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

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