Illinois voters participated in the 2026 primary elections on March 17, with key races including the U.S. Senate seat, where Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton won the Democratic nomination to face Republican Don Tracy. The gubernatorial primary set up a rematch between incumbent JB Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey, while several closely contested Democratic congressional primaries in the Chicago area highlighted ideological divides, particularly over Israel policy. Notable outcomes included Melissa Bean’s political comeback in the 8th District and tight races in the 7th and 9th Districts, reflecting shifting dynamics within Illinois politics ahead of the general elections.
Posts tagged as “Cook County State’”
Brandon Johnson, a progressive Cook County commissioner and organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union, has been elected mayor of Chicago, overcoming a major fundraising gap, accusations of "defunding" the police, and public polling that predicted his defeat. His victory marks a major shift in the city's politics, as he has promised to focus on issues such as police reform, economic inequality, and education, and to invest in communities that have been neglected for too long.
Chicago voters denied incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot a second term on Tuesday, setting the stage for a runoff election between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson. Lightfoot faced criticism over a spike in crime during the pandemic and her leadership style, while voters expressed concerns about the city’s slow recovery and public safety. The April 4 runoff election will decide who will lead the city for the next four years.
Chicago is set to hold a hotly contested mayoral election on Tuesday, with incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot facing off against four other contenders, including progressive Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. Lightfoot has had a contentious relationship with teachers’ and police unions, while Johnson is endorsed by the Chicago Teachers’ Union. With no candidate expected to top the 50% necessary to avoid a runoff, the race is expected to go to an April 4 runoff between the top two vote-getters.
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx has announced the dropping of sex-abuse charges against R. Kelly, citing limited resources and court time. Kelly is already serving a 30-year prison sentence on federal charges, and is expected to remain in prison for the remainder of his life. Despite the charges being dropped, Kelly still faces a civil lawsuit in Minnesota and a federal lawsuit in New York.