2026 Illinois General Elections: November 3, 2026

Key races & Issues

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Federal Offices

State Offices

State Legislature

Judicial Races

Federal Offices

State Legislature

State Offices

Judicial Races

Key Illinois 2026 races

The Illinois General Election: November 3, 2026

What's on your ballot — and why it matters

This November, Illinois voters will choose a U.S. Senator, a Governor, all 17 members of Congress, and hundreds of state and local officials. These are the people who make decisions about your healthcare, your housing, your schools, and immigration policy.

Unlike a presidential election, a midterm puts state and local power front and center. The offices on this ballot control the state budget, enforce civil rights laws, decide how easy it is to register to vote, and determine whether Illinois stands up to or cooperates with federal immigration enforcement. Every vote counts — and in many of these races, your district's margin can come down to a few hundred votes.

This November, Illinois voters will choose a U.S. Senator, a Governor, all 17 members of Congress, and hundreds of state and local officials. These are the people who make decisions about your healthcare, your housing, your schools, and immigration policy. Every vote counts.

Federal Offices

U.S. Senate

  • The U.S. Senate is one of two chambers of Congress. Each state has two senators who serve six-year terms. Senators vote on federal laws, confirm presidential appointments (including federal judges and Cabinet members), and ratify treaties. They also vote on the federal budget, which funds programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance.

  • This is an open seat — Senator Dick Durbin is retiring after nearly 30 years. This is the first open Illinois Senate race since 1996. The candidates are Juliana Stratton (D), Illinois's current Lieutenant Governor, vs. Don Tracy (R), an attorney and former Illinois Republican Party chair.

  • The Senate is currently voting on immigration policy, healthcare funding, and cuts to federal programs that millions of Illinois families depend on. Who holds this seat will shape those votes for the next six years.

U.S. House of Representatives

  • The House is the other chamber of Congress. Illinois has 17 congressional districts, each represented by one member elected every two years. The House originates all federal spending bills — meaning it controls the budget for Medicaid, housing vouchers, food assistance, education, and more. It also votes on immigration legislation.

  • All 17 Illinois House seats are on the ballot. Five seats are open — meaning no incumbent is running — creating some of the most competitive races in the state:

    • IL-2 (South Side/South Suburbs) — open, Rep. Robin Kelly ran for Senate

    • IL-4 (Southwest Chicago/Cicero/Berwyn — heavily Latino) — open, Rep. Chuy García retired

    • IL-7 (West Side/Oak Park) — open, Rep. Danny Davis retired

    • IL-8 (Northwest suburbs) — open, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi ran for Senate

    • IL-9 (North Chicago/North Shore) — open, Rep. Jan Schakowsky retired

  • The House controls federal funding for the programs your family uses. Immigration enforcement bills, Medicaid expansions, and SNAP funding all start here. Who represents your district votes on your behalf — or doesn't.

    Find your district: → [house.gov district finder]

State Offices

Governor

  • The Governor is the chief executive of Illinois. The Governor signs or vetoes state laws, controls the state budget, appoints state agency heads, and sets the direction for state government. The Governor also has the power to deploy the National Guard and issue executive orders.

  • This is a rematch. JB Pritzker (D) is seeking a third term against Darren Bailey (R), the same Republican he defeated by 12 points in 2022. The key issues: cost of living, property taxes, public safety, and healthcare. Pritzker has positioned Illinois as a state that protects immigrant communities; Bailey has focused on cutting spending and reducing taxes.

  • The Governor controls state spending on Medicaid, housing, and education. Illinois's immigrant-protective policies — including the TRUST Act and access to state healthcare programs regardless of immigration status — are maintained or reversed at the state level.

Attorney General

  • The Attorney General is the state's chief law enforcement officer and top lawyer. The AG enforces state laws, represents Illinois in court, and can sue the federal government when federal actions violate Illinois residents' rights.

  • Kwame Raoul (D) is seeking a third term. Born in Chicago to Haitian immigrants, Raoul has led over 20 lawsuits against the federal government since 2025 — including challenges to Trump's birthright citizenship executive order, ICE enforcement tactics, and federal funding freezes targeting Illinois. His office has also enforced the TRUST Act, which limits local law enforcement cooperation with ICE.

  • The AG is one of the most important offices for immigrant communities right now. This office decides whether to sue the federal government when it oversteps — and under Raoul, Illinois has been on the front lines of those legal battles. The AG also enforces wage theft laws and worker protections that directly affect Latino workers.

Secretary of state

  • The Secretary of State manages driver's licenses, vehicle registration, business registration, and — critically — voter registration. The Secretary of State oversees how easy or hard it is to register to vote in Illinois.

  • Alexi Giannoulias (D) is seeking reelection. He has expanded automatic voter registration and mobile DMV services, including kiosks at grocery stores in Latino neighborhoods.

  •  The Secretary of State controls the infrastructure of voting in Illinois. This office determines how accessible voter registration is, what IDs are accepted, and how the state maintains voter rolls — all of which are live issues right now with federal pressure to purge rolls and add citizenship requirements.

Comptroller

  • The Secretary of State manages driver's licenses, vehicle registration, business registration, and — critically — voter registration. The Secretary of State oversees how easy or hard it is to register to vote in Illinois.

  • Alexi Giannoulias (D) is seeking reelection. He has expanded automatic voter registration and mobile DMV services, including kiosks at grocery stores in Latino neighborhoods.

  •  The Secretary of State controls the infrastructure of voting in Illinois. This office determines how accessible voter registration is, what IDs are accepted, and how the state maintains voter rolls — all of which are live issues right now with federal pressure to purge rolls and add citizenship requirements.

treasurer

  • The Secretary of State manages driver's licenses, vehicle registration, business registration, and — critically — voter registration. The Secretary of State oversees how easy or hard it is to register to vote in Illinois.

  • Alexi Giannoulias (D) is seeking reelection. He has expanded automatic voter registration and mobile DMV services, including kiosks at grocery stores in Latino neighborhoods.

  •  The Secretary of State controls the infrastructure of voting in Illinois. This office determines how accessible voter registration is, what IDs are accepted, and how the state maintains voter rolls — all of which are live issues right now with federal pressure to purge rolls and add citizenship requirements.