing assessments. The scheme, wiretapped by the FBI in 2018, is part of a larger probe that also ensnared former Ald. Carrie Austin. The case underscores entrenched corruption in the assessor's office that Kaegi has long positioned himself as reforming.

Assessor

Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced a $54.7M property tax incentive package to City Council for the 1901 Project, a $7B entertainment district surrounding the United Center. The Class 7b special assessment — approved by the Cook County Assessor's office — would give the Wirtz and Reinsdorf families a 10% property tax rate for 10 years. As incoming Cook County Assessor, Pat Hynes will inherit oversight of how such large commercial property tax abatements and classifications are administered. The case tests whether Hynes will bring the taxpayer-first approach he promised during the campaign or accommodate major commercial interests.

IL Senate

Krishnamoorthi faces criticism for accepting money from Trump allies and tech world figures as FairShake crypto super PAC spends over $5M on ads attacking Stratton's campaign.

Board President

NYT profiles Preckwinkle's primary win over moderate challenger Ald. Brendan Reilly, framing it as a decisive victory for the progressive Cook County Democratic establishment over a modernization-focused challenger. The win cements Preckwinkle's path to a fifth four-year term as Board President — a tenure that would equal George Dunne as the county's longest-serving leader.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias secured nearly $950,000 for Illinois investors as part of a $19 million multi-state settlement involving five major brokerage firms accused of charging excessive commissions on small-dollar stock trades. The action underscores Giannoulias's investor protection mandate as he heads into a November reelection contest against Republican Diane Harris.

Governor of Illinois

Tribune editorial notes Illinois Republican primary turnout collapsed — Bailey and his three rivals collectively drew fewer votes than even the historically low 2014 primary, raising questions about party viability heading into the general election.

U.S. House (IL-08)

New York Times coverage of the IL-08 primary aftermath described Melissa Bean's win as 'a triumph for big-money outside groups that spent heavily in Illinois.' Bean won the Democratic primary with 31.8% across Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties in a Solidly Democratic district. The framing sets up questions about outside-money influence ahead of the November general against Republican Jennifer Davis.

U.S. House (IL-08)

AP results for IL-08 Democratic primary show winner Melissa Bean (31.8%), Junaid Ahmed (26.7%), Dan Tully (12.7%). Melissa Conyears-Ervin did not appear in top results — either she was not a candidate on the ballot or finished further down the field. Her profile may need review against official ballot records.

Governor of Illinois

Tribune reports Bailey won the GOP gubernatorial nomination, setting up a Pritzker-Bailey rematch. Bailey defeated conservative activist Ted Dabrowski, video gambling magnate Rick Heidner and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick. In his victory speech, Bailey said Illinois has a 'leadership problem, and nowhere is that clearer than in property taxes.'

IL Senate

In her victory speech, Stratton promised Medicare for All, a $25/hour minimum wage, abolishing ICE, and to 'pull democracy back from the brink.' Guardian notes Stratton trailed in polling until recent weeks, when Pritzker cash and hardening anti-immigration sentiment powered her surge.

IL Senate

Politico's post-primary analysis frames Pritzker as Illinois' political kingmaker after his $5M+ investment in Stratton's campaign delivered victory over Kelly and Krishnamoorthi. The piece notes Pritzker 'brushed off concerns that a potential Stratton loss could tarnish his image' and touted the result as validation of his 2028 ambitions. For Kelly, the outcome is framed as a stinging loss engineered by Pritzker's checkbook — she ran a solid campaign, winning 24.74% in Chicago and 21.04% in suburban Cook, but was outfunded and out-organized by Pritzker's political operation backing Stratton.

Assessor

A Chicago Sun-Times investigation found that Annette Guzman, Mayor Brandon Johnson's city budget director, had received five years of illegal property tax breaks approved by outgoing Assessor Fritz Kaegi. Guzman agreed to pay back two remaining years of wrongful exemptions after the Sun-Times revealed the breaks. The story adds to a pattern of criticism around the assessor's oversight failures in Kaegi's final year in office.

Assessor

Rich Miller's post-primary analysis contextualizes the Democratic primary environment in which Hynes defeated incumbent Fritz Kaegi. High Democratic turnout across all major suburban Cook County areas is broadly favorable for Hynes in November — no Republican candidate has filed for Cook County Assessor, making Hynes the presumptive winner of the office.

IL Senate

With 54% of Illinois Democratic primary ballots counted, Raja Krishnamoorthi trails Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the U.S. Senate race, 32.6% to 39%. Despite dominating fundraising with $15M+ on hand entering the race and winning most suburban collar counties (Lake +16, Kane +21, Will +1.6), Krishnamoorthi's 10-point deficit in Cook County — which accounts for roughly 80% of the statewide Democratic vote — is proving decisive in early returns.

Board President

CBS Chicago reports the AP projected Preckwinkle winning the Democratic primary with 68% of the vote at 79% of ballots counted. Preckwinkle defeated Ald. Reilly to clinch the Democratic nomination and is heavily favored in the November general election in Cook County.

IL Secretary of State

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias ran uncontested in the Illinois Democratic primary and advances to the November general election against Republican Diane Harris. Giannoulias's $9M war chest and incumbency advantage make him a strong favorite in November. His office also remains active on investor protection enforcement.

Governor of Illinois

Tribune post-primary geographic breakdown of Bailey's Republican governor primary victory. The November election will feature a rematch of the 2022 general election: incumbent Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker vs. Republican challenger Darren Bailey. Bailey won with 48% of the vote in a multi-candidate field including Ted Dabrowski, Rick Heidner, and James Mendrick.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Melissa Bean won the IL-08 Democratic primary with 31.8% (21,910 votes), defeating Junaid Ahmed (26.7%) and Dan Tully (12.7%), per AP results with 97.9% estimated votes in and 100% of precincts reporting. Bean will face Republican Jennifer Davis in the November general election for this competitive northwest suburban seat.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Melissa Conyears-Ervin finished second in the redrawn IL-07 Democratic primary with 20.8% (20,241 votes), losing to La Shawn Ford (24.1%, 23,419 votes) and ahead of Anthony Driver (11.2%), per AP results with 93.9% estimated votes in and 100% of precincts reporting. Conyears-Ervin, Chicago City Treasurer, ran in IL-07 after redistricting pushed her out of IL-08.

Governor of Illinois

NYT morning-after takeaways note Pritzker's Stratton bet paid off — his $5M PAC investment helped propel Stratton to the Senate nomination, raising his national profile as a Democratic kingmaker ahead of his own potential 2028 ambitions.

IL Senate

NYT live blog tracks Stratton's victory speech in which she called to abolish ICE, alongside Republican Don Tracy winning the GOP Senate nomination. Stratton is now heavily favored in the November general election for this reliably Democratic seat.

IL Senate

Illinois House committee advanced a bill prohibiting new ICE detention centers near schools, homes, and churches — a direct response to the Broadview ICE facility within Kelly's congressional district (IL-02 borders Broadview/Maywood area). The bill is relevant to Kelly's post-primary work as outgoing IL-02 Rep (her seat was won by Donna Miller in the primary) and to her legacy on immigration accountability.

Assessor

Both candidates accuse each other of accepting questionable donations (Fox32 Feb

Both candidates accuse each other of accepting questionable donations (Fox32 Feb 2026 — mutual accusations, neither substantiated)

Assessor

Sun-Times analysis confirms property tax backlash drove Hynes' upset win — Hynes won 66% in the 24th Ward (102% tax increase), 68% in the 16th Ward (92% increase), nearly 70% in University Park (255% increase in 2023). Hynes' 35,000-vote suburban margin was decisive. 'The work ahead is about fairness and justice for those who have been harmed over the last eight years,' he said.

IL Senate

Krishnamoorthi concedes the Illinois Senate Democratic primary at his election night watch party at the Westin Hotel in River North, walking off stage after spending $29 million in campaign ads — the most in the race. Stratton led 39.7% to Krishnamoorthi's 33.4% with 85% counted.

Board President

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson sent formal requests to the Illinois congressional delegation — which includes Cook County representatives — asking for $700K in federal reimbursement for costs related to the ICE detention center that was the epicenter of Operation Midway Blitz. The request went to the same delegation Preckwinkle's Cook County has relied on for federal partnerships. The story also rekindles scrutiny of Preckwinkle's support for a data-sharing contract renewal with a company that provides information to ICE — a contradiction of her stated sanctuary values that was flagged during the primary.

IL Secretary of State

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced nearly $950,000 will be returned to Illinois investors as part of a $19 million multi-state settlement involving five major brokerage firms accused of charging unfair fees on small-dollar stock trades. The settlement is the latest consumer protection action by Giannoulias, who is running for a second term as Secretary of State unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Governor of Illinois

Darren Bailey, a former state legislator aligned with President Trump, ran up huge margins in rural downstate counties to clinch the Republican nomination. He will now face Gov. JB Pritzker in the November general election.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Following her March 17 Democratic primary win in IL-08, Melissa Bean is confirmed as the Democratic nominee attempting to win back the seat she held from 2005–2011. She will be a heavy favorite in the general election to replace Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who vacated the seat to run for Senate. The 8th district, which includes Elgin, Schaumburg, and Des Plaines, leans strongly Democratic.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Sun-Times live election night coverage. Melissa Conyears-Ervin backed by $5 million from United Democracy Project super PAC in the 7th District race, but ultimately finished second. Melissa Bean in the 8th District received $7.2 million in outside spending — highest of any candidate.

Governor of Illinois

NBC Chicago post-primary roundup confirms Pritzker won the Democratic gubernatorial primary unopposed and will face Republican Darren Bailey in a November rematch. Pritzker's $12M+ investment in Stratton's Senate campaign paid off with her primary victory — NBC called the result a major validation of Pritzker's political influence in Illinois.

IL Senate

NYT post-victory profile of Stratton's Senate primary win. She vowed to bring 'this fight straight to Donald Trump's door' and reiterated her call for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to step aside from his leadership role. Stratton said she had not heard from Schumer since her victory, though he released a congratulatory statement. Krishnamoorthi conceded at his watch party, saying he would offer 'full support on the road ahead.'

IL Senate

Lynn Sweet post-primary column notes Robin Kelly finished a distant third in the Senate primary (18.1%) despite a late PAC boost from Krishnamoorthi-linked super PACs intended to peel votes from Stratton. Sweet frames the result as a cautionary tale for candidates who run purely on anti-Trump messaging without grassroots organization.

Assessor

Both candidates accuse each other of accepting questionable donations (Fox32 Feb…

Assessor

A new Cook County Treasurer report shows property taxes doubled the inflation rate over 30 years. The findings reinforce Hynes' campaign argument that the assessment system under Kaegi has failed Cook County homeowners.

IL Senate

Krishnamoorthi conceded at approximately 9:30 p.m., becoming the most prominent loser in an 11-candidate Democratic field despite outspending Stratton dramatically. His strategy of being 'the most electable' progressive failed as Stratton's ICE abolition stance won the night.

Board President

Mayor Johnson's introduction of a $54.7M property tax incentive for the 1901 Project/United Center development highlights ongoing tensions between large commercial property tax breaks and the Cook County assessment system. Cook County Board President Preckwinkle — whose administration oversaw the Tyler Technologies property tax system overhaul — governs county budgeting processes that depend on accurate and equitable assessment revenue. The proposal comes as newly elected Assessor Pat Hynes (who defeated Kaegi in the March primary) prepares to take office.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois is considering legislation to allow regulators to stop excessive car insurance premiums before they hit consumers — currently only Wyoming and Illinois lack this authority. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias commented on the reform effort, which aligns with his consumer protection platform. The story notes Illinois is one of only two states where insurance regulators cannot preemptively block excessive rates.

Governor of Illinois

NBC News confirms Bailey as Republican nominee for governor, setting up a general election rematch-style contest against incumbent Pritzker, who seeks a third term ahead of a possible 2028 presidential run.

U.S. House (IL-08)

The NYT polling tracker for Illinois' 8th Congressional District shows Democratic nominee Melissa Bean holding a strong lead over her Republican opponent heading into the November general election. Among the primary-era candidates named in polls were Bean (comeback bid), Junaid Ahmed (progressive, backed by Sanders/Warren), and Kevin Morrison (Cook County official). Bean won the primary and now leads general election matchup polls.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Tribune reports La Shawn Ford defeated Melissa Conyears-Ervin and 11 other candidates in the IL-07 Democratic primary. Conyears-Ervin called Ford to concede as he arrived at the Letter Carriers headquarters on the South Side. AIPAC-aligned PAC spent heavily backing Conyears-Ervin over Ford; the result was a significant loss for AIPAC's Chicago-area spending.

Governor of Illinois

Fox News reports Pritzker scored a significant political victory as his endorsed candidate Juliana Stratton won the Illinois Senate Democratic primary. Pritzker's top political adviser said 'A lot will be written about JB Pritzker tomorrow — and for good reason.' Pritzker ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for governor.

IL Senate

CNBC national coverage of Stratton's Democratic Senate primary win. Covers her victory speech calling to 'abolish ICE' to cheering supporters, her background as the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Illinois history, and the contest as a test of Gov. Pritzker's political power. She defeated 10 other Democratic candidates including Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly.

IL Senate

Post-primary analysis reveals Robin Kelly finished third with 18.1% statewide. She received 24.74% in Chicago (second to Stratton's 43.94%), 21.04% in suburban Cook, and only 10.94% downstate — illustrating the geographic limits of her candidacy beyond her base in the 2nd Congressional District.

Assessor

Jerry Reinsdorf — $42K

individual donation of $42K to Fritz Kaegi

Assessor

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

IL Senate

Politico reports Stratton's win as historic, noting she will likely become Illinois' fourth Black senator. Krishnamoorthi's $29M campaign — backed by AI industry, crypto, and AIPAC interests — fell short of Stratton's grassroots-plus-Pritzker coalition.

Board President

Gov. Pritzker headlined the Gridiron Club dinner in Washington, trading jokes and deflecting 2028 presidential speculation. The piece notes Pritzker's political operation backed both his own uncontested third-term primary win and Stratton's Senate primary — Preckwinkle, as Cook County Dem Party chair, is part of the same establishment coalition. Pritzker's post-primary positioning is directly tied to Cook County's political landscape.

IL Secretary of State

The April 8 Politico Illinois Playbook highlights that Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is sitting on a massive $18.2 million in his statewide campaign account — money he could quickly repurpose if he jumps into the 2027 Chicago mayoral race. Fresh fundraising numbers are due next week. The story frames Giannoulias as a top-tier potential entrant alongside Rep. Mike Quigley, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and businessman John Kelly.

Governor of Illinois

Politico Illinois Playbook morning-after briefing notes Pritzker was immediately out with ads targeting Bailey, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, the morning after the primary. Pritzker's campaign is framing the November governor's race as a sharp contrast on abortion rights, education funding and economic policy against Bailey, who lost to Pritzker by 11 points in 2022.

U.S. House (IL-08)

NBC News projects Melissa Bean the winner of the Democratic primary in Illinois' 8th Congressional District. Bean's win was described as a triumph for big-money outside groups that spent heavily in her favor over progressive challenger Melissa Conyears-Ervin in the open-seat race vacated by Rep. Krishnamoorthi's Senate run.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Post-primary roundup confirms La Shawn Ford defeated Melissa Conyears-Ervin in the crowded IL-7 Democratic primary. Conyears-Ervin had been one of the AIPAC-backed candidates in Chicago-area primaries — WBEZ reported the group poured $13.7M into Chicago-area races. Ford won without major outside spending.

Governor of Illinois

Hard feelings linger among Black leaders and the Congressional Black Caucus after Pritzker's financial support lifted Juliana Stratton to victory over their preferred candidate in the Democratic Senate primary, raising tensions as Pritzker eyes a national political future.

IL Senate

The 19th News covers Stratton's Senate primary win from a gender and racial equity lens. Notes she will now face former Illinois Republican Party chair Don Tracy in November's general election. Stratton thanked fellow candidates in her victory speech and pivoted immediately to the general election.

IL Senate

The killing of Loyola student Sheridan Gorman by a Venezuelan immigrant suspect puts Chicago sanctuary policy back at the center of national politics. Kelly, who vacated her 2nd Congressional District seat to run for Senate, ran on a platform of maintaining humane immigration policy. Her loss and the Gorman case together test how Democrats will navigate immigration in November.

Assessor

Peter Ehrich — $41K

individual donation of $41K to Fritz Kaegi

Assessor

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.

IL Senate

The Guardian reports on Stratton's Senate primary win. Rep. Krishnamoorthi conceded at his election night event: "Obviously this is not the result we sought, but unlike Donald Trump I'm not going to question the outcome. I am honored at the support we received from every corner of this state." Krishnamoorthi finished second with ~35% of the vote.

Board President

Rich Miller's post-primary analysis of high Democratic and low Republican primary turnout confirms Cook County's political direction ahead of the November general election. Preckwinkle faces Libertarian Michael Murphy and no Republican challenger in the November general. The Democratic surge in the primary confirms she will cruise to her fifth term as Cook County Board President — there is no viable November threat.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued a public warning about a growing wave of scam texts and phone calls impersonating his office, attempting to trick residents into sending money or sharing sensitive personal information. The warning was widely distributed across state media including Effingham Radio and NBC Chicago.

Governor of Illinois

NBC News confirms the general election matchup: Darren Bailey vs. JB Pritzker. The piece notes Illinois has proven difficult terrain for Republicans, who have been locked out of all statewide offices for eight years. Democrats hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers.

U.S. House (IL-08)

In one of the night's most-watched races, Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin lost the IL-07 Democratic primary to state Rep. La Shawn Ford despite a $5M+ independent expenditure campaign by AIPAC's United Democracy Project. Ford won with ~26.8% in the crowded 13-candidate field; Conyears-Ervin came in second with ~17%. The loss signals limits of AIPAC's spending power in progressive Chicago districts.

Governor of Illinois

Analysis of how Pritzker's financial backing and endorsement was the decisive factor in Stratton's Senate primary win, also boosting Margaret Croke in the comptroller race. Pritzker brushed aside national media coverage framing him as kingmaker.

IL Senate

Analysis of Stratton's primary victory geography: she won 44 of Chicago's 50 wards and performed strongly in suburban Cook County and downstate Illinois, with broad support across Black, Latino, and white voters.

IL Senate

Rich Miller's post-primary analysis of Republican collapse and Democratic surge in suburban collar counties is relevant context for Kelly's future political positioning. Kelly finished third in the Senate primary (18.4%) and remains an IL-02 incumbent; the Democratic turnout surge in suburban counties validates the broader anti-Trump wave Kelly has positioned herself within throughout her career.

Assessor

Michael Fenstermacher — $39K

individual donation of $39K to Fritz Kaegi

Assessor

Illinois' response to Trump's immigration crackdown — with Gov. Pritzker coordinating with Democratic governors and Mayor Brandon Johnson issuing executive orders limiting ICE's reach following Operation Midway Blitz — is being cited as a blueprint for Democratic resistance nationally.

IL Senate

AP News covers Krishnamoorthi's concession at his election night watch party after losing the Illinois Democratic Senate primary to Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. He conceded with wife Priya Bala at his side, saying 'Unlike Donald Trump I'm not going to question the outcome' and pledging full support for Stratton in the general election.

Board President

The Illinois House is set to vote on a bill banning new ICE detention facilities near schools, parks, and homes — extending the policy fight Preckwinkle has led at the county level, where she banned ICE agents from using Cook County-owned properties including courthouses and parking lots.

IL Secretary of State

Sec. of State Giannoulias announced nearly $950K returned to Illinois investors as part of a $19M multi-state settlement with five major brokerage firms charged with unfair fees on small stock trades.

Governor of Illinois

CBS News projects Darren Bailey wins the Illinois Republican gubernatorial primary, setting up a direct rematch against incumbent Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker — the same matchup from 2022 in which Pritzker won by 11 points. Bailey will need to significantly broaden his support beyond his conservative downstate base to compete in November.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Following her defeat in the IL-07 Democratic primary, Melissa Conyears-Ervin returns to her role as Chicago City Treasurer. Her current term runs through May 2027. She was one of several candidates backed by AIPAC's United Democracy Project in Illinois races — all of whom lost on March 17.

Governor of Illinois

Politico profiles Pritzker as the decisive force in the Illinois primary, spending heavily to back Stratton while positioning himself as a national Democratic leader opposing Trump. Raises questions about Pritzker's 2028 presidential ambitions.

IL Senate

How Pritzker's endorsement and financial support was the decisive factor in Stratton's Senate primary victory. The story examines Stratton's path forward to the general election and the political dynamics of the Pritzker-Stratton ticket.

IL Senate

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic Senate primary, defeating Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Kelly finished a distant third as CBC-backed candidate. Stratton is now the heavy favorite for the seat.

Assessor

Thomas Roberts — $33K

individual donation of $33K to Fritz Kaegi

Assessor

The Chicago Tribune editorial board confirmed Patrick Hynes defeated incumbent Fritz Kaegi in the Democratic primary for Cook County Assessor, framing the upset as a voter rebuke of Democratic governance on property taxes. A County Treasurer report found property taxes have doubled the rate of inflation over 30 years, which was central to Hynes' campaign. Hynes now heads to the November general election as the presumptive next Cook County Assessor in a deep-blue county.

IL Senate

CNBC national coverage of the Illinois Senate Democratic primary result. Krishnamoorthi, the early frontrunner who raised $30.5M and was the second-highest fundraising federal candidate this cycle, fell to Stratton after her late surge powered by Pritzker's independent expenditure PAC and anti-ICE messaging dominated the final weeks of the race.

Board President

Cook County Treasurer Pappas' report shows property tax levies doubled inflation over 30 years, hitting $19.2B in 2024. As Cook County Board President, Preckwinkle faces renewed scrutiny over the county's fiscal and tax policy heading into her reelection.

IL Secretary of State

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued a public warning about rising scam calls and texts impersonating Illinois state government offices, urging residents not to provide personal or financial information in response to unsolicited contacts claiming to be from state agencies.

Governor of Illinois

Politico post-primary analysis of Gov. Pritzker's political power play. After spending millions to elect Stratton to the Senate, Pritzker turns full attention to his own general election rematch with Bailey. The piece frames Pritzker as the dominant force in Illinois Democratic politics heading toward November, with Bailey representing the only significant hurdle to Pritzker's third term.

U.S. House (IL-08)

Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin conceded the Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District to Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford on election night. Conyears-Ervin was one of several candidates vying for the open seat vacated by retiring Rep. Danny Davis. Ford, a progressive state legislator from Chicago, will advance to the November general election.

Governor of Illinois

CNN analysis of Pritzker's $5M investment through Illinois Future PAC to boost Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the Senate primary, and what it means for his potential 2028 presidential run. CBC Chair Yvette Clarke warned 'his behavior in this race won't soon be forgotten by any of us.' The piece frames Pritzker's primary wins as a show of statewide political dominance — while also creating new tensions with Black political leaders in Washington.

IL Senate

Politico covers how Pritzker's support lifted Stratton to the Democratic Senate nomination, with national implications for the Illinois governor's political future.

IL Senate

AIPAC saw mixed midterm results in Illinois: backed winners Melissa Bean (IL-08) and Donna Miller (IL-02), but faced criticism after failing in the two races where it spent the most money.

Assessor

Pat Hynes defeated incumbent Fritz Kaegi in the Cook County Assessor Democratic primary, earning 52.6% (328,143 votes) vs. Kaegi's 47.4% (296,296 votes), per AP results with 89.2% estimated votes in and 100% of precincts reporting. Hynes advances to the November general election as the Democratic nominee.

IL Senate

BBC international coverage of Stratton's Senate primary win. Notes Krishnamoorthi 'took a more measured stance' on immigration, calling for abolishment of 'Trump's ICE,' while Stratton won on a more full-throated progressive anti-Trump platform. Race drew global attention as a test of whether immigration fury could drive Democratic primary outcomes.

Board President

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced Illinois investors will receive nearly $950,000 as part of a $19 million multi-state settlement with five major brokerage firms accused of charging excessive commissions on small-dollar stock trades. The settlement underscores Giannoulias's use of the Secretary of State's securities enforcement powers — a feature of his term that has boosted his profile ahead of his November reelection bid.

Governor of Illinois

Sun-Times post-primary analysis notes Pritzker, flush with his Senate primary success, is now "laser-focused on his rematch with Bailey, who wiped out the GOP governor field just like he did four years ago before losing mightily to Pritzker." The piece frames Bailey as a decided underdog in the November general election against Pritzker in deep-blue Illinois.

Governor of Illinois

Fox News covers Black Democratic leaders' criticism of Pritzker's $5M push to elect Stratton, which sidelined CBC-backed Rep. Robin Kelly. The anger could create headaches for a future presidential run according to political analysts quoted in the piece.

IL Senate

Tribune post-primary profile frames the November general election matchup: Stratton vs. Republican nominee Don Tracy, former Illinois Republican Party chair. If she defeats Tracy, Stratton would become just the sixth Black woman — and second from Illinois — elected to the U.S. Senate. The race is rated solidly Democratic.

IL Senate

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.

Assessor

CBS Chicago reports a Morgan Park family's property tax bill spiked 300%, and Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes — 'poised to become the next Cook County Assessor after defeating Fritz Kaegi in last month's Democratic primary' — commented on the case, calling the increase unreasonable. The story highlights the property tax chaos that defined the assessor primary race and that Hynes has pledged to fix.

IL Senate

Post-primary tensions: Congressional Black Caucus aligned with Krishnamoorthi's campaign expressed frustration at Pritzker's role in boosting Stratton over the CBC's preferred candidate.

Board President

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.

IL Secretary of State

Secretary of State Giannoulias released a study exposing insurance pricing inequities — seniors and those with poor credit scores face higher premiums based on ZIP code. A bill passed the state House that would require the Illinois Dept of Insurance to review auto and home insurance rate hikes over 10% and order refunds where customers were overcharged.

Governor of Illinois

WBEZ analysis of Stratton's primary win notes her strength in suburbs and downstate Illinois — a coalition-building achievement that reflects Gov. Pritzker's political machine. The piece includes context on the general election matchup setting up Bailey's rematch against Pritzker.

Governor of Illinois

CNN post-primary takeaways: Lt. Gov. Stratton's Senate win was also a win for Gov. JB Pritzker, while big-spending groups got mixed results. Pritzker's backing of Stratton is framed as a strategic test of his political reach and his 2028 presidential prospects.

IL Senate

Tribune geographic analysis of Stratton's March 17 primary win. The AP called the race for Stratton at 9:38 p.m. Don Tracy won the Republican nomination, defeating five other GOP hopefuls. Race now moves to a November general election rematch in a safely Democratic state.

IL Senate

Illinois' response to Trump's immigration crackdown — with Gov. Pritzker coordinating with Democratic governors and Mayor Brandon Johnson issuing executive orders limiting ICE's reach following Operation Midway Blitz — is being cited as a blueprint for Democratic resistance nationally.

Assessor

A Morgan Park family's Cook County property tax bill tripled from $7,000 to $24,000. Pat Hynes, 'who just won the Democratic primary to become Cook County's next assessor,' commented that the spike likely resulted from the Loop office exodus reducing commercial property values — and shifting the tax burden onto residential homeowners. Hynes has pledged to reform the assessment methodology to prevent this kind of residential overburdening.

IL Senate

Fox News reports that Raja Krishnamoorthi, who made affordability a centerpiece of his campaign, held his election night watch party at a venue charging $13 for water. The irony drew mockery online and from conservative media. Krishnamoorthi had told Chicago's PBS station that rising costs were the most pressing issue facing Illinois voters. He conceded to Juliana Stratton on election night, ending his Senate bid.

Board President

Illinois' response to Trump's immigration crackdown — with Gov. Pritzker coordinating with Democratic governors and Mayor Brandon Johnson issuing executive orders limiting ICE's reach following Operation Midway Blitz — is being cited as a blueprint for Democratic resistance nationally.

IL Secretary of State

Mayor Brandon Johnson holds only $813K versus Giannoulias's $18.3M war chest, underscoring the massive fundraising gap as the 2027 Chicago mayoral race takes shape.

Governor of Illinois

Republicans including gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey criticized Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for 'sanctuary city' policies after Sheridan Gorman's murder by a Venezuelan migrant who had prior contact with Chicago police. Bailey called Gorman's death 'preventable' and blamed Pritzker's 'soft on crime policies.' Democrats fired back arguing national immigration failures contributed to the tragedy.

Governor of Illinois

Sun-Times analysis of Pritzker's role as kingmaker after Stratton's Senate primary win. Pritzker brushed aside 'kingmaker' characterizations publicly but is seen as having significantly boosted Stratton through a $5M late infusion to the Illinois Future PAC. Story notes Pritzker is gearing up for his November rematch against Republican nominee Darren Bailey while weighing a potential 2028 presidential bid.

IL Senate

Post-primary analysis: Stratton's coalition included Chicago and downstate voters; Krishnamoorthi conceded after 9:30 PM and pledged full support for her general election campaign.

IL Senate

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

Assessor

Cook County officials predicted second-installment property tax bills will again be delayed, with Preckwinkle declining to commit to a timeline. The delay stems partly from the assessor's office data pipeline — a challenge Hynes, as assessor-elect, will inherit when he takes office.

IL Senate

Post-election analysis: describes Krishnamoorthi's flat election night atmosphere. He took the stage after 9:30 PM to formally concede, calling Stratton before AP called the race. Stratton won with support from Chicago and downstate.

Board President

Politico frames Gov. Pritzker as the 'king of Illinois' after his $5M investment helped elect Juliana Stratton as Senate nominee — a race where Preckwinkle, as Cook County Democratic Party Chair, was part of the establishment coalition. Pritzker and Preckwinkle now share a strengthened November slate.

IL Secretary of State

Giannoulias joined WGN Radio to discuss his 'Driving Change' initiative aimed at making car insurance more equitable for Illinois families, addressing how age, credit score and ZIP code drive up premiums unfairly.

Governor of Illinois

Lynn Sweet post-primary column implicitly frames the challenge for Pritzker and Stratton in November — their anti-Trump messaging will be tested against Republican opponent Darren Bailey, who has already begun attacking Illinois sanctuary policies. Bailey is positioned to run a law-and-order, anti-sanctuary campaign in the November governor's race against the renominated Pritzker.

Governor of Illinois

Politico Illinois Playbook morning-after briefing notes Stratton victory cements Pritzker's clout heading into November. Pritzker is immediately out with new ads targeting Darren Bailey, the Republican gubernatorial nominee. House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel says the win shows Pritzker 'has coattails.'

IL Senate

Detailed Capitol News Illinois post-primary breakdown of Stratton's Senate Democratic primary win. Stratton built a 20-point advantage in Chicago over Krishnamoorthi and also outperformed expectations downstate. Analysis credits Pritzker's late $5M infusion to Illinois Future PAC and coordinated labor/party ground game for the win.

IL Senate

Cook County Treasurer's report shows property tax levy doubled inflation over 30 years. Relevant to Robin Kelly as she transitions from her Senate primary loss — the Cook County property tax crisis was a backdrop throughout the campaign she ran in. As a future potential candidate, her policy positions on Cook County fiscal issues will matter.

Assessor

John Bodendorfer of Oakk Construction was sentenced to probation for bribing a Cook County assessor's office commercial group leader, Lavdim Memisovski, who reduced property assessments for associates in exchange for free home renovations and gifts. The case — part of a larger probe involving former Ald. Carrie Austin — is a reminder of the entrenched corruption Hynes, as assessor-elect, will need to confront when he takes office.

IL Senate

Capitol News Illinois analysis of Stratton's Senate win. Krishnamoorthi conceded on election night after Stratton built a commanding lead. Krishnamoorthi, who had vastly outraised Stratton and was considered the early front-runner, was outspent in the final stretch by Pritzker-backed super PAC spending and lost despite a $30M+ war chest.

Board President

CBC members targeted Pritzker over his intervention on behalf of Stratton against CBC-backed Robin Kelly. As Cook County Democratic Party Chair, Preckwinkle navigates this intraparty tension — she has relationships with CBC members and also shares the winning Pritzker-Stratton ticket going into November.

IL Secretary of State

The Illinois Senate unanimously passed Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias' e-bike legislation, which would establish safety and registration standards for electric bicycles in Illinois. The unanimous passage signals broad bipartisan support and adds to Giannoulias' legislative record ahead of a potential 2027 Chicago mayoral run, where he currently leads all potential candidates with $18.3M in campaign cash.

Governor of Illinois

"JB Pritzker's soft on crime policies must come to an end," Bailey said in a statement after 18-year-old Loyola student Sheridan Gorman was killed allegedly by a Venezuelan immigrant. Bailey called on Trump and Pritzker to work together on immigration enforcement. The case gives Bailey a high-profile vehicle to run against Pritzker's sanctuary city policies heading into the November general election.

Governor of Illinois

NYT analysis of how Pritzker's $5M-plus investment in Juliana Stratton's Senate campaign paid off, demonstrating his ability to move voters and raise his national profile. The piece notes that the Illinois primary results underscore Pritzker's clout more than Stratton's own campaign strengths, framing the win as a rehearsal for a potential 2028 presidential run.

IL Senate

Chicago Tribune post-primary spending analysis covers Stratton's Senate win as the most significant outcome of the $30M+ outside money race. Pritzker's $5M investment in Stratton is cited as the decisive outside intervention of the cycle, with the piece noting AIPAC's losses in IL-07 and the Senate race contrasted with wins in IL-02 and IL-08.

IL Senate

Politico profiles political strategist Quentin Fulks, who engineered Juliana Stratton's Senate primary win over better-funded rivals Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Stratton's Illinois Future PAC (funded by $5M from Gov. Pritzker) outmaneuvered Krishnamoorthi's $30M campaign and Fairshake's $10M pro-Krishnamoorthi crypto PAC. The piece frames the result as a masterclass in strategic spending over raw dollar advantage.

Assessor

The Real Deal's analysis of the Chicago Bears megaproject stadium bill highlights the broader property tax reform stakes in Cook County. The article cites Patrick Hynes' primary victory over two-term incumbent assessor Fritz Kaegi as a key political inflection point, noting that the unpredictability of the county's triennial reassessment system — which creates wild swings in taxpayer costs — was 'a major factor in Patrick Hynes' unseating of two-term incumbent Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi in last month's Democratic primary election.' The coverage frames Hynes' election as voter demand for a more stable, transparent assessment system.

IL Senate

Post-primary analysis covers Krishnamoorthi's loss to Stratton in the Democratic Senate primary despite his fundraising advantage and early polling lead. The piece notes that outside spending from AIPAC-linked groups did flow to Krishnamoorthi in the Senate race, but the governor's $5M investment in Stratton proved more decisive in shifting the outcome.

Board President

Chicago-area officials including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle accused ICE of carrying out arrests at the Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse in defiance of Illinois law. Preckwinkle said she is working with the Cook County Sheriff's Office to determine what can be done to hold ICE agents accountable. ICE showed up at the courthouse on April 2 and also arrested a woman there on March 13.

IL Secretary of State

Chicago Tribune editorial board praised Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias' e-bike legislation, which regulates the fastest and most high-powered e-bikes and defines and regulates other micromobility devices such as scooters, skateboards, and unicycles. The editorial called it a 'smart step' on safety policy, offering positive coverage for Giannoulias as he builds his legislative record ahead of a possible 2027 Chicago mayoral run.

Governor of Illinois

Rich Miller's post-primary analysis is a sobering read for the Bailey campaign: Republican primary turnout in DuPage County fell 32% vs. 2022 and is down 49% vs. 2014. Lake County GOP turnout collapsed 48%. Will County: -33%. Democratic turnout surged across all five major suburban counties. Miller notes these patterns signal steep headwinds for Bailey's November general election run against Pritzker in a state where suburban Republicans have been fleeing the party.

Governor of Illinois

NBC News reports that Pritzker's success in the Illinois primary — backing Stratton against the CBC's preferred candidate and the well-funded Krishnamoorthi — has solidified his reputation as a 'powerhouse' figure in the Democratic Party, accelerating speculation about his potential 2028 presidential ambitions.

IL Senate

Capitol Fax columnist Rich Miller analyzes the March 17 primary upsets, leading with Juliana Stratton's Senate primary victory over the heavily-funded Raja Krishnamoorthi. Krishnamoorthi spent an estimated $29M on TV ads and had $10M in crypto-industry PAC backing against Stratton. Miller notes Stratton's broader coalition and message discipline overcame a 3-to-1 spending disadvantage.

IL Senate

Rep. Robin Kelly placed third in the Democratic Senate primary with 18.1% (218K votes) behind Stratton and Krishnamoorthi. Kelly was the only candidate to lead in a county (Kankakee) through the night. NYT analysis noted concern that Kelly would split Black voters with Stratton, which may have contributed to Stratton's broad coalition win.

Assessor

David Carlins — $40K

individual donation of $40K to Pat Hynes

IL Senate

Capitol Fax columnist Rich Miller analyzes the March 17 primary upsets, leading with Juliana Stratton's Senate primary victory over the heavily-funded Raja Krishnamoorthi. Krishnamoorthi spent an estimated $29M on TV ads and had $10M in crypto-industry PAC backing against Stratton. Miller notes Stratton's broader coalition and message discipline overcame a 3-to-1 spending disadvantage.

Board President

Toni Preckwinkle won the Cook County Board President Democratic primary decisively, capturing 68.6% of the vote (444,626 votes) against challenger Brendan Reilly, who received 31.4% (203,071 votes), per AP results with 91.3% of estimated votes in and 100% of precincts reporting. Preckwinkle advances to the November general election.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias partnered with school districts, transportation providers, and First Student — the largest nationwide school transportation provider — to address the school bus driver shortage. The initiative focuses on streamlining CDL licensing through the Secretary of State's office and expanding hiring pipelines. Giannoulias facilitated the cross-sector connection that brought school districts and First Student together to improve driver recruitment and retention.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois House Democrats advanced a bill banning new ICE detention centers near homes, schools, and parks — a direct contrast to Bailey's pro-enforcement immigration stance. Bailey has called on Pritzker to end sanctuary policies following the Sheridan Gorman killing; this bill will be a flashpoint in the governor's race.

Governor of Illinois

Chicago Tribune post-primary analysis of outside spending across all major Illinois races. Pritzker's $5M+ investment in Stratton is featured as the most impactful single intervention — helping propel a relatively low-profile lt. governor past a better-funded congressman. The piece notes Pritzker's spending aligned with his broader goal of expanding his national political footprint.

IL Senate

Congressional Black Caucus members are venting frustration that Pritzker's financial intervention tilted the Senate primary toward Stratton and away from Robin Kelly, the CBC's endorsed candidate. The CBC's Yvette Clarke called it 'beyond frustrating.' While a win for Stratton, the controversy adds a party unity headache heading into the general election against Republican Don Tracy — with CBC members signaling they won't forget the slight going into 2028.

IL Senate

The April 2 Politico Illinois Playbook marks the first major post-primary political roundup. Robin Kelly, who came in third in the Senate primary with 18.4% of the vote, conceded on election night. Her political future — including whether she seeks re-election to her House seat or seeks another run — has not yet been confirmed.

Assessor

Illinois Hotel-Motel PAC — $30K

pac donation of $30K to Pat Hynes

IL Senate

Politico examines how Gov. Pritzker's multi-million dollar intervention tipped the Senate race to Stratton and denied Krishnamoorthi a victory he'd been building toward for years. The frontrunner raised more than anyone in the race but was outmaneuvered by late immigration-focused attacks and the governor's weight on the scales.

Board President

Chicago Tribune reports ICE agents were spotted at the Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse, in apparent violation of an Illinois law barring civil immigration arrests at or near courthouses. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle cited the state law and stated the ICE presence 'fits a pattern from President Donald Trump's administration.' The courthouse ICE activity is part of a broader escalation following Operation Midway Blitz and contradicts Preckwinkle's long-standing sanctuary position.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released a study detailing how auto insurance companies are using non-driving factors — such as credit score, occupation, and education level — to increase costs for Illinois drivers. Giannoulias stated: 'This study puts hard data behind what Illinois drivers already know — insurance companies are using factors that have nothing to do with how safely you drive to jack up your rates.' The study is part of Giannoulias's consumer protection and affordability platform as he seeks his second term as Secretary of State.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

Governor of Illinois

Capitol Fax columnist Rich Miller analyzes the March 17 primary upsets, leading with Juliana Stratton's Senate primary victory over the heavily-funded Raja Krishnamoorthi. Krishnamoorthi spent an estimated $29M on TV ads and had $10M in crypto-industry PAC backing against Stratton. Miller notes Stratton's broader coalition and message discipline overcame a 3-to-1 spending disadvantage.

IL Senate

Sun-Times post-primary analysis of Pritzker's role in Stratton's Senate primary win. Notes Stratton faces Republican nominee Don Tracy (former Illinois Republican Party chair) in November in deep-blue Illinois — giving her a clear path toward becoming only the sixth Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate.

IL Senate

Rep. Robin Kelly finished third in the Illinois Democratic U.S. Senate primary with 18.1% (218,133 votes), behind winner Juliana Stratton (40.2%) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (33.1%), per AP results with 94.3% estimated votes in. Kelly had been seen as an outside contender but could not overcome Pritzker's organizational support for Stratton.

Assessor

SEIU Council PAC Fund — $30K

labor donation of $30K to Pat Hynes

IL Senate

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin opposing the agency's decision to rescind the Endangerment Finding, warning it would weaken protections against harmful pollution and expose Illinois families to greater health risks and economic costs. Krishnamoorthi wrote: 'Rescinding the Endangerment Finding abdicates that responsibility and disregards decades of settled science and established law.' This is one of several legislative actions Krishnamoorthi has taken in his remaining House term following his loss in the March 17 Senate primary.

Board President

WGLT and Capitol News Illinois report that Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and local advocates are sounding the alarm over ICE agents targeting the Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse. Preckwinkle stated the ICE strategy 'directly impedes the ability of our courts to advance justice' and said she called both the chief judge and Cook County Sheriff to address the agent's courthouse presence. Advocates warn the targeting will deter domestic violence survivors from seeking legal protection.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued a renewed statewide warning about a surge in scam texts and phone calls impersonating the Secretary of State's office. Fraudulent communications are targeting Illinois motorists and attempting to obtain personal and financial information under false pretenses. Giannoulias urged residents not to click suspicious links or provide sensitive data in response to unsolicited contacts claiming to be from the Secretary of State's office.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker publicly condemned AIPAC and special interest money that poured into Illinois ahead of the March 17 primary — including from the pro-Israel group he once supported. The statement is notable given Pritzker's own history backing AIPAC and his potential 2028 presidential ambitions, as he attempts to reposition himself as an opponent of outside PAC influence.

IL Senate

PBS NewsHour reports Juliana Stratton won Tuesday's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, edging out two sitting members of the U.S. House — Reps. Krishnamoorthi and Kelly — to advance to a November general election against Republican nominee Don Tracy, the former state party chair. If she wins in November, Stratton would become the 15th Black U.S. senator in American history.

IL Senate

Comprehensive WBEZ primary results coverage: Stratton wins the Senate seat, Krishnamoorthi finishes second. Robin Kelly finishes third. Race tested Pritzker's influence after he backed Stratton with cash infusion to Illinois Future PAC.

IL Senate

After conceding to Juliana Stratton in the Illinois Democratic Senate primary, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi — who represented Illinois' 8th Congressional District since 2017 — will serve out his final term in the House through January 2027. His IL-08 seat is being succeeded by Democratic nominee Melissa Bean. Krishnamoorthi offered his 'full support on the road ahead' to Stratton. He remains active on House oversight, EPA climate issues, and energy policy in his remaining months.

Board President

The Illinois Accountability Commission, created by Gov. Pritzker, has formally requested current and former Trump administration officials testify at hearings probing Operation Midway Blitz. Cook County Board President Preckwinkle, who accused ICE of violating Illinois law at the Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse (April 2), is part of the same institutional response pushing accountability for federal immigration enforcement overreach.

IL Secretary of State

A Suffolk-Tribune poll highlighting Mayor Brandon Johnson's unfavorability ahead of the 2027 mayoral race reveals Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has built an $18.3 million campaign bankroll, far outpacing other potential candidates and underscoring his front-runner status for a Chicago mayoral bid.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois' response to Trump's immigration crackdown — with Gov. Pritzker coordinating with Democratic governors and Mayor Brandon Johnson issuing executive orders limiting ICE's reach following Operation Midway Blitz — is being cited as a blueprint for Democratic resistance nationally.

Governor of Illinois

Washington Post covers Pritzker's prominent Gridiron Club speech, noting he addressed the ongoing speculation about his dramatic weight loss with a joke and positioned himself as a leading potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate. The speech followed his successful primary cycle in Illinois where he backed Juliana Stratton to the Senate nomination.

IL Senate

NBC News projects Juliana Stratton as the winner of the Illinois Democratic Senate primary. She will face former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy, whom NBC News projects as the Republican Senate primary winner, in the November general election. The seat, held by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin since 1997, is expected to remain Democratic.

IL Senate

With Kelly giving up her 2nd Congressional District seat to run for U.S. Senate, 11 candidates competed to replace her. Donna Miller is projected to win the Democratic nomination in the IL-02 race. Kelly's Senate bid ultimately came in third (18.1%) behind winner Stratton (40.2%) and runner-up Krishnamoorthi (33.1%), leaving her seat open for a successor.

IL Senate

Wikipedia article updated March 23 with final primary results: Krishnamoorthi finished second behind Stratton with approximately 36% of the vote, despite raising $28.5 million — the largest Senate primary war chest in the race. At his election night event, Krishnamoorthi conceded and offered 'full support on the road ahead' to Stratton.

Board President

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said ICE's targeting of the domestic violence courthouse 'directly impedes the ability of our courts to advance justice.' She confirmed she personally called the Cook County chief judge and Cook County sheriff after learning federal agents had been spotted at the courthouse. The story follows earlier April 2-3 reports of ICE presence and marks Preckwinkle's most direct public statement on the matter.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias hosted the inaugural Business Services Resource Fair at Malcolm X College, drawing over 500 entrepreneurs and connecting them with licenses, funding opportunities, and business growth resources. The event underscores Giannoulias' focus on small business outreach as he eyes higher office.

Governor of Illinois

Cook County Treasurer report shows property taxes doubled inflation over 30 years. Darren Bailey, who has run on anti-tax, limited government messaging, is likely to use this report in his attack on Pritzker's gubernatorial record — particularly the school funding structures that drive property tax increases. A direct ammunition piece for Bailey's November campaign.

Governor of Illinois

Politico Illinois Playbook notes that fresh off primary victories for Stratton and Preckwinkle, Pritzker traveled to Washington to speak at the Gridiron Club dinner — historically a launchpad for politicians with higher ambitions. The piece catalogues the governor's rising national profile and continued 2028 presidential buzz.

IL Senate

CBC chair gave a measured congratulation to Stratton after her Senate primary win. The CBC had backed Rep. Robin Kelly and warned Gov. Pritzker against his millions in support for Stratton — creating friction heading into the general election campaign.

IL Senate

As Kelly competed in the Senate primary, a crowded field including Jesse Jackson Jr., Donna Miller, and Robert Peters vied to take over her IL-02 seat. Donna Miller ultimately won the Democratic nomination, succeeding Kelly in the race to represent the 2nd Congressional District.

IL Senate

Post-primary geographic analysis confirms that three Krishnamoorthi-aligned super PACs boosted Robin Kelly's visibility in the final weeks in a spoiler strategy aimed at taking votes from Stratton. The tactic failed: Stratton still won 40.1% statewide to Krishnamoorthi's 33.2% and Kelly's 18.1%. Krishnamoorthi performed best in the collar counties (DuPage: 42%) but fell short in the suburban Cook County numbers he needed.

Board President

Tribune editorial critical of Mayor Johnson's head tax proposal also flags that Gov. Pritzker's FY2027 budget cuts localities' share of state income taxes from 6.47% to 6.28% — directly squeezing Cook County's revenue. As Cook County Board President, Preckwinkle's budget is affected by the state income tax share reduction Pritzker is advancing.

IL Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released a study revealing that auto insurance companies use non-driving factors — such as ZIP code and occupation — to significantly increase costs for Illinois drivers, disproportionately impacting lower-income communities and communities of color.

Governor of Illinois

Congressional Black Caucus members are openly attacking Gov. Pritzker over his interference in the Democratic Senate primary. The intraparty fracture — between Pritzker's wing and CBC members — is a dynamic Darren Bailey's Republican campaign will look to exploit as he attempts to win November's gubernatorial race against the incumbent governor.

Governor of Illinois

Chicago Tribune editorial acknowledges the Gorman murder's political dimensions while calling on officials including Pritzker and Mayor Johnson to prioritize honest systemic accountability over partisan point-scoring. The board criticizes how political agendas are threatening to subsume the legitimate policy failures that contributed to the tragedy.

IL Senate

CNN post-primary analysis: Stratton's win was also a win for Gov. JB Pritzker, while big-spending PAC groups got mixed results in Illinois contests. Crypto PAC that spent $10M against Stratton lost; AIPAC-aligned spending had mixed outcomes.

IL Senate

Chicago Tribune reports the growing House Democratic push to invoke the 25th Amendment against Trump, including from Illinois Democrats. Robin Kelly — who lost the Illinois Senate primary to Stratton and retired from her IL-2 congressional seat — is now out of office. Her former 2nd District seat is now sought in the general election by Democratic nominee Donna Miller, who won the March 17 primary. The Trump escalation that triggered this story is the same political environment Kelly campaigned in.

IL Senate

Lynn Sweet analysis of the post-primary Democratic landscape notes Krishnamoorthi's defeat as part of a broader pattern where nationalizing the race and leaning on special-interest PAC dollars did not compensate for Stratton's organizational strength and Pritzker's financial support. Krishnamoorthi had raised over $10M but was outmaneuvered in the coalition-building that ultimately drove turnout.

Board President

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new apartment units for residents with disabilities in Palos Heights, alongside Palos Heights Mayor Robert Straz. The event highlights Preckwinkle's ongoing role as Cook County's incumbent executive heading toward the November general election, which she is heavily favored to win with no Republican challenger.

IL Secretary of State

Former Ald. George Cardenas announced an exploratory committee for a mayoral run, which could divide the Latino vote. The Sun-Times notes Giannoulias, the front-runner with $18.3M in his war chest, is among the biggest potential losers if the field grows more crowded.

Governor of Illinois

Post-primary coverage confirms Darren Bailey clinched the Illinois Republican gubernatorial nomination by running up huge margins in rural downstate counties. Bailey, who lost to Pritzker by 11 points in 2022, enters the general election as an underdog in Democratic-leaning Illinois. His path to victory depends on depressing Democratic turnout and maximizing rural and exurban margins.

Governor of Illinois

West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park abruptly closed its ER and inpatient units March 25, furloughing hundreds of employees after running out of cash due to a broken electronic medical records billing system. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — a state agency under Pritzker — criticized the hospital's 'lack of advance notice,' and the closure threatens access to care for Medicaid and Medicare patients on Chicago's west side. The closure, following Weiss Memorial's shutdown seven months earlier, compounds a growing crisis in Illinois safety-net hospital access during Pritzker's third term.

IL Senate

Final certified primary results: Juliana Stratton won the Democratic Senate nomination with 40.1% of the vote, defeating Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Robin Kelly. Republican Don Tracy won the GOP primary with 39.9% of the vote. Stratton will be the heavy favorite in November — Democrats have not lost a Senate race in Illinois since 2010.

IL Senate

Gov. Pritzker appeared at Al Sharpton's National Action Network convention in New York, joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. The appearance comes weeks after CBC members publicly slammed Pritzker for backing Juliana Stratton over CBC-endorsed Robin Kelly in the Illinois Senate primary. Kelly's allies in the CBC have demanded Pritzker justify the intervention, with Sen. Cory Booker noting Pritzker's financial advantage distorted the Democratic process.

IL Senate

Gov. Pritzker's Gridiron Club speech further cements his political identity as a 2028 contender and post-primary kingmaker — which directly shapes Krishnamoorthi's post-concession standing. Krishnamoorthi, who said at concession he would fight for Illinois in the House, is now viewed as a key Democratic ally in the congressional minority. Pritzker's rise benefits or complicates any future Krishnamoorthi political moves.

Board President

The April 8 Politico Illinois Playbook reveals that Secretary of State Giannoulias is sitting on $18.2M as Chicago mayoral 2027 buzz builds. Cook County Board President Preckwinkle — facing no Republican challenger in November — operates in the same regional political ecosystem where a potential Giannoulias mayoral run would reshape the Democratic establishment map. As Cook County Democratic Party chair, Preckwinkle would be a major force in any 2027 mayoral endorsement.

IL Secretary of State

Politico's Illinois Playbook reports two additional names entering the Chicago mayoral mix, listing Giannoulias among the juggling campaigns for Chicago mayor in 2027.

Governor of Illinois

Darren Bailey won the Illinois Republican gubernatorial primary with 53.5% (301,390 votes), defeating Ted Dabrowski (28.9%) and James Mendrick (9.6%), per AP results with 95.2% estimated votes in. Bailey, who lost to Pritzker in 2022, will rematch the incumbent governor in November.

Governor of Illinois

Following remarks to agriculture industry leaders Tuesday in Springfield, Gov. JB Pritzker told reporters that a Bears stadium deal 'needs to happen sooner rather than later.' Illinois lawmakers are working on a 'megaproject' bill to help the Bears build a new $5B stadium complex in Arlington Heights. Arlington Heights Mayor Tinaglia had warned the Bears may only wait until end of March for a Springfield deal. Pritzker's push comes as the White Sox also seek public funding for a South Loop ballpark and the Bulls/Blackhawks seek a tax break for the United Center district.

IL Senate

Sun-Times geographic analysis of the March 17 primary results shows Stratton won 44 of Chicago's 50 wards and led across majority-Black (50%), Latino (41%) and white (41%) wards. She led in suburban Cook County by a thin 35.9%-35.4% margin over Krishnamoorthi, and outperformed expectations downstate (41.4% to Krishnamoorthi's 36.4%). Her coalition was broader than her campaign had anticipated, aided significantly by Gov. Pritzker's $5M PAC support.

IL Senate

Rep. Robin Kelly conceded defeat after finishing third in the Illinois Democratic Senate primary, behind winner Juliana Stratton and second-place Raja Krishnamoorthi.

IL Senate

The CTA filed a federal lawsuit to recover $2B in withheld funding for the Red Line extension to 130th Street. Krishnamoorthi, as House member for IL-08 (which includes suburban Cook), has been a vocal critic of federal funding withholdings; although the Red Line extension is in IL-02 territory (not his district), federal transit funding fights affect his suburban constituents and are part of his legislative platform as he remains in Congress.

Board President

As Cook County Democratic Party Chair, Toni Preckwinkle is part of the unified Illinois Democratic institutional response to the Trump Iran escalation. Chicago Tribune reports dozens of Democrats — including Illinois Rep. Krishnamoorthi and initiated by Gov. Pritzker — are calling for Trump's removal via 25th Amendment after his threats to destroy Iran. Preckwinkle holds the same party chairmanship position that makes her a key institutional backer of this Democratic consensus heading into November.

IL Secretary of State

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias opened Illinois' first-ever Business Services Center in Chicago, offering same-day LLC filings, document authentication, and other services as part of his ongoing office modernization push.

Governor of Illinois

As Trump's sweeping tariffs trigger stock market volatility and farmer anxiety, downstate Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey — who built his base in agricultural southern Illinois — faces mounting pressure to either defend or distance himself from Trump's trade policy. Bailey ran his primary on pocketbook issues and tried to create distance from Trump; tariff fallout tests that positioning heading into the general.

Governor of Illinois

U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin granted the CTA's temporary restraining order against the federal Department of Transportation, which had frozen over $3 billion in funds for the Red Line extension to 130th Street and the nearly-complete Red-Purple Modernization project since October. The ruling is a major win for the Pritzker administration's infrastructure agenda and for South Side communities who depend on the extension project. CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen called it 'a massive step toward restoration of funding for this historic project.' The Trump DOT had withheld funds while reviewing CTA contracting for alleged race and sex-based discrimination.

IL Senate

The murder of Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman by a Venezuelan migrant who had prior contact with Chicago police triggered a political firestorm on March 25. Democrats including Stratton, who won the Senate primary on an anti-Trump immigration messaging platform, now face pressure to defend sanctuary city policies ahead of the general election. Republican Senate challenger Don Tracy and gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey are using Gorman's death to attack Illinois Democrats on crime and immigration enforcement — a direct challenge to Stratton's core general election narrative.

IL Senate

Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) voted for the War Powers Resolution to stop Trump's war against Iran. The House narrowly defeated the measure 213-214, with Republicans unified in opposition. Kelly said: 'President Trump entered a war against Iran with no strategy, no exit plan and no legal authority.'

IL Senate

WBEZ reports Stratton defeats Krishnamoorthi in Senate primary. Krishnamoorthi spent $29M on ads but was outperformed in Chicago, suburban Cook, and downstate. In his concession speech he called the US 'the greatest country on Earth.' Krishnamoorthi was also outspent by Stratton's Pritzker-funded ground game in the final weeks.

Board President

Beverly Review's primary night roundup confirms Toni Preckwinkle retained the Cook County Board President seat in the Democratic primary, alongside other incumbents including Thomas Dart and Maria Pappas.

Governor of Illinois

After winning the Republican gubernatorial primary with 53.5% of the vote, Darren Bailey is pivoting to the general election against Gov. JB Pritzker. Bailey outlined his campaign vision focused on affordability, public safety, and education. He said engaging younger voters (ages 20-35) will be critical: 'That 20-to-35 age group is the one we need to reach.' Bailey expressed optimism about his campaign and his message of opening up the Governor's mansion again, calling Pritzker's third-term bid a sign of Democratic entrenchment.

Governor of Illinois

Lynn Sweet post-primary column quotes Pritzker at his election night victory celebration: "Friends, this is the fight of our lives. Everything we care about is under siege from Washington." Pritzker won an uncontested third-term Democratic primary and is credited with helping Stratton win the Senate race through $5M in PAC support. Sweet questions whether Democrats have the power to actually stop Trump beyond the rhetoric.

IL Senate

Illinois House committee advanced a bill barring new ICE detention centers from residential areas — a direct win for Stratton's signature anti-ICE campaign platform. As the Democratic Senate nominee, Stratton pledged to 'abolish ICE' during her primary campaign. House Speaker Welch's testimony in favor mirrors the anti-deportation messaging that powered Stratton's late surge in the primary.

IL Senate

Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) forcefully pressed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about Medicaid budget cuts at the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing, raising concerns about impacts on Black maternal health outcomes.

IL Senate

The killing of Loyola student Sheridan Gorman by a Venezuelan immigrant suspect has reignited the immigration debate that dominated the Senate primary Krishnamoorthi lost. His platform of "abolishing Trump's ICE" rather than abolishing ICE outright — a distinction that defined his contrast with Stratton in the primary — is now being re-examined in the context of this high-profile crime.

Board President

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued a statement of condolence after Barbara A. Deer, 51, and Kaleb D. Deer, 23 — the widow and son of former Cook County Board Commissioner Dennis Deer — were found fatally shot in an East Garfield Park home on April 14. Preckwinkle said: 'There are no words that can make sense of such pain.' The killings draw attention to ongoing community violence in Cook County, a key public safety issue that Preckwinkle faces as Board President heading into the November general election.

Governor of Illinois

Politico reports House Speaker Welch told lawmakers Illinois' $2.2B structural budget gap has 'gotten worse' since Gov. Pritzker's February budget address. Bailey's general election campaign against Pritzker centers on economic management and affordability — the worsening fiscal picture gives him a potential attack line heading into the fall campaign.

Governor of Illinois

Capitol Fax columnist Rich Miller's analysis of March 17 primary turnout data shows Democratic turnout in DuPage County surging 45% vs. four years ago and up 586% vs. 2014, while Republican turnout dropped 32%. Lake County saw a 48% Republican collapse and 27% Democratic gain. Will County: -33% GOP, +33% Dem. The patterns broadly favor Pritzker's reelection path against Bailey in November in suburban collar counties that have trended blue since 2018.

IL Senate

The fatal shooting of 18-year-old Loyola student Sheridan Gorman by a Venezuelan immigrant suspect reignites Chicago's sanctuary debate. As Senate nominee, Stratton — who ran on abolishing ICE — faces immediate pressure on her core immigration platform. Darren Bailey (her likely November opponent) called for Pritzker to end sanctuary policies. Stratton has not yet responded publicly to the Gorman case as of March 24.

IL Senate

Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) voted against the Republican Farm Bill, citing $187 billion in SNAP cuts and failure to help farmers. 'Republicans jammed through a Farm Bill that steals food from the mouths of children, ignores rising grocery costs, and does not protect farmers from President Trump's tariffs,' Kelly said.

IL Senate

Former Rep. Melissa Bean won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 8th District, the seat vacated by Krishnamoorthi when he launched his Senate bid. Bean defeated progressive challengers with heavy AIPAC support.

Board President

Lt. Gov. candidate Christian Mitchell published a Tribune op-ed April 15 making the case for Pritzker's third term, citing the administration's record on healthcare, housing, and economic recovery. As Cook County Board President, Preckwinkle's relationship with the Pritzker administration on Medicaid funding, CountyCare, and county health is directly tied to the outcomes Mitchell highlights. The op-ed underscores the alignment between state Democrats and Preckwinkle's Cook County priorities.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. Pritzker called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked after Trump threatened to bomb Iran's power plants and bridges. Bailey, as the Republican gubernatorial nominee who has aligned with Trump, faces a sharpening contrast with Pritzker on national security and presidential fitness heading into the November general.

Governor of Illinois

A 41-day DHS funding impasse has stalled TSA pay and put ICE agents at O'Hare checking travelers' IDs. Trump announced an order to pay TSA agents via executive action after Congress stalled. Senate Democrats refused to fund DHS without changes to immigration enforcement. The federal crisis directly impacts Illinois, where ICE has already conducted Operation Midway Blitz. Gov. Pritzker has been positioned as a leading Democratic counterweight to Trump's immigration enforcement operations.

IL Senate

Lynn Sweet column post-primary: Stratton's win is framed as a test of whether Illinois Democrats can translate anti-Trump, abolish-ICE messaging into actual legislative wins when they have little power in Washington. Sweet notes the challenge of Stratton's bold progressive platform against a Senate chamber dominated by Republicans.

IL Senate

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, condemned the FDA's decision to authorize the sale of mango and blueberry flavored Glas e-cigarettes, saying the FDA 'caved' to Trump pressure. Kelly warned the decision targets Black youth and communities, citing higher rates of heart disease and lung cancer in Black Americans from tobacco use.

IL Senate

CBC Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke issued a terse statement congratulating Juliana Stratton on her Senate primary win, while prominently praising Robin Kelly and implying intraparty tensions remain unresolved going into the general election.

Board President

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of a 1.5 MW solar installation at the Skokie Courthouse, completed by Ameresco. Preckwinkle said: 'This project demonstrates Cook County's commitment to leading by example when it comes to clean energy and responsible stewardship of public facilities.' The project is part of Preckwinkle's broader sustainability agenda heading into her fifth term as Board President.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. Pritzker's public call to invoke the 25th Amendment against Trump — following incendiary Easter weekend posts about potential military strikes on Iranian infrastructure — sharpens the ideological contrast heading into the November governor's race. Darren Bailey, who won the Republican gubernatorial primary running as a staunch Trump ally, now faces a general election framed around whether voters back Pritzker's anti-Trump resistance or Bailey's pro-Trump alignment. The April 8 Playbook notes Pritzker's call was echoed by other Illinois Dems and briefly aligned him with some far-right voices also alarmed by Trump's Iran rhetoric.

Governor of Illinois

House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch's bill to ban new ICE detention facilities near residential areas cleared committee 8-3. The legislation advances the anti-ICE policy posture that defined Illinois Democrats' primary messaging — a posture Pritzker championed — as he looks toward a potential 2028 presidential run.

IL Senate

Rich Miller's post-primary column shows Democratic turnout surging dramatically in DuPage (+45%), Lake (+27%), and Will (+33%) counties compared to 2022. The data broadly favors Stratton's path to the Senate seat in November against Republican Don Tracy, as suburban collar counties continue trending blue. Miller notes the Republican collapse is particularly acute in the suburbs where Trump's unpopularity and immigration enforcement have eroded GOP base.

IL Senate

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.

Board President

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle declined to predict when second-installment property tax bills would go out, saying 'there's no way to predict that at this moment in time' — pushing back on the treasurer's office which had suggested a timeline.

Governor of Illinois

Chicago Tribune's April 9 report on Democrats calling for Trump's removal via 25th Amendment or impeachment — driven by Gov. Pritzker — sharpens the general election contrast for Bailey (R) vs. Pritzker (D) in November. Bailey is the Republican gubernatorial nominee facing Pritzker. Pritzker's national anti-Trump positioning (he was first to call for the 25th Amendment over Iran threats on April 7) makes the November governor's race partly a referendum on that stance.

Governor of Illinois

Today's Illinois Playbook leads with Pritzker and Illinois Democrats framing the state as the flagship of anti-Trump resistance heading into the general election cycle, as Pritzker eyes both a third term and a potential 2028 presidential run.

IL Senate

The 41-day DHS funding impasse — which has ICE agents checking IDs at O'Hare terminals — is the exact policy battleground Stratton ran on as the only Senate candidate to support abolishing ICE. The TSA callout crisis (500+ TSA officers quit, 11% daily no-show rate) and Trump's unilateral executive action to fund TSA outside appropriations process validates Stratton's post-primary argument about the need for a Senate that will stand firm against executive overreach.

IL Senate

Illinois' response to Trump's immigration crackdown — with Gov. Pritzker coordinating with Democratic governors and Mayor Brandon Johnson issuing executive orders limiting ICE's reach following Operation Midway Blitz — is being cited as a blueprint for Democratic resistance nationally.

Board President

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued a statement of condolence after the wife and son of late Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer were found fatally shot in their Chicago home.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker told a conference of Black activists in NYC that Trump will send ICE agents to polling places and voters should 'push them aside.' The remarks, made April 9, sharpen the general election contrast between Pritzker and Republican nominee Darren Bailey, who has largely aligned with Trump on immigration and border security. Bailey has not yet responded publicly to Pritzker's ICE polling place warning.

Governor of Illinois

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

IL Senate

The Illinois House is set to consider a bill — passed through committee 8-3 on a party-line vote — banning new ICE detention centers within 1,500 feet of schools, churches, parks, and homes. The bill aligns directly with Stratton's campaign platform as the only primary candidate who called for abolishing ICE outright, and reinforces her general election contrast with Republican Don Tracy.

IL Senate

Illinois Republicans growing alarmed as Democrats outperform two-to-one in Kane and DuPage county primary turnout, mirroring a Florida seat flip from a GOP-held district near Mar-a-Lago. GOP operatives warn the trend could spell serious trouble in November.

Board President

Emails reveal Preckwinkle's office led an effort to get Cook County agencies to sign a statement 'responding to the recent actions and rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration.' O'Neill Burke declined to publicly denounce Trump in order to maintain ties with federal authorities.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. Pritzker appeared alongside Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at the National Action Network convention, drawing national attention to his anti-Trump profile ahead of the November rematch with Bailey. Pritzker warned Trump would send ICE agents to polling places — calls voters to push them aside — directly sharpening the contrast with Bailey, who backed Trump's immigration enforcement posture during the primary.

Governor of Illinois

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas' report reveals property taxes have doubled inflation over 30 years, now at $19.2B annually. As governor heading into a third term, Pritzker faces renewed pressure on the state's role in funding schools — the report specifically cites state underfunding of education as a root driver, requiring property taxes to compensate.

IL Senate

Former Rep. Melissa Bean won the Democratic primary for IL-08, defeating progressive challengers including Junaid Ahmed. Bean's win was powered by nearly $4M in AIPAC-aligned outside spending from a group called Elect Chicago Women.

IL Senate

Politico profiles political strategist Quentin Fulks, who engineered Juliana Stratton's Senate primary win over better-funded rivals Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Stratton's Illinois Future PAC (funded by $5M from Gov. Pritzker) outmaneuvered Krishnamoorthi's $30M campaign and Fairshake's $10M pro-Krishnamoorthi crypto PAC. The piece frames the result as a masterclass in strategic spending over raw dollar advantage.

Board President

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Cook County Health officials to recognize the 60th anniversary of the trauma unit at John H. Stroger Hospital. Preckwinkle said: 'For 60 years, the trauma team at Cook County Health and John H. Stroger Hospital has represented the very best of public service with an unwavering commitment to care for every person who needs it. This department helped transform trauma medicine in Chicago and across the nation, proving that world-class care and human dignity must go hand in hand.'

Governor of Illinois

Gov. Pritzker is intensifying attacks on Trump over Iran and DHS threats to withhold customs processing from sanctuary cities — framing that directly challenges Bailey's Trump-adjacent positioning. Bailey, who has publicly distanced himself from Trump while defending immigration enforcement, faces a difficult needle to thread in a rematch where Pritzker's national resistance brand continues to strengthen heading into November.

Governor of Illinois

Politico profiles political strategist Quentin Fulks, who engineered Juliana Stratton's Senate primary win over better-funded rivals Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Stratton's Illinois Future PAC (funded by $5M from Gov. Pritzker) outmaneuvered Krishnamoorthi's $30M campaign and Fairshake's $10M pro-Krishnamoorthi crypto PAC. The piece frames the result as a masterclass in strategic spending over raw dollar advantage.

IL Senate

AIPAC saw mixed midterm results in Illinois: backed winners Melissa Bean (IL-08) and Donna Miller (IL-02), but faced criticism after failing in the two races where it spent the most money.

IL Senate

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi finished second in the Democratic Senate primary with 33.1% (399K votes), behind Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (40.2%). Despite a $30M war chest and $10M in support from crypto-backed Fairshake PAC, Krishnamoorthi's money advantage could not overcome Stratton's coalition and Pritzker machine backing. He won DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry counties but lost Cook decisively.

Board President

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced the completion of the first electric vehicle (EV) charging installation through the County's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded EV Charging Initiative at the Cicero Public Library. The project is part of Preckwinkle's ongoing sustainability agenda as she heads toward her fifth term as Cook County Board President following her March 17 primary win.

Governor of Illinois

Pritzker's public broadsides against Trump over Iran war costs and gas prices further define the general election contrast with GOP nominee Bailey, who has aligned closely with Trump.

Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker won the Democratic gubernatorial primary uncontested, advancing to the general election. Pritzker faces Republican Darren Bailey in November. He is seeking a third term ahead of a potential 2028 presidential campaign.

IL Senate

Gov. JB Pritzker, fresh off backing two winning primary candidates including Juliana Stratton, attended the Gridiron Club dinner in D.C. and raised his national profile amid 2028 presidential buzz, joking about his weight loss and taking sharp jabs at Trump.